9. Angel Eyes
9
ANGEL EYES
I take the last drag of my cigarette before taking the end and putting it out against the skin of my wrist. The burn mark sits on top of thick scarring of past burns created just like this. The pain feels nice. Familiar even. When it’s out, I shove the butt into my pocket. No need to leave evidence behind if I can help it.
The sky overhead grows lighter. Sunlight will be snaking its way through the trees soon. The light will force me to vacate the premises. But I hold out. Staring at the beastly house on top of the hill, I wonder what’s taking so long. Usually, when it’s just the one, he sticks around for about two or three hours tops before dipping out and prowling around in the funeral home.
But tonight, he’s brought his brother. It’s an unexpected change of habit. From what I’ve gathered over the past few months, of the three men who keep creeping into Chicago, onto my old stomping grounds, it’s only been the one brother that’s been keen to snoop around here. The others don’t seem to care about this place. But they’re both here tonight. What does that mean? And what about the other? Their third is out tonight, killing in my city. I contemplated sending people after the fucking twink but thought better of it. Killing that one might spook off the other two, and then I’ll never find out why they’re here.
Because it’s certainly not just to kill.
What are Thatcher and Sagan Hunt and their little boy toy up to? Clearly it has something to do with Patrick Hunt, their father, since this is where he lives with his wife and stepdaughter. But what exactly is ‘it’? I’m curious. I haven’t been this interested in anything for a long time. It’s nice to feel the wheels in my head turning once more. I was beginning to feel my age there for a bit. Now that’s changed. I have a new hobby: stalking the Hunt twins to figure out their game. I won’t tolerate much more of their killing, but for now, I want to see what they’re doing so I’ll let them play in my playground a little while longer.
As I let go of the smoke in my lungs, I watch as the back door finally opens. Two shadowy figures emerge from the house. Neither seems to be in a hurry as they stroll down the hill in my direction. They draw close but dip into the trees a few yards away from me.
I smile as I turn to follow them through the woods.