Alone

I was just walking down the street to get a Monster. I didn't think my life would change so much in one little trip. It was just a normal day. I make this trip almost every day. Why was today any different. Let me start from the beginning.....15 MINUTES BEFORE...." Breaking news. The serial killer, Nightmare, has escaped from prison. He killed 16 prison guards, and fatally wounded 3 prisoners with them. After killing one of the guards and taking his keys, he escaped the Houston County Prison and is on the loose. Please take caution after hearing this announcement. Make sure your house is securely guarded. Be careful when out in public. And if you see the 'Nightmare', do not try to stand up to him. Call the police and run. In further news, President Obama has"  'Oh man' I thought to myself as I stood in the living room. 'The Nightmare on the loose. That's some scary shit. Just clear your head David. Go to the store. Grab a Monster, and calm down.' So I grabbed my house key, set the alarm, and walked out the door. I waved to the Pattersons as I passed by. "Boy, what are you doing outside? Dont you know theres a killer out and about? It's not safe out here." Mr.Patterson scolded as I was walking. He was a nice old man that cared about everyone in the neighborhood. He must have been at least 80 years old. I stopped to talk to him "I know Mr.Patterson. I wont be out long. Just going to grab an energy drink." "You kids and your energy drinks. Back in my day-" "Sorry Mr. Patterson" I interrupted. " I really need to get going." "You be safe boy!" I heard him call as I walked away. I kept walking till I reached the store. From there, it was to the cold drinks aisle and back home. I grabbed my Monster, paid for it and walked out the door. Popping the top and listening to the sound of the drink was the best part.  It honestly made my day. The sweet liquid poured down my throat. It sent a chill down my spine and put a smile on my face. I was walking out of the parking lot when I heard a shout behind me. I turned around to see what was going on. That's when it happened. A man shoved a knife the size of a carrot into the shouting man's chest. The knife went through him like butter. My face grew pale and cold. I was locked into place. I couldn't move. All I could say was "The Nightmare" Just then, the man turned and looked at me. A smile grew on his face. He started to walk towards me. I tried to move, but I fell back and landed on my ass. I started to crawl back every step he took towards me. Every step, I heard my heart pound. I kept crawling back, but I found something behind my back. A bottle. I grabbed it and smashed the end. I stumbled up and tried to form a stance. He kept walking towards me, even with the bottle swinging at him. His smile just grew wider. We were face to face. He looked me dead in the eye and he said one word that made the little courage I had left leave my body. "Boo". I dropped my Monster and turned to run, but he grabbed me by my neck. He started lifting me from the ground. I couldn't breathe. I saw him draw the knife. A wicked, almost satanic smile came to his face, and just before he ended my life, we both heard "Let him go!" Suddenly, a bat smashed against The Nightmare's head. Anger filled his eyes, and he dropped me. I started running into a nearby field to hide, but I turned to see who had saved me. My fear turned to sorrow as I saw The Nightmare pick up Mr. Patterson by the neck, same as he had done to me. "NOO!!" I screamed. "Run kid!" Mr. Patterson managed to choke out. Then. It happened. My life slowed down as it did. Almost as if something wanted me to see every detail. The Nightmare buried his knife into Mr. Patterson's jugular. I saw every drop of blood spill from his neck. Then he pulled his knife out and dropped him to the floor. As I ran through the field, the tears spilled down my face. I kept running till I was safe in my home. I closed the door and locked it behind me. I couldn't hold it in anymore. I  fell to my knees and cried....I woke up on the floor. It was night time. The house felt....ominous. As if. Someone was in the house with me. I knew I wasn't alone. I grabbed my flashlight and started searching. I walked room to room looking in every crevice for anything that might be a demonic killer. I had searched my entire house. Nothing. Yet. The feeling was still there. Then, in the back of my house, I heard a rustling. I grabbed a knife and headed to the sound. As I got closer, it got louder and more violent. I found the noise. There was a blanket over the rustling. I gripped the knife tightly, ready for anything that could be under it, and pulled the blanket back. "BARK BARK", my dog Jeff spoke as I flashed the light on him. "Jesus Jeff you scared the hell out of me. What are you doing back here boy?" I started petting him and playing with me. Then he started growling at me. "Whats wrong boy? Did I do something?" Then I saw something in his eyes. He wasn't growling at me.  