This chapter: death via undescribed slow torture


Alfred almost dies once.

He is new to the game, fresh from Matthew's instruction and just starting to get comfortable luring people in. He takes a liking to men of some social standing, whether they be influential or charming. Their personal lives are of no matter; it is simply their likeness to his standards which draws him to them.

As such that leaves him usually preying upon those physically fitter than himself, and while he is confident of his skills, there is still a sense of wariness. Matthew cannot help him because Matthew does not have a preference. His brother kills whoever is most convenient for him.

Still, even with all his bravado and assurance in himself, the man he targets proves almost too much.

And that is so because it is Alfred who doubts himself. It is no more than a brief passing of second thought, but it has a disastrous result.

In the end he is left wounded but victorious, the body of his first real victim mutilated under his naked form. There are scratches and bruises along his own skin, and tear tracks down his cheeks along with blood smeared across his hands and mouth.

He returns to Matthew, promising to himself that he will never feel that weak and unsure again.

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He catches up with Matthew and Peter because they haven't seen each other in a few weeks. Matthew reports to him how well Peter is doing, the boy's wide smile a testament to how happy he is to finally find his place in a family.

Ivan must have left, Alfred thinks, because the man and his sister's body are nowhere to be found. Good riddance.

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Alfred leaves the next morning, side still bandaged but now stitched up by Matthew's hand. He waves goodbye and lets the wind decide for him his next direction.

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He finds himself eventually in a nicer town than most he's been to, all the buildings fairly well kept with immaculate lawns and trash free sidewalks.

He arrives on the day of some big celebration, and just so happens to spot his next victim.

The man is clearly not the same as his other victims. This man is shorter than Alfred by far, with long brown hair tied in a low ponytail. From what Alfred can see of him the man is Asian, but beyond that and his looks Alfred doesn't know the first thing about him.

He amends that thought when he sees the man expertly converse with no less than five different people in three languages.

He knows then that this man is a perfect candidate to be his next victim.

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The influential man's name is Yao as he learns, and him and his family are the sole reason this town is doing as well as it is. Yao is connected to everyone in the town by something, and while Alfred appreciates that, he quickly learns that getting close to the man will be difficult.

Another thing that will prove challenging is the fact that Alfred's pretty sure the man isn't attracted to anyone.

Alfred observes Yao and notes how he reacts to women and men alike. There is no change in his demeanor other than politeness and respect depending on who he speaks to. There is no tell that lets Alfred know if someone catches his eye. Alfred is sure he will have about as much success trying to seduce Yao as he will trying to seduce a brick wall.

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The answer to his dilemma knocks on his door one night.

A young man, also Asian, with short black hair and a blank face is standing there. His voice is steady with no hint of emotion when he asks permission to enter. Alfred sweeps his hand in a gesture to go on ahead. A slight inclination of the head is all he gets in return.

The shorter man introduces himself as Kiku Honda, and doesn't beat around the bush when he states he too is a killer. Alfred mulls that over as they stare at each other, and comes to the conclusion that Kiku already knows that he and Alfred are alike so there is no point in hiding anything. He nods his head and thinks he knows what has happened.

"Look, if this is your territory I get it. I can leave if you've already claimed the right to kill...Yao, I'm guessing?" Yao is the only thing they would have in common if he is correct, and the only reason another killer would confront him.

"You are correct, but only on the later part of your statement. I have set my sights on Yao but you do not need to leave. In fact, I am here to ask something of you."

When Kiku doesn't speak again, obviously waiting for Alfred's acknowledgment, Alfred prompts, "Go on."

"I would like to know if you would want to accompany me on this kill."

"You wanna team up?" Alfred asks, surprised because he definitely was not expecting this. They have only just met and already the guy's asking to work together.

To Alfred's further surprise, Kiku flushes red and breaks eye contact for the first time since entering his motel room. He is also displaying emotion in a way Alfred was beginning to think impossible of him.

