Michille Zhang, 5/20/21, Period 8, Day C

Michille Zhang

5/20/21

Period 8 

Day C

Creativity & Fiction

On the Loose

“Good Evening, I’m Sharon. We are interrupting this regular broadcasting to bring you the breaking news of an outbreak at a local prison.”

The distant sound of a news report played in the background as I was focusing on my homework. The monotoned and calm tone formed an almost rhythmic melody as I zoned out. 

“The suspect is a serial killer, a man with a snake tattoo located on his neck traveling up to his face. Authorities recommend being more cautious when leaving your home and avoid going out unless necessary. If you spot any suspicious activity contact the police immediately.”

The absurdity of the case caught my attention. “How incompetent were officers on duty to let a serial killer escape,” I thought to myself. “How likely would the killer be in my neighborhood anyway? Nothing interesting ever happens.”

I decided to ignore the reporting as the likelihood of the serial killer being in my exact neighborhood was very low. Though I was a little wary, I didn’t let it bother my daily life much. I patiently waited for news on the ongoing search of the serial killer, which seemed to be going nowhere.

Several days passed and there was no news pertaining to the whereabouts of the killer. Instead, there was news about a killing every few days. Every victim was slaughtered in the most gruesome and violent way possible. There were many signs of struggle on the crime sites, indicating a cruel and slow death. Blood was splattered all over the walls and each killing was signed with a smiley face using the victim's blood. These gruesome deaths pointed towards the killer on the loose. The trend of the various killings didn’t seem to display any patterns putting everyone into a frenzy. Each passing day caused more and more chaos and paranoia. 

One evening, a fight suddenly broke out in my house about who should take a brief trip outside to take out the trash. Though we were all quite worried, none of the slaughters reported occurred anywhere near our own house. 

“Why do I have to take out the trash today?,” my brother, Steven asked. 

“I always take it out, and you never do anything,” I retorted. 

“But I’m too young to die!!” 

“Do I care? Chill…. The serial killer is nowhere near us, you are only outside for 30 seconds anyways,” I tried explaining.

“Why don’t you take the trash out then?”

“Because I’m scared too.” Steven looked at me in horror, as I tried laughing it off. 

After much convincing, Steven finally agreed on the premise I accompanied him to the door and watched his back. The trashcan was located around the corner of our house. It was almost pitch black outside and slightly chilling, only a dim streetlamp illuminated the pathway. I couldn’t shake the unsettling feeling rising in my stomach. 

I carefully watched Steven turn the corner. After a couple of minutes, a blood-curdling scream filled the neighborhood. 

“aHHHHHHHHHHHHHH”

“STEVEN???” I screamed. But, there was no response. I was inclined to move away from my spot in front of the door to go search for him. But decided, “who am I to save him?” as I turned around. 

An ominous presence crept up behind me just as I tried opening the door. A prickling pain jabbed at my stomach as I slowly fell backward and dropped onto the stone-cold pavement. My vision blurred and I could barely make out the figure standing above my body. 

“Great timing isn’t it?” a familiar voice said, as the smile grew on his face. “Everything will just be blamed on the serial killer on the loose.”

I could only weakly manage out a “Why?” as the blood was quickly flowing out from the wound on my stomach. 

“You …. Everything --,” I could only make out bits and pieces of the voice but my vision was slowly turning dark. The last thing I ever saw was Steven bending down to draw something next to my head….

“Good Morning, I am Sharon, your local news reporter. This morning authorities have finally tracked down and detained the serial killer on the loose. He is now being sentenced to death for the countless lives he has taken. Everyone is now free to continue their normal lives without the worry of a serial killer right behind your back!!!!”...