I gripped the knife tighter. I turned around and lunged forward. I was plunged into the ground. I saw the knife rise. Jeff leaped forward and bit his leg. He fell back and I was able to get to my feet. I grabbed my keys, called Jeff, and ran for the door. I got in my car with Jeff in the passenger seat. We hauled ass out of there and checked into a hotel 3 cities away. Once we were in a room, I started to relax. To feel safe. I started thinking as to what I was going to do. What if he kept following me? What if he found me? I didn't want to think about it at that minute, so I just clicked on the tube and watch some television. There it was. " The Nightmare strikes again. We have security footage of The Nightmare killing 2 men and attempting to murder another. Luckily the 2nd victim stepped in when he did. The victim's names were Edward Johnson and Steven Patterson. Steven Patterson,even though he has passed away,  will always be remembered as a true hero. We warn you that the video you are about to see is graphic and viewer discretion is advised." They started playing the video and I saw Mr. Patterson die again. The tears streamed down my face once more. Jeff came to my side and licked the tears away. I couldn't help but smile. Yet, that wasn't going to change the fact that a good man died because of me. I should have just listened to him and stayed home. And now he was gone. I started to think about how Mrs. Patterson was feeling......."You be safe boy!" "Who was that, dear?" my wife asked as I saw that boy walk away. "It was that David boy down the street. I'm worried about him. A killer is on the loose and he's going out in public." "Oh my. Kids these days. Fearless. I'm sure he will be ok, dear" "I'll be back my love. I'm just going to make sure he gets home safe." I kissed my wife as I got in my car and pulled out of the drive way. So many corner stores now a days. You never know which one is which. Then I saw him walking out of the store. I pulled into the parking lot and drove into a spot to make sure he made it to the field shortcut. Then he came out of no where. That killer! He grabbed David by the throat. There was no time to lose. I grabbed my bat and sprinted to him. "Let him go!" I hit him in the back of the head, and I would have done it again, but my bat smashed against his head from the first hit. He turned around slowly and I saw the evil in his eyes. He was choking me. I started getting light headed. "NOO" I heard from the field behind us. "Run kid!" was the last thing I could tell him. My life flashed before my eyes, then I felt it. The cold sharp steel forcing into my neck. I felt my heart slow down. My skin got cold. I was dying. I fell to the floor and his eyes were the last thing I saw........Where could he be? It's been hours? There was a knock on the door. I walked to the door and to my suprise, their was two cops standing at my door. What could they want? "Hello?" "Hi. Are you Mrs. Patterson?" "Yes I am. Why? Is something wrong?" "I wish I could say there isn't, but a tragedy has happened today. Your husband, Mr. Patterson, is dead. He was killed by 'The Nightmare' today at CVS.  His death was quick. He felt little pain. I'm sorry for your loss. Do you have any questions?" I couldn't believe it. The tears rolled out of my eyes. He was here just a few hours ago. He was fine. "No. I dont have any questions. Thank you." I closed the door. I fell to the floor, leaning against the door, and broke down. My husband, my Steven, my love, was gone. After 75 years, he...he's gone. I couldn't stop myself from trembling. I just sat there and cried......I woke up. The t.v. was on. Jeff was asleep next to me. I was comforted by the light of day. 8 am. I had to figure things out. What was I going to do? Where do I go from here? Do I start a new life somewhere else? First things first. I need to get my stuff from my house. "Wake up buddy, it's time to go." I started petting Jeff to wake him up. He yawned and stood up. He started whining. "Yea, I'm pretty hungry too. Let's eat."