The Dark Half

The silence of the night beckoned me. A seductive mistress, luring me in with a taste of temptation. An unwilling participant drawn by desire. That night a cool misty breeze blew through the tree’s howling like a siren being set free.1

It was 1:00 in the morning. The dark of the night a cloak, causing an ominous feeling as I put on my coat and shoes for a brisk walk. I know that it is dangerous to walk alone at night and being a woman , but something was drawing me outside and into the black pit of oblivion. Something or someone had awakened me and was now calling me into the night. I knew better, but the desire for some reason was too great. I open the door, stepped into the night and took a deep alluring breath. I descended down the stairs and checked my coat pocket to make sure my cigarettes and lighter were there. As I descended the stairs I briefly look back to make sure I had closed the door.2

I lived in the city so even at 1:00 in the morning there were people scurrying around, as if rats looking for their food. Normally I would be scared out of my mind, but for some reason it didn’t bother me I felt like I belonged here. I walked down the street, turned left and headed toward the inner part of the city. It felt natural to me, as if I had been there before.3

“What the hell” I thought to myself, but as soon as that though appeared it was gone. I had been walking for what seemed like an hour when I passed a store window. Something caught my eye and drew me to look into it. Looking back at me was a stranger. She had long brunette hair and was dressed in a red mini dress and had black heals on. My hands flew up to my head and I ran my hands through the hair. I was shocked my hair was blonde and shoulder length. I looked pretty damn good I concluded and continued walking.4

I turned and headed toward the nearest hotel and walked in, like I had been here a million times. I headed straight for the bar. In the back of my mind I was thinking “How did I know where this hotel was? I had never been here before tonight. I shrugged off that thought and continued toward the bar. “Scotch please” I informed the bartender. “ 5

“Right away Miss Jones” he responded. I looked puzzled. “You must have me confused with someone else” I replied. He handed me my scotch and informed me” No, Miss Jones, you are in here every night around this time.”6

I took the drink and turned around to see who was out this time of night. Jazz music was playing in the background and soon I was lost in the rhythm. I sat down and took a sip of my drink and lit up a cigarette, damn that tasted good with the scotch.7

Scanning the room I noticed a heavy set man sitting by himself in the corner. I picked up my drink and headed toward him. I motioned to the bar tender to send another round to the gentleman’s table. He nodded back at me. I made my way to his table and asked him if he minded if I sat with him. He looked up and said” sure, go ahead.”8

The drinks I had ordered were delivered to our table. I sat down in the spot across from him and flipped my hair away from my face seductively as I looked for a reaction from him. He smiled at me sheepishly and added “hello, beautiful how are you this evening?”9

I looked him straight in the eye and said “Very well, thank you and how are you doing?”10

“Better now” he said “I’m Steve” and then looked down at his drink.11

“Well I have had better days” I responded as I took a sip of my second drink.12

You could tell he was shy; he was balding with glasses. He was at least 50 pound overweight and you could tell he was sweating profusely. He was kind of musty smelling.13

“So, why are you here all alone?” I asked him. He looked back at me and said”I just got off from work and thought I would relax; I am staying here at the hotel.” 14

“Oh” I replied “that is convenient isn’t it?” I looked back at him and smiled trying to look interested. “God” I was thinking in my head “he smells and he’s boring as hell no wonder he is alone”, but I had this burning desire deep inside me that had to be satisfied and he was the only lonely looking one here, he would have to do.15

“Well my name is Randi” I informed him “I wanted to unwind myself so that is why I am here.” I had a very hectic week and felt that I needed to kickback and enjoy myself for a change.” I seductively pushed back my hair once again. I could see he was watching me, so I through in “I guess we are lucky we ran into each other then.”16

He smiled a little embarrassed looking and replied” Yes, I guess we are.”17

“Wow this guy is a real conversationalist” I thought to myself sarcastically. “He is disgusting, he smells and he’s fat, damn I hit the jackpot this time.” I shrugged off the thought and excused myself to the ladies room before I left I asked him to order another round for us.18