"I will admit that I had planned on taking Yao out quietly and efficiently, but I saw you observing him and..." Kiku looks back at him, his eyes staring deeply into Alfred's. There is something there Alfred is used to seeing.

He raises his eyebrows, an act that prompts Kiku to continue, as Alfred wants to hear him say it.

"...I put off my plans to watch you for a few days," he admits, and Alfred nods because he's seen this coming, knows where this talk will lead. He is not adverse to the results.

"Truly I have never seen a more striking being. I had thought you perfect until I figured out you too were plotting to end a life. Your beauty to me is impossible to express with words."

This man is certainly quite the charmer, but Alfred never would have guessed from watching the guy. Still, even with his past and the compliments he is used to getting from horny young men, Kiku's words bring heated redness to his face. Maybe a partnership, however short and experimental, would not be such a bad idea.

He smiles in a way he knows people like. "Thank you. I see no reason to turn down your proposal. I think it would be interesting and beneficial to work alongside another like myself. Perhaps we can talk more over dinner, if you are not needed elsewhere tonight?"

Kiku agrees with barely a stumble in his words despite what that smile is doing to him.

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The next couple of days they plan out their strategy. Much like with Natalia, Kiku has many good ideas Alfred can't wait to assimilate into his own techniques.

He learns that Kiku kills his victims slowly, often bringing them to secluded locations to revel in their screams. It is unexpectedly dark for such an emotionless person, but Alfred knows not to assume anything about anyone, as he himself doesn't appear a serial killer.

Alfred knows, at least with their chosen victim, that he will have to forgo the sexual gratification. But all is not lost, as he and Kiku prove fairly compatible in bed. Alfred knows nothing beats sex and a good kill together, but he will settle for one or the other, or both even if separated by several hours.

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They decide to drug Yao to get him to a suitable location. Kiku had suggested that they work together even at this juncture: Alfred will approach Yao, set his drink—the same as Yao's—close to the man's own before Kiku will distract him. Alfred will casually pick up Yao's glass, leaving the drug laced one for the man instead. He will leave while Yao and Kiku chat, then meet with Kiku at a rendezvous to wait out the party. Their drug of choice is slow acting, so by the time Yao makes it to his home the drug's effects should kick in. From there they will extract the drugged man to a somewhat secluded location and await his return to consciousness so they may proceed to torture him to death.

Alfred admits to Kiku while they dress for the party Yao will be at that his own plans never involve such complexity. Though, he knows his plans never fail, because he knows how the game is played and knows how men are and can be. Some may become suspicious afterward, but it is too late at that point to defend themselves.

They arrive at the party and execute their plan, which succeeds. With the drugs circulating through their victim's system, the waiting game begins.

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It turns out the drugs effect Yao more strongly than they'd anticipated, because the front door is unlocked and left open a sliver, and the man is passed out in the entryway to the living room. Kiku and Alfred look at each other and Alfred shrugs, because he doesn't care where Yao is in the house. This outcome makes their jobs easier, because they didn't have to break anything and anyone who saw Yao leaving probably thought him drunk. And since he's alone, that was probably somewhat normal for him.

They carry him to Kiku's car because he has the supplies necessary to restrain their victim. Then they drive out a few miles to a lonely barn house.

Since Kiku likes the screams but Alfred usually silences his victims, they agree to gagging. Kiku will still get his sounds of pain and despair while Alfred doesn't have to deal with the loud screams he hates.

They blindfold and gag their victim, then Kiku waves something under Yao's nose, jolting his to consciousness. The drug still probably has a mild effect on his body.

Kiku uses a katana to kill. Alfred finds that fascinating, though can relate because he uses knives most of the time. He's reminded of Natalia and that dickhead Ivan suddenly, and frowns. He wishes he was dead enough inside to betray his brother, because losing Natalia was and is painful. She was so skilled, and Alfred's already black hatred for Ivan grows until, when he joins Kiku, their victim is but scraps when they are finished.

Alfred wonders if Kiku will help him kill Ivan.

They clean up and return to town to pack their things before they move on.