written: Feb 13, 2017

One minute I was strolling down the streets of Battery Park, the next, something collided with the back of my head, and then, darkness.

~

When my eyes fluttered open again, I was in some type of cellar, and a rather strange man stood in front of me, a leering grin plastered on.

Now, he may have been a serial killer, but one look at his eyes, and you'll know what I mean when I say he's more. I'm telling you, they were inhumane and plain disturbing.

Tied up, and discombobulated, I asked the age old question, "What do you want from me?"

He smiled in a way that made my blood race- in a terrible way, of course, and replied in an odd voice, "Ta vie."

The foolish and ingenious side of me perked up as I tried to explain to the obviously mistaken creep, "Look, dude, I think you have the wrong girl. I'm Caleigh, Caleigh Summers?"

The man rolled his eyes, "You're the perfect girl I need, Ms. Summers. What do you think I am, stupid?"

Without thinking, I replied back with a "Yes!"

He shot a deadly glare at me, and that was when I was again reminded that his eyes didn't seem so human...

"As for what I want from you, I guess you'll just have to wait and see," The man, let's call him Weirdo, for the lack of another name, smirked and walked over to a wall full of tools.

I had watched too many horror movies to know what was going to happen- Weirdo would rip out my insides and sell them in the black market- oh God, just think of what he would do to my beautiful eyeballs and ears!

"Well, what are you waiting for?" I snapped, trying to hide my fear. That proved to be a stupid move.

Weirdo turned his head to look back at me, a grin widening as his face began to crack, "As you wish, Caleigh. This is going to be so much fun."

I screamed as Weirdo's face fell off, revealing an absolutely hideous face of a beast, riddled with scars and burn marks, blood replaced by a black substance.

Why, oh why, had I decided to go grocery shopping today?

~

"Let's get one thing clear, Caleigh, if you do exactly what I say, I'll make your death quick," Weirdo began, playing with a knife that somehow made it into his hand.

I raised my bound hands, "Question. How will you dispose of my body?"

Weirdo released an exasperated sigh, "You are by fair the most annoying person I've ever met."

Was he a demon? He sure looked like one.

"I'll take that as a compliment, thank you very much. Also, why me?"

The beast rolled his eyes, "Because you were the first one I saw? I don't know, just shut up will you?"

I stayed silent, if only to treasure the last moments of life. But, I couldn't help but open my mouth ten seconds later, "So, what are you going to do to me?"

"Lie down on your back, Caleigh." Was the reply.

I didn't know what I should do- should I be a good girl and listen to the inhuman bastard, or should I rebel and take my chances?

My fear seemed to outweigh my bravery and courage so much more, that I did as he said, fear wracking my body.

"Smart move," Weirdo cooed, and in the dim light, I saw him raise a knife. My eyes widened and as he brought the knife down, I rolled to my left, and with a minor struggle, I managed to stand with my bound hands.

Now, the half human, half demon man glared at me, seething, "You're going to regret that, little girl."

Did he have immortal strength or something? Stars, no, he was mutant!

"You are Henry, the runaway mutant from Lab 472, aren't you?" I breathed in astonishment.

Henry cocked his head, "So, you're not as stupid as I thought."

I blinked, "If you're on the run, why do you want to kill me?"

The mutant released a low chuckle, "Oh Caleigh, what do you really know about your beloved government?"

Shrugging, I began to subtly undo the knot of rope on my wrist as Henry smirked coldly, "My mom was barely the age of sixteen when they dragged her from home to their 'Labs' and began to experiment on her body, against her will. She survived only long enough to deliver me, the first ever successful mutant, before she died."

I forced my voice steady, trying to keep his attention away from my hands, "Well, what happened next?"

Henry barled his crocked teeth in a snarl, "They ruined me- made me into the monster I am."

Gulping, I proceeded to ask, "Then why are you doing this? To me?"

He laughed, "Why? Because you'll be the first of many to serve as an example of what your beloved government has created, little Caleigh."

Then, he raised his knife again, "Now, enough chitter-" I lunged, ripping the now loose knots of rope around my wrists and kick Henry, sending him staggering back. In doing so, he lost his grip from his knife, so, I snatch the knife and stab wildly at his chest.

For a second, we just stare at each other, shocked, and then, Henry looks down at his bleeding chest, and when he looks back up again, I could've sworn a flicker of relief went through him. Without another word or breath, the mutant dropped to the floor, dead.

Panicking, I race up the stairs of the cellar with my hands stained with black blood, and rushed out of the small cabin, and into the woods, scared and afraid for my life.

Had I really just killed a person?