Dead.

Mikey stroked his hand through my hair, smiling wildly. I sat on the edge of the bed, reading the newspaper that came in a few minutes ago. The headline caught my attention more than a
naked man, "RAVEN STRIKES AGAIN" The headline sent chills down my spine.

I felt Mikey playing with my nappy hair as I read aloud, "The notorious killer known as the Raven has struck fear into people's souls-yet again. The 7th killing, in no order, has occurred today. Today, there will be a memorial for the victims-with extra precautions. The sheriff and his fellow deputy will be around to make sure no harm will come to those who come. Everyone is deemed welcome."

Mikey scoffed, "The sheriff and deputy is going to secure the area, eh? Yeah, right. They're a bunch of lazy assholes looking for easy pay."

I turned the page to the details of the killing of Brianna Jay. I read, "Jay was last seen by her boss leaving work, heading home. She had said to her co-worker that she had parked her car across the street-she never made it to her vehicle. Her car was where it was left. Her body was found by children heading to school. A scarring scene for children, we will all agree on. Her body was manipulated by stab wounds, burn marks, and deep cuts. This murder was different-no rape was involved." I paused, "Weird. Why would he change his usual routine?"

Mikey replied, "Maybe he's gay-or a woman with a penis."

I turned to him, "What do you mean? He murdered four other woman that involved rape-"

"No, it was violation. There was no traces of semen inside the woman. There was traces of heterochain polymers inside the vagina-plastic." He added, "But there was rape involved the men." He winked.

"But why won't anyone get the semen tested?"

"What do you think we are? Rocket scientists?" He laughed, "This town is full of dumb-fucks. And the sheriff is so stuck-up he wouldn't ask anyone outside of town for help."

I paused, but turned my back to him again before continuing reading, "Brianna wasn't at all violated or raped-which in a way, eased the husband."

I looked down at the body of the very short descriptions of the Serial Killer: Black hair, preferably male since the rapes that occurred. I looked at the description in awe, "Is it weird that I'm admiring this man for blending in so well?" I turned to Mikey who shrugged. He stopped messing with my hair and asked, "Why is it that we all stay here in this town?"

I felt a sudden rush of sadness coming from him. I said, "Well, where would we go Mikey? Wherever we go, the Killer will sure as hell follow." I added, "We wouldn't want that. Going to a bigger place with more people."

"So, what?" He replied, a little annoyed, "We wait for him to kill us one by one?"

I looked away, "It's a risk-no, a sacrifice we have to make."

Mikey frowned, "Why us?"

I jokingly smirked, "Ask the killer."

Mikey stared down at me, "Not. Funny." But suddenly burst into laughter.

Notes