........We were almost home. With full bellies and fear in my heart, I turned into my neighborhood. As we got closer to our home, my heart pounded faster. I pulled into my drive. I let Jeff out and we walked to the door. To my suprise, the door was locked. I unlocked the door and went inside. Jeff ran through the house, checking each room, then a minute later, I heard his bark letting me know it was safe. I started heading to my room, but something caught my eye. In the bathroom, written on the ceiling, it said "Have a nice day". I reached up and ran my finger through one of the letters. What was this? It was dry, and it felt. Hot. Almost burning like. I backed out of the bathroom not knowing what was going to come next. I started packing clothes and money into a duffel bag. I packed as much as my bag would carry. Then whatever didn't fit in the duffel bag went into a trash bag. By the time I was done, my house looked so empty. I guess this was it. I called Jeff and we got in my car. I called my real estate agent and told her to sell my house. A week later, they held Mr. Patterson's funeral service and I paid my respects. It was a cold, dark day. The rain was pouring down and everyone kissed his coffin saying their good byes. After the service was over, and everyone went home, I was there. Alone. I kneeled by his grave, and I just cried. This man saved my life. But at what cost? His wife is alone, his murderer is still on the loose, and the boy he saved is running. "It should have been me. It...should have been..." "It's ok David" I heard as I felt arms wrap around me. I turned to see Mrs. Patterson holding me in her embrace. The tears couldn't be stopped now. " I'm so sorry Mrs. Patterson. It should have been me! I should have died! He didn't deserve to die. It should have bee-" "Shhhh" she interrupted trying to calm me. "He's in a better place now David. No more pain. No more suffering. He lived his life, and it's your turn to live yours." "But...what about you? You don't have anyone anymore. You're all alone." I sobbed out as the tears continued to flood down my face. " David. It's ok. My Steven was 95 years old. It was bound to happen sooner or later. And yes, even though I'm alone now, you have to stop and think. We got married at the age of 15. I had him for 75 years. And I'm sure my time is coming. So, I wont be lonely for long. It's ok David. Come on, lets go." She comforted as she stood me up. We walked away from the grave and I felt that a weight had been lifted. I didn't feel so bad anymore. I knew I had Mrs. Patterson's forgiveness and I was reassured that Mr. Patterson was in a better place.......Thunder cracked and woke me up from my sleep. Jeff was next to me like always. The rain outside always calmed me down. I watched it as it ran down the window. I still had flashbacks of Mr. Patterson's death. Then his wife passing away 3 weeks later. It's so hard to believe its been 4 months since the Patterson's died. But, like Mrs. Patterson told me at the funeral. He is in a better place. And now, so is she. The Nightmare is still on the loose, and who knows if he is still after me. I just wish that the news would make a report saying that he's been captured or killed. Jeff sensed that I was troubled in his sleep and woke up to be by my side. "Good boy" I praised as I petted him. We had moved to  Dallas since the incident. It seems like our lives are back to normal. There was a knock on the door downstairs. I checked the time to find that it was 3 in the morning. Who the hell is knocking on my door at 3 in the morning! I went down stairs and opened the door. "Great. Fucking pranksters at 3 am." I closed the door and leaned my forehead against the wood. " You know why you haven't heard about me recently on the news David?" I heard from behind me as my eyes widened. "No. It can't be! It can't be" I started to shout. I turned around to find an empty room. "What? What is going on?" "Because I've been looking for you" a voice whispered in my ear. I hurled myself away from the voice and turned to look up at the intruder. "Ever since you got away, I haven't killed a single soul. I have been hunting you down. Here you are. Hiding. You coward. A good man died because of you. How do you feel about that?" "Who are you?!? How do you know my name?!? What do you want?!?" " Your death. That's what I want David. After you got away, it drove me crazy. No one has ever gotten away from me. Then