As I made my way to the bathroom I scanned the bar once more to see who else was there before opening the door and going in. I went to the bathroom and then washed my hands. I then fixed my hair and make up. I peered at the stranger looking at me she had long brunette hair and nicely done nails. Her make up and attire were something I normally wouldn’t wear; I was the more conservative type. I looked away confused and opened up my purse once more, there inside was a bottle of pills. I looked at them quickly and took one. I just kept telling myself I was probably overtired that was why all these strange thoughts were going through my head. I sprayed on a little perfume, closed up my purse and headed back to the table.19

I sat back down; it was now almost closing time. After about five drinks I was feeling more in the mood to be hanging with this guy. Steve invited me back to his room, which I knew he would and I accepted his invitation. We finished our drinks, got up and headed toward the elevator. He placed his arm around my waist, which actually made my skin crawl. He moved closer to me when the elevator doors closed. I could smell him he smelt like a mixture of alcohol and sweat which made me gag.20

I giggled like a school girl, when really all I wanted to do was throw up. The elevator door open and we preceded o his room number 516. He slid in the Kay and unlocked the room just as I lit up a cigarette. We went into the room; it was dark and musty smelling. Neither one of us said a word, but you tell he was nervous. Steve went in first turned on the light and set his keys on the table. He then unloosed his tie and turned to look at me. I was looking around the room checking it out. The curtains were a green color it was hard to tell exact ally what shade of green because they were all stained and worn. There was a beat up looking bed and a small chair and desk in the corner. The carpet was crimson in color, but worn in many spots. I sat on the bed and took off my heals.21

“Would you like a drink?” Steve asked me.22

“Sure sounds good” I replied. He opens a small refrigerator that was in the room and handed me a beer. I opened it and took a sip as I reached to put my cigarette out.23

He started undressing down to his dingy looking underwear; he looked at me and smiled. God at that very moment I was sick to my stomach. I instructed him to put on some light music while I got more comfortable. I asked him to unzip my dress as I turned my back to him. I could feel his hardness up against my back. I lowered my dress and excuse myself to the ladies room. I grabbed my purse and threw a condom on the bed in front of him; he looked at it like it was something foreign.24

As I was heading toward the bathroom I thought to myself “ Randi get a grip, this will be a piece of cake. I opened up the pill bottle in the bathroom and pulled out two capsules. I took the apart and put the powder into my palm and closed it into a fist. I open the bathroom door and went back into the bedroom. I pulled him up, took a deep breath and started kissing him as I dropped the powder into his drink.25

I then pushed him onto the bed and handed him the drink. We both finished our drinks, I made sure of this. I started pulling down his nasty, smelly underwear and startled myself on top of him. His eyes were opened wide, as if he was given this gift he felt he didn’t deserve. I pushed my hair out of my face flirtatiously and stated kissing him as I held my breath.26

It took about five minutes and he was passed out cold. I just looked at him and climbed off him. I then headed for the bathroom to throw up; at first I didn’t think I was going to make it. I cleaned up the bathroom and wiped everything down in there.27

I went through his wallet and took out $300.00 dollars. I put it into my purse and took out a handkerchief; I wiped down everything I had touched. I had seen enough crime shows to know what to do. I put the beer bottle I had drunk out of and placed it into my purse. I then left and took the back way out into the alley.28

I looked at my watch; it was about 5:00 am now as I made my way back home. I passed an ATM and emptied out his bank accounts, the schmuck had his pin numbers in his wallet. I was careful to hide my face from the camera. In total I got about $2000.00 off of him. It had been a good night. 29

The next morning I awoke with a slight headache. I got up put on some coffee and went to pop an Advil. After the coffee had brewed I poured a nice hot cup and sat down to read the morning newspaper. I was exhausted for some reason this morning. I turned to the local section and there staring me in the face was an article about a prominent business man who was missing. Now for some reason he looked familiar, but I just couldn’t place his face so I finished reading the paper and finished my cup of coffee. It’s impossible; I could not possibly know him. 30

I got up and went to my purse to get my make up to get ready for work and there in my purse is beer bottle. “What the hell” I said out loud “how did that get in there?” I had no answer so I threw the bottle in the trash and grabbed my make up and headed for the shower. This day is just getting stranger as the minutes ticked away.