Chapter 15

POV D.

Two girls left the cafe, crossing the road with a quick step. The blonde confidently gesticulated with her hands, trying to get the attention of her friend, to which she received only some nods of her head in agreement. All my attention was directed to another girl who was walking beside me. Her hair fell in waves over her shoulders. Her chestnut braids blew in the wind, gleaming with a slightly reddish tint. The girl from time to time removed them to the other side when they fell on her face. His lips pressed into a flat line and his brows furrowed. She was obviously thinking about something of her own. The blonde looked at her friend again, but this time she got nowhere. The girl did not listen to her. She hovered in her thoughts, thinking. I wanted to get to know this girl better. I knew every story of my victim. It was a kind of need for me.

'Hailey! What does he look like?' The blonde asked, shoving the girl lightly in the side, again trying to get her friend's attention.

The brown-haired woman pursed her lips and finally looked at Kate, as I found out later. A second later, her gaze fell on a nearby car, in which I was sitting and clearly heard everything. The windows were tinted and there was no fear that the girls would see me.

'He...' She hesitated with an answer, nervously looking at my car, she knew that I was killing witnesses and the brown-haired woman chose the correct answer, trying to save her too annoying girlfriend. 'I do not know. He contacted me only through a note.'

'It's a prank, Mackenzie. I'm sure.' The blonde waved her hand away, thinking her guess was correct.

'Yeah, I guess.' Hailey lowered her head, fingering her new phone in her hands.

A smirk appeared on my face when I remembered that fateful party where I chose this particular girl. How she talked to me thinking I was a nice guy. How sweetly she laughed at my jokes. How she ran from me when I showed my cards to her. How she let go of her phone from her little hands when I caught up with her and let her run away again. I didn't want to end this game so quickly and while I'm trying to get to know her, she can be calm. But when all her cards are revealed to me, the game will be over. Those are the rules.

POV Hale

Kate thought it was just someone's stupid joke, but I knew for sure that it wasn't. He won't stop. He is a mentally ill person. I don't know what else to call it, but it really is. In fact, I could go to the police, but would they believe me? Just another teenager who just wants some weird adventures on their ass, what would they think. Telling my parents is putting them in danger.

'Witnesses are being killed.' His words and voice came to mind in my head, a chill went through my skin, and I cringed. 'Everything is fine? It seems like you are not at all passionate about this film,' the blonde sighed and sat down closer to me, hugging me with one arm.

'Actually, it’s terrible.' A deep sigh escaped his chest.

'I'm sure it's a joke, honey.' How I wanted to scream and prove to her that this was not so.

I wanted to tell her all the little things that I missed when talking about him. But I couldn't. I couldn't do it. All this time that we spent at her house, all I did was think and look for a way out of this situation.

'Girl found dead in her car. Suspicions fell on a serial killer.'

'Damn. It seems like the victims of the maniac are rising,' Kate leaned her elbows on her knees and propped her head up with her hands.

Thoughts dispelled, as if the wind had blown away all the fallen leaves.

'Make it louder,' I pricked up my ears when I heard such a painful topic. Carefully delving into the report, I sat closer to the TV, watching how the terrible pictures of the corpse were shown.

'The corpse of an unknown girl had the features of a hitherto unknown killer. An iron chain was found around the neck, with which the victim herself was strangled. Her hands were cut, which meant the exact characterization of the killer. The murder of a teenager was immediately connected with previous victims, as there is a complete coincidence between the area and similar circumstances of the crime. Victims of a serial killer are always found with an iron chain around their necks and stabbings on their hands.' Reports from past murders flashed on the screen.

My heart literally sank when I realized that all these incidents happened in my area. My house is in an area less than fifteen kilometers from all the murders and, most importantly, they all go around my house. So his game must end with me. I got up off the couch and walked closer to the TV that was hanging on the wall.

'The serial killer works very quietly. The security agencies still cannot get on his trail. Every month, one corpse is found in the area. The local maniac kills exactly according to his schedule. Unfortunately, we still do not know the motives for his murders and strange routine. Psychologists suggest that during this month the killer is looking for a future victim and then begins to get to know her better. Be vigilant and try not to walk around the city at night. Try not to make acquaintances with suspicious personalities.' The reporter went on to say security measures that I would no longer need.

It seems like running away from this city is the only option. Get out of this area as soon as possible.

'That's where the serial killer news ends. See you next week.' Soon another reporter began to tell his material, which was no longer interesting to me.

A month later. All my cards have been exposed. All but one and the game should end any day. My end is near.

'I'll call you, okay?' Kate cried into my sweater, tightly squeezing in her arms. 'Don't forget me, okay?' The girl muttered against my neck.

'Maybe "okay" will always be ours?' I smiled, remembering how the girl loved reading this book.

'Come on,' the blonde wiped her wet eyes and playfully hit me on the shoulder.

'But I'm serious.' Her expression immediately became serious. 'Do not forget me, Hale.'

'Girl, get on the plane, we’re taking off soon,' the flight attendant warned me.

'I won’t forget you, Kate,' I said goodbye to the blonde and climbed the ladder. Climbing up the stairs, I passed the middle of the cabin and found my place, comfortably placed in it. There was another empty place near me, and I prayed that I would get a good interlocutor, because the road is not so short. I want to spend these moments in peace and with good music.

'Dear passengers!' The voice of the stewardess was heard in the cabin, after which I saw a young girl in uniform. 'We are glad to welcome you on board our plane,' the sonorous voice of the brunette made everyone stop and listen. 'Please, fasten your seat belts and turn off your mobile phones. The crew and I wish you a good flight.'

Looks like I'll be flying this one alone. Turning to the window, I closed my eyes and plunged into the atmosphere of expectation. Twenty - four hours later. 'Dear passengers, our plane has landed at the airport in Sydney. Outside temperature...'

I opened my eyes, having slept after a long flight.

The stewardess talked about the weather outside the window and about the time. The passengers sat in their seats, listening attentively to the brunette. I looked out the small window and took in the whole view. The corners of my lips turned up and a smile shone on my face. I am free. The game is over with my victory. There is always a way out, just not everyone notices it in the dark.

'We hope to see you again on board our aircraft. Thank you for choosing our airline. Now you will be given a ladder. Please stay in your seats until you come to a complete stop,' the girl warned and hurried to the other side of the cabin.

I took out my cell phone from my jeans pocket, turned it on. The screen showed one missed number from an unknown number.

'Good morning?' I answered the incoming call and listened to the interlocutor. 'Hailey Marilyn Mackenzie, miss?'

'Yes, sir.'

'It's the police. Your parents are found dead. Their car drove off the bridge. I'm sorry, miss.'

A blow straight to the heart. Hands trembled as they let go of the phone, which crashed to the floor.

I lost.

Hailey's POV (Present time)

The specific smell of alcohol entered my nose, and I winced as I opened my eyes. Guys and an unfamiliar blond man stood above me, whom I, apparently in a state of drugs, mistook for James Foster.

'Wake up,' Michael whispers, poking Austin in the shoulder.