here comes some college boy who thinks he can just run when he pleases. So I started looking for you. I tracked you down through the system. I found out you transferred to a university in Dallas. I found your address. And now I'm here to finish what I started. There's no one here to save you now." The police sirens wailed atleast 4 miles away. "The police are going to arrest you. Just run while you still can" I said hoping to dissuade him. "I dont give a fuck if they arrest me. I'm getting my revenge. I will not wait another night." Looks like I'm going to have to make it until the cops get here. He ran forward with knife in hand. I rolled out of the way, but he grabbed my leg and pulled me back. We crashed into the dining table. I started to crawl away from him as he stood up. "DIE!!!" he shouted as he jumped ontop of me and brought the knife down. I stopped it before it could go into my chest, but he was much stronger than me. The knife slowly started to descend. I felt it press against my shirt, then into my skin. "AHHHH!!!" I screamed as is slowly went deeper into my chest. Jeff came out of no where and tackled The Nightmare off of me. He started snapping at his neck. "You again", The Nightmare said as he grabbed Jeff. I watched in horror as he grabbed Jeff's neck and broke it. My dog, the last closest thing I had to family, fell to the floor with a thud. Sorrow filled my eyes as rage filled my heart. "NOOOOOOO" I shouted as I charged at him. I smashed him into the glass window.He tried opening the door and hitting me with it, but I threw him to the ground before the hit came. His nose broke under the weight of my foot.I kept stomping on his face until he grabbed my foot and twisted it. I didn't care. I got down and began to unload a storm of fists into his face. I smashed and smashed and smashed until my knuckles broke. Finally, I grabbed his knife and brought it down into his chest. He grabbed my hand and tried to stop me. Nothing was going to stop me now. "Wait wait wait wait wait please. Please! I beg of you!" "DIIIIIIEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!" I screamed as I slowly brought the knife into his chest. It slid into his heart and the his life slowly faded. He felt every second of his death. Revenge from me and every person he had ever killed had come by my hand. He looked into the eyes of his killer and coughed up blood. "I didn't think it would end this way. This wasn't how it was supposed to end." I leaned in and whispered into his ear, "This is for Mr. Patterson." I buried the knife deeper into his chest and watched the life leave his eyes. I stood over his lifeless body. It was over. The Nightmare was dead. My life could return back to normal. No longer did I have to live in fear. I heard the sirens outside and the police ran in with guns in hand. "Don't move! Hands up! Turn around slowly! Get down on your knees!" They put the hand cuffs on me and took me to the cop car. I sat in the back seat while they looked at the crime scene. Withing 10 minutes, an ambulance came to take The Nightmare's body. Next thing I knew, the car door opened and the Dallas Police Department Commisioner was standing outside the car. "Hello David. My name is Commisioner Patterson. I want to thank you personally for killing this madman. He has be-" "Wait, did you say, 'Patterson'?" "Yes, yes I did. This pyscho killed my father a few months ago and I've been looking for him ever since. I've wanted him dead since the minute I heard the broadcast on the news. Why do you ask?" A smile came to my face. It felt good to know that, even though Mr. Patterson died saving me, I could avenge him and take redemption for his son. " No reason Commisioner. Now what?" "Well, we have to take you downtown and ask you a few questions, but you will be released for killing a mass murderer. You're a hero son.".........A week later, the city of Dallas held a ceremony for me and awarded me a medal of courage and heroism. The Commisioner gave me this award personally. "I and the City of Dallas and so many more want to thank you. How do you feel knowing you ended The Nightmare's reign of terror?" His words slowed down. Time slowed down. "How...do...you...feel...knowing...you...ended.......you........ended.........you" His words would stay with me for ever. "It...it feels good to know that I've saved alot of people."......... You. I've killed The Nightmare. You. I've avenged Mr. Patterson. You. I've avenged Jeff. You. And now...I'm alone.