Chapter 5

She looked back, chills running down her spine, she was sure she was being followed, but all she saw was darkness. She couldn't believe it, the one day she decided to take the bus and some creep ends up following her. 'when I get out of this, I'm soo.. killing Trent', she thought, as she quickened her pace, she began to speed walk when she sighted the bus stop. Her eyes widened in horror as a hand covered her mouth from behind, she struggled to get away but the grip was too tight, another hand replaced the first, covering her face with a handkerchief this time. She wiggled her body as the person dragged her, she began to feel drowsy, she stopped resisting as she slowly passed out.

He took her to an alley and dropped her unconscious body by the trash, he looked at her, calculating which parts to cut. He pulled out a knife and stabbed her stomach several times, not satisfied, he began to cut open the stomach, he smiled as the inside of her stomach burst out, he put his mouth on her bleeding stomach. He licked the blood, it was warm. He picked up what seemed to be he intestine, fiddling with it, he opened her mouth and stuck the intestine down her throat, a part of it hanging on her lips, he kissed her, using his tongue to push in the intestine further down her throat, he stopped when it wouldn't fit. He picked up the knife and slit her throat, he twisted the knife in her neck creating a hole. He wiped the blood off the knife and threw it into the trash bin. He used is fingers to deepen the hole stopping when he was satisfied with his creation. He pulled his pants down and slipped on a condom, switching to a 69 position, he guided his penis into the hole he had just created. His mouth had already found its way to her clit assisting his fingers as he felt the inside of her clit, he began to thrust slowly, his speed increasing as he felt the blood gush. Excitement ran through his body as he felt himself ready to pop, he pulled out immediately, his breath on steady, he bit his lips and parted her legs with pride, his face filled with satisfaction, he took of the condom and poured alcohol on it, before sticking it into her slit throat.

Sterling leaned on his car as he watched Dr. Farleigh lock the building. He gave her playful smile as he waved at her, she rolled her eyes expressing her annoyance with his presence, she walked towards the car her annoyed expression not leaving her face.

"I said eight, you're late"

"were you waiting for me doctor?", he asked leaning towards her

"you wish smart mouth; I just don't like late appointments"

"well you're going to appreciate this one" he pointed at the already opened door, gesturing for her to get in"

"this better be worth it Sterling"

his eyes grew wide with excitement "that's the first time you've called my name, I'm rubbing off on you, aren't I?" he asked putting on his seat belt.

The drive was filled with them getting to know each other and unintelligent topics, Stephanie didn't want it to end. Seeing the once lip tight client in this informal sense gave her a sense of freedom. She needed this type of interactions occasionally, sitting in her office listening to different depressing stories and trying to find solutions for them was slowly wrapping her in a depressing story of her own. She woke up from her thoughts as Sterling opened the car door for her with a big smile, they had stopped at funny looking restaurant, it took her thoughts back to why she didn't like Sterling, she followed him inside, it was crowded yet you could barely hear their voices. They were ushered to a table by the window, she let her eyes run through the place, it was more unique than fancy. They difference from its cover was amazing, she let a smile creep through her lips but retreated it when she saw Sterling staring.

"what?"

"nothing. By the way if you like the way it looks just wait till you get a taste, no pun intended" he winked at her and gave out a soft chuckle

"who says I like the place?"

"either that or you have a fetish for buildings, you were basically drooling over the place"

"I don't know what you're talking about, but I guess you're back to being a smart mouth. I'm going to the bathroom"

He watched as they went into the restaurant, his eyes not leaving Sterling. He couldn't figure out what they were talking about and watched as the doctor's expression changed as she walked away from the table. His phone beeped and he looked at the text he had been expecting all night. 'meet me in the alley'. He moved towards the alley; his expression softened as he saw her.

"I told you I could handle it"

"and I told you I wanted to help"

"don't you trust me Greg?"

"it's not that, it's just that…."

"…. he committed another murder, I know"

"you know, and you still follow him?"

"well that's my job"

"we could do this together Sam"

"but I don't want you to help"

"come on, we're a team"

"fine…. she said letting out a frustrated breath…. watch Sterling he'd lead us to the killer"

"you do know…...?"

