Dusk Shadow

She's standing there, on the top of the cliff. She's come up here to hide, once again, from her love. He's let her down too many times; he says, I'll be there, and then when she needs him most, he doesn't show up. Tears of bitter heartbreak are slowly running down her face as she watches the sun slowly dip down towards the horizon, knowing that tonight was the last night for them as a couple.1

She stares at the skyline of her little city, eyes blind to all of it's beauty. She doesn't see the sun gilding the lake, or adding it's subtle highlights to the forest that surrounds the small town. She doesn't care about the hidden beauty of the very cliff that she stands on, with it's glittering layers of stone blending into a harmonious beacon. No, all that she can see is the problems that she faces.2

She's thinking about the things that had happened to help her make up her mind. Today's events, especially.3

Once again, he hadn't been at the cafe. She'd waited for him for nearly an hour, thinking that he'd just be a few minutes longer, but had never walked through the door. So she'd gotten up and left, tears glimmering in the corners of her eyes. 4

She sits down, trying to figure out what she saw in him in the first place. What made him so special?5

His changing eyes, for one. The way that they seemed gray some days, and blue on others, always reflecting his mood. His smile, which always made her day when it was directed at her. His arms, so tight around her when she was scared, or lonely, or just in need of a hug...6

Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she doesn't hear the gravel crunching quietly behind her. She doesn't sense the man that stands behind her, looking at her as though it's surprising to see her here, though in reality, it's not. Then he steps up, and puts a hand on her shoulder.7

She jumps up, startled. Turning, she faces him, and her thoughts become a whirlwind of questions. How had he gotten up here so quietly? How had he known where to find her? She'd thought that this was a place special to her, but apparently not.8

She gives a small cry of recognition, rushing over to him and embracing him, though he doesn't return it. Still, she is glad to see him. 9

"Oh, Michael." she sighs, as she releases him, "Where were you this afternoon?"10

He doesn't reply. When she looks at him, there is a strange, distant emotion that frightens her. She backs a little farther away, unnerved by the way that he acts.11

"Katie." Suddenly he snaps back, becoming himself again, that frightening stranger vanishing like a cloud before the sun. "Katie, I'm sorry. I got caught up-"12

"-At work? You're always caught up at work! When will there ever be time for me?"13

The disappointment on her face strikes at him, and he tries to ease it, by saying the first thing that comes to mind.14

"Soon-"15

"Soon!" she cries, angered and sad, knowing that she has to carry through with her decision. "Soon! How often have I heard that? How soon is soon?"16

She turns away, and walks to the edge of the cliff. She sits down there, letting her feet dangle over the edge, not caring that she left him standing there. He deserves it, she tells herself, for the was he's treated you.17

He stands there, not knowing what to do. He'd come here to- well, this will just make things a bit harder, that's all, he thinks. He lets her sit there, acting as though he still cares about her, though in reality, he's never really cared. 18

He walks over, cautiously, and sits down next to her.he drapes one arm about her shoulders, and she throws it off. He doesn't bother to try again, knowing that he'll only make his own job harder if he angers her. And that wouldn't be a good thing. It could be fun, though...19

She makes up her mind, and, drawing a deep breath, begins to speak.20

"I don't think that I can see you anymore, Michael. You've let me down too many times, forgotten too many things. I can't depend on you. I love you, but I just can't take it any longer. So... goodbye."21

She rises, leaving no room for argument. HE stands as well, his hands spread out in a pleading gesture. 22

"Don't I even get one last kiss?" he asks, eyes filled with remorse.23

She hesitates, then allows him to pull her closer, their lips already touching.24

It's a picture perfect moment: a young couple, kissing on the top of a cliff that shines from the sunlight. They're thrown into high relief against the gilded sky, and caught in the light of the setting sun against a backdrop of high, majestic mountains.25

And then, he pushes her. She stumbles, her arms pulling away from him as she struggles to maintain her balance. He extends one hand, the light of a killer in his eyes. Though she's frightened, she grabs it, holding tightly as she begins to slip.26

"Michael! Help me! I'm- I'm slipping!" She cries, feeling the stone sliding out from under her feet.27

"Do you really think that I'm going to help you?" He asks viciously, feeding off of her fear. He can see just how frightened she is, and revels in it. Still, a small part of him feels that this is wrong. He squashes it brutally, returning to the job at hand.28

"W-Why are you doing this?" She tries to slide her feet farther up, but can't seem to get a grip on her cliff. She's getting desperate, now; soon his hand will be the only thing that is steadying her.29

"Because. I never really even cared for you. I'm a serial killer, didn't you know? Haven't you heard of the Dusk Shadow?" His grin is crazy, now, and the strange light in his eyes has returned. It's almost time, he thinks to himself. Just a little longer...30

"Oh my God..." She's just added everything up. There was no denying it anymore- he wanted her dead. And soon, in mere moments, she'd die...31

But even as she thought this, the top of the sun sunk below the horizon, and he whispered the words that he was reputed to say to those he killed.32

"Goodnight, beautiful. Sweet dreams..."33

He let go of her hands, pulling away as the loose rock slid out from underneath her feet. He began to laugh crazily, grinning at his victory. He leaned over the cliff, watching with pleasure the results of his conquest.34

She was looking up, her terror written across her face. She was reaching up with one hand, as though she could reach the cliff still. Tears spilled from her blue-gray eyes, making the long voyage down her face, and her mouth was opened as scream after terrified scream ripped from her throat. Her long, chestnut brown hair streamed out around her face, torn this way and that by the raging wind. 35

He turned his back to the cliff, not needing to see her hit the ground to know that she'd died. He began the long walk down, a smile lighting his face.36

After all, he'd finished his job.37