12 A.M

Dexter had finally returned from the crime scene, and by then I was already changed into my pajamas and laying down on the couch. Underneath the cushion I stashed a kitchen knife, in case anyone but Dexter had entered the apartment. I looked up at him. Dexter smiled tiredly at me and kicked his shoes off. He took a seat next to me on the couch.

"Was everything okay?"

"Yeah, everything was fine. I was almost raped on the way home, but eh."

"What?" he choked.

I laughed. "I'm sorry, I'm kidding. Bad joke. But in all seriousness, everything was fine. I got home okay, and the apartment was fine when I walked in. No intruders or signs of a break in."

"Good." he nodded. "I've gotta go into work tomorrow. So, I'll wake you up when I leave."

"Okay." I yawned. "Did you find any-"

"Of his blood? Yes. It trailed from the spot where you fought, to the window sill. You must've cut him deep."

"That was the point. I wanted blood left behind. Come to think of it," I stretched, "you could have tested the blood from my knife."

He pursed his lips and nodded his head. "Yeah, I could've done that."

"Anyway, at least there's blood."

"And a good amount of it. This should help." Dexter got up. "You should go to bed."

"And so should you. Goodnight, Dexter."

"Goodnight."

Dexter ambled down the hall and into his bedroom. The door creaked as it shut behind him.

. . .

Dexter woke me up and let me know that he was leaving for work. I mumbled my goodbye and rolled over and fell back to sleep.

. . .

Hours later I awoke, sometime late in the afternoon, groggy, despite the fact that I had slept well over ten hours. I sat up and stretched, cracking the bones in my back, and getting the kinks out of my neck. I always hated sleeping on the couch.

. . .

After pulling an outfit out of the drawer in Dexter's dresser that he had allotted for my belongings, I ran the water for a bath. Before pulling up the drain, I allowed the water to heat up. Funny, that in the ninety degree weather, I choose to take a bath.

Oh well.

The tub filled, and I went into the kitchen. I checked the drawers and found what I'd been looking for. One of Dexter's knives, a meat cleaver, I removed from its spot and returned to the bathroom. You may think I'm being paranoid, but I look at it as being prepared for a visit from the killer. Or one of his accomplices, if there are any.

I believe there are. There is no way this man is working alone. He is always one step ahead of me, if not more. Thirty, maybe. I sighed heavily and stepped into the hot water. Instantly I began to feel relaxed. The hot water soothed my tense, tired muscles. Then I washed.

I sunk down into the tub until only my eyes were above the soapy water. I closed my eyes and listened to the sounds; the droning of the air conditioner, the pipes carrying water throughout the complex, and the…the door opening?

My body remained completely still, and my ears listened closely. The lock clicked, signaling that it was open. But whoever was at the door, could not make it past the chain. They slammed into the door, until the small chain had snapped, granting the intruder access.

Slowly, I slid out of the tub, careful not to disturb the water. I pulled my shirt and pants on and clutched the cleaver. The blade pressed against my chest, nicking my skin, even through the fabric. Figuring it would be best to draw the intruder to me so that apprehension would be easier, my hand reached out and flicked the light switch to the OFF position. I gripped the switch tightly and pulled down, snapping the object off of the wall, and proceeded to open the door a crack as well.

Footsteps trailed closer. And closer. My muscles became rigid. I shifted into the space between the door and wall, and waited for the unknown person to step into the bathroom. The door pushed open slowly.

"Hm?"

The intruder tried turning the light on. I approached them slowly. I swung my arm around to cover their mouth. With the heavy handle of the knife, I drove the blunt end into their temple. The intruder's body became limp. They dropped to the floor.

Stepping over the slack body, gripped their ankle and pulled them out into the hall to better see their face. Despite their large frame, the body was light, and proved to be easy to move. I stared down.

I sighed at the body, grinning slightly.