The Theme [1]

Almost instantly he missed the warmth of his dark room as he stepped out into the rain and into the dreary cold. Pulling his hood up, he turned the alley and walked to his car. He didn't like the rain so much today. Any other time, he would have gladly sat in the rain, smoking it away, deep in his own thoughts. But not tonight. The lights were on in the car lots, for that he was thankful. He lit a cigarette and took his time, drying off a bit before he unlocked the car doors, climbed in and started the engine. It purred, somehow telling him tonight it wasn't in the mood to run about in the muck. He was bored. He looked around the car, his eyebrows raised in childish humor as he spotted a pair of shades in the passenger seat. He smiled, slid them on, reached for the stereo, and listened for a while. Switching channels, he found that it was basically rubbish after 12 pm. He fumbled in the glove box for anything of interest and his hands rested on a disc. It was blank, he had no idea what was on it. Mumbling to himself, he put it on the stereo hoping it was something worth his time, something that suited his mood. It was. Malakai, he remembered it now. Smiling, he moved the car out of the shade and drove off.

He sat in the car, waiting. He was in another parking lot, this time without lights. It frustrated him slightly. He sat there waiting. It was early. The song and the rain made him forget time completely. Music pumped through steel and metal from the club across the lot, he had to turn up his own to ease the tension. He got ready. Patting down his pants, checking he had everything. He did. He always did. Hesitantly, he switched the engine off, stepped out of the car and slowly walked towards the flashing lights the club had on. The song still ran through his mind as he walked, he smiled, pulled down his hood. His shades were still on although it was dark, he just felt like keeping them on tonight. As he drew closer to the club, the girls recognized him and he them, all but one. This one was new, tall, voluptuous, fresh. He didn't like that. The girls looked down when he was at the entrance, but as he was about to enter, a hand stopped him. There were few things he detested in life, and this somehow was new to him. He usually got his way.

"Where ya think ya goin stud? This is for members only and you don't look like nothing of the sort."

She pushed him back.

"Beat it loser, now."

She was unaware of the looks the other girls were giving her. Stares of shock and horror. He saw them, and was amused somewhat. He stared at her through his glasses, saying nothing.

"What ya staring it huh? You like my tits?"

She grabbed her bosom and shook them.

"Like it yeah? Ain't no man the sort of ya will be coming near any tits."

She laughed, walked up to him and her leg swung up. If it had been a sport she would've hit some points, but no. She hit cold hard metal. There was a tiny crunch as she made contact, probably a bone or two crushed. There were gasps from the other girls. Hilarious now. But his anger flared. With a rush, he grabbed her throat, savagely choking her and slammed her into the wall behind her. As he held her, inch by inch, the knife hidden in the sleeves of his jacket crept toward her throat. Her eyes were fearless, but as she felt the blade prick her soft skin, her eyes were now defiant, with a hint of fear. His right hand was pressed to her belly, he mvoed it up to her chest and grabbed the soft perky flesh. It felt good under his skin. He moved closer to her and whispered in her ear.

"Not coming near any tits did ya say? Ironic isn't it?

Then he slowly slid his hands down her body, in between her legs. He felt her, smooth, silky. He tightened his grp, gently grabbing her. But her eyes had changed. No more defiant, no more fearless. Her eyes were scared as his hands felt her womanhood, his fingers prodding her though not entering her. He paused, looked into her eyes. He leaned forward again, closer.

"Virgin?"

She nodded, tears gathering in her eyes. He moved his hand away, placing it on her hip. In that second, by the will of madness, she had gone through him. Images rushed through his mind, feelings poured in, overflowed and ran empty. He noticed a girl beside him, Mary.

"Don't hurt her please. She's my little sister, she's all I got, please."

It was genuine. But he had never intended to hurt her. His job lay waiting, she had been a distraction, nothing more. He released his grip on the young one. She backed slightly away, breathing heavy. He turned to Mary.

"This is no place for someone so young. Why did you bring her here?"

"We don't have no place to stay for a bit. Times are hard y'know? We've been living up on Old Street, renting a place till I get sorted out. Or at least till I sort her out. I'm sorry, Dren, She didn't know who you are. I was going to say something but...."

"Forget it."

He stared at her, the young one, then turned to Mary again.

"Tell her to stay and wait for me till I get out. It won't be long."

Mary's eyes grew wide. He knew what she was thinking.

"Nothing of the sort Mary. Just tell her."

Mary nodded. He took one last glance at her, then went in.

The hardest thing about killing someone is that it's so easy. It's simple. Dealing with it is complicated to most, but for some, simple as well. He might as well be a machine. He got what he wanted. He exited he club, leaving it the same way he came in, music blaring, the real losers dancing their lives and money away. At the doors, the new shift of girls had taken over, they all knew him still and smiled fearfully at him. Jenny, one of the first girls he knew here, was a bit cheeky. She was standing further off from the doors, with her head cocked to one side, her eyes squinting at him, typical of her, just cheeky. She wasn't like the other girls, scared, she just lived her own life, didn't care about the rest. Feeling absurdly generous, he walked to her, handed her a small bag, ruffled her hair and turned to the lots. The bag contained at least a few hundred grand and a few pack of smokes he had grabbed off the victim. Without turning around she knew how she was reacting. First, wonder, second, shock, third, disbelief, fourth, amazement, fifth, probably gratitude, sixth? He didn't care. She needed it more. Her heard her heels clanking, running to wards him. He smiled as he turned around. She jumped on him, planting sloppy kisses all over his face, thanking him profusely. He looked at her as she looked at him, then they kissed. There was no emotion whatsoever of the romantic sort. It was just pure pleasure. Knowing that there are people in this world that look out for you is pleasure enough.

He looked around for the young one and spotted her. She was leaning with her leg up the wall some distance away from the club, near his car. She saw him, and he beckoned her to get in. As he watched her, he saw how beautiful she was. Her make up was messy, it made her look attractive somehow. As they got in the car, he knew she was still scared. Her older sister had probably told her who he was and what he might to do them both if she hadn't done what she was told. The fact she actually waited for him meant she had heard of him, but just did not know what he looked like. It was a reputation he wasn't proud of, but it just happened to be that way. He turned the music back on, turned it down, and drove off again, into the chilly morning and the heavy rain.

She was looking out the window, quiet. They hadn't said a word since they had left. He wasn't headed home, or anywhere. He wanted to drive. He wanted to think.

"Hungry?"

She jumped a little when he spoke, he almost burst out laughing at that. But he remained quiet. Stealing a peek, she looked almost awed at his question.

"Well? Are ya?"

"A little yeah..."

"Any place you'd like to have something? Anything, just name it."

She just looked at him in disbelief.

"Err, burgers. Yeah..."

"Burgers it is. There's a place at Winsley, called Splosh or something, good big burgers."

They were quiet again.