Red Was Her Color..Part 4

When I woke the next day, it was late afternoon. My nose was assaulted with a nauseating smell. The stench of decay. I knew that it would be our final day together. She had already began to decompose slightly. Her skin, though still beautiful, was turning a bluish-grey color. i covered her body with a sheet and carried her out to the trunk of my car again. i couldn't leave her alone in the cabin and I had so much to do.1

Once she was locked securely away, I got into the car and started driving to town. There was a small shopping center a few miles away that would have everything I would need. It only took me a few minutes to decide which store to enter. A hole in the wall dress shop in the corner. It didn't look like it got much business, and I hoped that there would be something suitable for her to wear. I walked in, looked around and saw it immediately. The perfect dress, it was red, the exact shade of the one she wore the previous night, only longer. This dress was floor length, ball gown style. I simply had to have it. I asked for it in a size four and the woman behind the counter smiled. She mentioned that the dress on the mannequin was the size I needed. I was glad when she didn't pry as to who I wanted it for. One hundred and eighty dollars and one red sequined dress exchanged hands and I left the store.2

Quickly, I drove back to the cabin. I was anxious to dress and bathe her. She was like a doll to me. I wanted to brush her hair, take care of her. I wanted her to look as amazing as she had at dinner.3

The first thing I had to do was get rid of the smell. I started a bath, making sure the water was not too hot. I didn't want to burn her delicate skin. When I felt the temperature was perfect I lay her inside, placing one hand behind her head so that she would not drown.4

I began to wash her body, lathering her with the lavender scented soap. First her breasts, then her stomach, her legs and between them. I made sure to thoroughly clean every inch of her. After rinsing off her body, I started to wash her hair. I placed a small amount of shampoo into my hand and worked it through her hair. Then I leaned her head back to rinse the suds away.5

When her bath was finished I wrapped her in a white cotton towel and carried her back to bed. I dried her off carefully. Her skin was fragile and I was afraid that it may tear. I remembered that she had left her purse in my car, and a small black satin bag. I went out to get them and was amused by what I found inside. A bottle of perfume..lavender scented. I had always loved the smell. There were other items as well; lip gloss, mascara, eyeliner, breath mints and a condom. 6

She had been prepared for anything I suppose.7

I removed the makeup and perfume from the bag. I sprayed her naked body from head to toe. I was pleased that it had masked the terrible smell. Then I started to dress her, slipping the dress over her head, one arm then the other through the holes. It fit perfectly, hugging her curves. It was as if it had been made for her and sat in that shop waiting until this day. I smiled, admiring the sight, but there was still so much work to do.8

I placed the red heels she had been wearing back onto her feet, along with the gold chain I had given her for her birthday. I propped her up with pillows and brushed out her long brunette hair. I was shocked at first to see how much of it was coming out, now tangled in the bristles. I decided to pin it up at the back of her head instead. Next I applied the makeup as best I could. Spreading blue eye shadow across her lids, followed by black mascara on her lashes and dark red lipstick on her pale lips. I was satisfied with the result. She looked almost alive. She looked so pretty, I wanted to dance with her. I put on some soft music and lifted her from the bed. She was so limp in my arms as we moved to the melody. She was so graceful, she looked as if she was floating, her feet barely touched the ground. I twirled her, dipped her, spun her around the room until I was exaughsted.9

I lay her back down gently and sat down in the wicker chair next to the bed to rest my feet. I had not yet decided how I would end our night, so I searched my brain for ideas. It saddened me that I would have to leave her in a few hours, and that I would never see her again. Everything had to be just right. She had told me a hundred times how romantic it would be to walk on the beach hand in hand under the moonlight. So, I decided that is where it would all end, the beach. The perfect spot was only forty minutes away. It was a small secluded stretch of beach, we would be alone if we went late at night. I wanted privacy for our goodbye kiss. I became very excited by the idea but there were still several hours until it would be dark enough outside. I needed pitch black.10

I searched for a way to waste some time, tidying up around the cabin. When that was done I took a small camera out of my pocket and began to snap several photos. That was the same camera I had used before to capture our special night. I had asked the waiter to take our picture, we both smiled just as I was then...so damn happy. I couldn't wait to see the way they turned out.11

By that time I was no longer tired, so I picked her up and moved to the music once again. I kissed her and lay her head on my shoulder. Before I knew it, the time had come for us to leave. The moment I was dreading.12

This time I couldn't place her in the trunk, I didn't want to mess up her make up or wrinkle her dress. I didn't want one hair to be out of place. So, I  placed her in the backseat and belted her in, covering her with my jacket. When I was sure that I had burned and destroyed anything that may have been incriminating I got into the car and started to head south.13

The forty minute drive seemed to take hours. I had never experienced such silence. I was alone with my thoughts and they began to consume me. I forced them out of my mind, and drove carefully to avoid being pulled over. I did not need any distractions. What seemed to be forever and a day later we had finally arrived in the empty parking lot. Ten feet in front of us was sand and another 50 feet was the salty water. It looked black in darkness. A rush of excitement ran through my body followed by a wave of despair.14

I went to the trunk and took out a blanket and a shovel. I lay them down 20 feet from the water and went back to get her. She was so light in my arms. I placed her upon the blanket and lay next to her. Her skin glowed in the moon light as did the sequin of her dress. I looked up at the stars, holding her hand in mine for a long time. The sound of the crashing waves was soothing. So calm and peaceful, I began to feel the tension slip away. But I did not let myself become too comfortable. The morning was only a few hours away and the beach would no longer be our private sanctuary. I did not want to risk our being discovered by some beach bum looking for the perfect wave. I had to work fast.15

I found a spot near the brick wall that separated the parking lot from the beach. There was a hole already formed. Children with sand castles I supposed. It didn't take long to make the whole long and deep enough for a body. I carried her over and with one last kiss placed her inside, slipping my class ring onto her finger. A simple gesture of my undying love. The sand began to sink in on her instantly and in no time at all she was covered to my satisfaction. I did not need her to be buried very deep. I wanted her to be found, just not right away. I wanted her to look beautiful when she was discovered.16

I grabbed the blanket and shovel and threw them into my trunk. I quickly started to make my way north, leaving Natalie behind me. Tears formed and ran down my cheeks, blurring my vision slightly. I brushed them away and forced myself to get it together. I did not grieve for my sins, but for my loss. I missed her already. I began to think of what the newspapers would say. I could see the headlines in my mind, and I couldn't wait to see the looks on peoples faces when they found her.17

i would be the first and most likely the only suspect in the case. I wondered how hard they would search for me. I was certain that they wouldn't find me easily. By the next afternoon I was already out of the country. I sat in a small hotel room in a run down part of Paris watching the news. I was surprised that Natalie's murder was already being broadcast internationally. I never expected so much publicity.18

I found it necessary to alter my appearance in the following days. I grew a mustache, wore wire brimmed glasses and dyed my hair a dark brown. I also adopted a slightly believable french accent. If I did not talk at length with anyone I fit in just fine. I watched and waited for the media to move on to a more interesting story before I made my next move.19