Visitor in the Night

A cool, crisp breeze chills the killer to the bone as he creeps along the edge of the woods towards his victim's house. The frigid night is a lingering reminder of the long, hard winter they've just faced. With record-breaking snowfalls and feel like temps well below zero for weeks, many thought it'd never end. I hope spring gets here soon, he thinks. He throws his arms around himself and continues.

Dogs bark frantically in the distance, warning everyone about the danger lurking nearby. The prowler is too busy planning his attack to pay them any mind. I'm going to have a little fun with Mrs. Maroni before sending her to where she belongs. He pictures the scenario in his mind and smiles. I'll have her begging for forgiveness for everything she's done. Maybe then she'll know what it feels like to be weak and defenseless, the way my mama did.

His mother was under investigation for exporting drugs. The Maroni's smuggled her out of the country, claiming they're saving her life. His mother didn't realize that their charity was for their own personal gain; free labor and nightly romps in the sack with the mister in exchange for room and board.

The family deserves everything I'm going to give them. Making my poor mama believe that her babies died at birth. Then making her disappear to keep her quiet. Maroni was worried that she knew too much, and with nothing left to lose, she'd run to the cops.

Well, tonight, I'm getting justice for my mama and everyone else the family has harmed through the years. I'm preventing future harm too.

Luigi was told about how the Maroni's treat their staff. Overworking them for little pay. Being illegals, with a price tag on their head, the hired hands knew any retaliation would lead to their demise.

With a quick look around, he carefully slips around to the edge of the house. Taking a piece of paper from his pocket, he taps in the security code. The world will be free of all the Maroni's before long. His eyes twinkle at that thought. Luigi made sure Mr. Maroni was taken care of on the plane. He recalls what the autopsy report said. He had a heart attack, alright, but it's not like what anyone thinks. Luigi smiles again.

The doctor ruled the cause of death as a myocardial infarction, but he didn't know the circumstances behind it. They believed he died while pleasuring his secretary what they didn't realize what he was getting a hefty dose of calcium chloride during his act.

"His demise was worth every cent."

Slipping through the door. He makes his way up the stairs stopping at his half-sister's room. He steps inside to find the full moon shining brightly through the window, making it easier for him to see. This will be a piece of cake, he thinks, watching the girl's chest lazily rise and fall. Which one of these spoiled brats should I take care of first?

Like their parents, they're self-serving with little regard for anyone else. The girls will be just like them someday; he heard their nanny complain. He knew he had no choice but to take care of them too. Otherwise, the vicious cycle will start again. Securing his silencer in place, he turns towards the oldest and squeezes off two rounds.

"Marla?" the youngest girl asks, rolling towards her sister. Seeing a tall, burly figure between them, the frightened child screams.

Spinning around, Luigi pumps two bullets into the little one's chest. Her pint-sized body collapses against the bed. Now to finish the job.

Luigi is heading towards the door when he hears footsteps stomping down the hall; he darts back into the shadows and waits.

"Marie honey, are you alright?" a monotone voice asks as she steps through the door. Luigi grabs her arm and jerks the rounded woman against him. He places his hand over her mouth, his gun against her head. Cocking his gun, he says, "Yell, and you'll end up like them." He turns the shaken woman towards the girls. "Understand?"

She finds her daughter's lifeless bodies sprawled out across the sheets. Blood is seeping from their jammies onto the bed. Tears stream down her face. She gulps and then nods.

"Good, let's go." He's dragging her towards the door when he sees shadows dancing along the darkened hall. So much for getting revenge. He pulls the trigger. Mrs. Maroni collapses on the floor in front of him. Looking up, he discovers people coming from every which way. I don't have enough bullets to take care of them.

Running to the window, Luigi throws it open. The alarm sounds all around him. He hoists his leg over the windowpane then nervously glances down. I could be plunging to my death. He looks back to see two rounded figures nearing the door. Several more are close behind. I can either spend the rest of my life in prison or take a chance and jump? Luigi glances at the door and then the ground again. Deciding on the latter, he pushes off the window; his body plummets to the ground.

"They're dead; all three of them are dead." Luigi hears a woman cry from the window above him. He looks up to find red and blue lights filling the evening sky; sirens howl all around him. I've got to get out of here. Pain surges through every inch of his body as he crawls across the trampoline; the cops are now just a few blocks away. Gritting his teeth, Luigi eases himself to the ground; He tries to take a step, his legs buckle. His body falls to the soil. I can't go out like this. I can't, he thinks, attempting to stand.

***

Rachel is on the edge of her bed; her gun pointed towards the window. She hears the noise again. Her hands begin to tremble, her insides quiver, her heart pounds in her chest, not knowing who's on the other side. I've been trained for situations like this. She tries to treasure herself. She takes a deep breath, hoping to calm her nerves. She hears the noise again. Cocking her weapon, she takes a shooter's stance. I'm ready for you now, she thinks.