"…. yes, I do"

Farleigh stopped in her tracks as she looked at her table, it was filled with food, she mentally facepalmed herself as she sat down.

"Sterling, what's this? we can't finish this"

"well I didn't know what to get, you said you could eat anything and everything because you had no allergies"

"what do you mean? I never said that"

"on your Insta, you also said that you loved crowded places because being alone or with a few people made you feel awkward"

"did you stalk me?"

"I did"

"I don't use my Insta, someone else oversees it, quite on the contrary I have lots of allergies, I don't eat a lot and crowded places make me sick. This is an exception though, it's quiet"

"oh…. He said as he scratched the back of his head…. sorry. At least now you can tell me about yourself, so that next time…."

"…. next time? There wouldn't be a next time"

"why not?"

"look Sterling appreciate you trying but you're sick and you aren't ready to get treated, so in my eyes you're just a stubborn patient"

He stood up his eyes angry, he scratched the back of his head aggressively before saying

"I am not sick doctor"

"Sterling…"

"…no, you've said enough, I just wanted to do something nice and you just called me crazy"

"I never said crazy"

"well you implied it; I'm going home"

He walked out of the restaurant. She shut her eyes and tried to think. Although, his tantrum was childish, he was right, he did try and he made her feel better, she felt bad. She picked up her bag and went after him. He had already reached his car.

"Sterling…. she called out….do you have something else? Other than fattening me up that is"

He smiled and shook his head. "I mean we could get ice-cream and just drive, it's already late"

She nodded and gave him a big smile.

They drove to the beach and watched the skies reflection in the water. Sterling adjusted his seat and folded his hands behind his head, he shut his eyes and took in the night air, a peaceful smile plastered on his lips. Farleigh imitated him and pushed her seat back, she laid on her side her palms cradling her face as she looked at Sterling. His chiseled jawline cast a shadow, accentuating the contours of his face, his tousled hair, dark as midnight. He opened his eyes and got in the same position, his eyes on hers. Her eyes widened, like a kid caught doing something wrong, she awkwardly bit her lips. He let out a light chuckle, his long lashes caressing his skin when he blinked, he got back to his former position the smile not leaving his lips. She sat up, her face red from embarrassment, she could not believe it, she was caught staring, no, scratch that, he caught her staring and yet he acted like nothing happened, all she got was a smile? She screamed internally, she got out of the car, wanting to get away from her embarrassment. He got out of the car and walked towards her, 'this was it…she thought…he was going to mock her, he should do it and get it over with' she smiled at him.

"I'm sorry doctor, but we have to go, I have to get to work early tomorrow"

"okay, no problem"

They got back into the car. Her head ached, 'how could this happen to her? She was embarrassed twice and now he drove them into the night, his lips somehow still smiling'

"good for you, you got to be the cool one tonight" she said under her breath.

Farleigh looked into the mirror, she rubbed her face as she remembered the night events, she threw herself on her bed and screamed into her pillow, all of a sudden she felt like a high school girl having a crush on the popular kid, she reminded herself of her many awards, picking one up and staring at it. She couldn't be this way, she shouldn't.

Sterling fell to the bed, his face still wearing 'the smile', day one and he already made the doctor curious, he closed his eyes and let sleep ease his tired body.

Sterling reached for his phone; his eyes still heavy with sleep.

"what do you want?"

"where are you? There's been another murder, it's our guy and he's getting bolder"

His eyes shot open, he could feel seep leave him and something unfamiliar creep in, his whole body tense, "I'd meet you at the crime scene, make sure no one goes in before me" he could feel her nod as he ended the call. He got out of bed and opened up his wardrobe, his eyes lingered at a box on the floor of the wardrobe he bent down and opened up the box, it was filled with different bloodied items, leads he had unconsciously stolen from the scene, evidence against the killer. He had almost forgotten his dilemma. At first, he didn't know when he started collecting them, he picked up the item that made him realize everything. He had to be true to is badge, but he knew what would happen if he exposed the killer.

He watched him as he said into the phone, "you were right, he knows who it is"