Diary of an Arizonan Murderer (Chapter 6)

Chapter 61

Never Stand Together, Never Stand Alone2

Now that I think about it, this is really close to Curly’s place. Out of all the worthless humans on this planet, Curly would probably be fine with hiding me out. He’ll do anything for a “homey”.3

The sirens grew distant, but I still decided it was better to slink about in the alley. With a murder like that, they’d probably have helicopters out somewhere, the bastards. I never thought of it quite like that before. I was a murderer. What I was doing wasn’t justified; it was perverted in everybody else’s eyes.4

I’m quite all right with that. I like that adjective. Perverted. I was perverted. Taking people’s lives just because they were human. The way it should be.5

Now that I had a level head back, it was much easier to think and reflect. Four people: Cassie, that officer, the hobo, and the McDonalds chick. So many more people to go. Eleven to go. 6

I churned the thought in my mind as I snuck along the allies. Eleven people? Who should it be? My mind became more creative as time passed. I didn’t pay so much attention to where I was going as I did the ways that I could kill my future victims.7

But then I hit a dead end.8

“Dammit!” I muttered, kicking the wall with a force that made me wince. I slowly retraced my steps, but with my intelligence I quickly found the correct root again.9

Lucky for me, I could hear no helicopters this far out. Curly’s house loomed into view. I rapped on the door, and after a few moments, it opened a crack.10

“Harb! What the hell’re you doing here this late at night?”11

“I have a little…problem.”12

“Fuck! What is it?”13

“Have you watched the news lately?” I let out a dry laugh.14

He glanced at me suspiciously. “Should I have been?”15

“Yes. Four people.”16

“Four?! What do you mean four?!”17

I ran a finger horizontally across my neck. Curly chuckled, scratching at his afro.18

“You little bastard. So you got rid of her?”19

“Yep. And a cop, hobo, and chick from McDonalds.”20

“Then what the fuck’re you doing standing out in the open like that? Get your white ass in here!”21

He opened the door the rest of the way and ushered me in, glancing around nervously outside before shutting it behind us. 22

“So why the other three?” he asked, turning the T.V. onto the news.23

I shrugged. “It feels good, Curly.”24

“That’s disturbing, man. I hope you know that. And what have I told you about that name, boy? Call me Ty, or get up out my house!”25

“You know I’m kidding, man!” I chuckled nervously and made myself comfortable on the couch.26

“Kidding about the name or the feeling?”27

“The name. Have you ever killed a guy, Ty? It’s like playing God. It’s so perverted in others’ eyes.” There was the description again. Perverted. And the sick sense of pride returned as I recounted it all to him. His eyes grew wide, and it made my chest swell. After I was done, he just shook his head. 28

“Holy shit, man. Two people for no reason? I mean, I understand the cop. But why the hobo?”29

“He called me an asshole. Nobody that low on the chain’ll call me anything.” I smirked, and he seemed to sense an air of insanity that I always overlooked.30

“Dude, you’re so high on yourself! You may be bad, but you’re not badass!” 31

I stared at him for a moment. He’s wrong. I am badass. I am at the top of the totem poll. I’m better than the majority of the world. They all just don’t realize how much power one person can hold. I played God four times. Now imagine if everybody took at least one person’s life? How many people would be left in the world? Not many. Only the smart ones like me. Or maybe just me, considering everyone else’s incompetence. 32

He seemed to sense my thinking, because he busied himself in the kitchen. Probably guarding the knife drawer. The thought of him trying to protect himself made me smile. I wasn’t going to kill him yet. He was quite useful. He was good people. 33

“Yo, wanna burger, man?” came his voice from around the corner.34

“That’d be great, dude. Haven’t eaten since this morning.”35

Just for a moment, I considered killing him anyways, but the smell would ruin the hideaway.36