28:06:42:12

 It was dark. And Elliot was an owl.

His eyes shifted over the darkness, over the far off hoard of high schoolers, kicking empty, crushed beer cans across the paved ground and playfully groping the smaller, female members of the group—animals. He kept looking- his prey was here somewhere. She had to be. He’d watched her. She would be here. Night on night, on night, on night. She was late.

His hands shook slightly, trembling with anticipation of the night to come. It wouldn’t come until she was here. A barely audible growl escaped from his lips. He couldn’t take this. So, he wouldn’t.

In a split second decision, he nimbly jumped out of the car, slamming the door shut behind him. Coat pockets felt heavy- syringes, duct tape, rope; everything he needed was ready. Ironically, this was the thing holding him back. Not necessarily her.

Thump-thump. Thump-thump. Thump--             

That was his heart. It was almost as though he felt it stop when he finally laid eyes on her. Petite, fragile, and staring right past him. She was all alone- his sweet doe was lonely. To him, the thought was melancholic: who would leave little Bambi all alone?

He strode toward her, attempting to keep his smooth, calm façade intact. Yet, with her so close- so alive- he barely made it. The scent of her filled his brain, intoxicating his every move. She was so close.

“Hey…” He started, before clearing his throat to hide his excitement. “Sorry… I don’t… normally talk to strangers,”—to him, they were not strangers. To him, they were everything together. Though it was the first time he’d ever spoken directly to her, they were connected. “I don’t… suppose you could suggest any good restaurants, could you? I’m… new in town. Uh… I just thought I’d… have a look around, you know?”