THE HATE FILLED RHETORIC

They were now at the office, Rusty was finishing his breakfast and coffee. He went through Maddie's files from many years earlier and knew Maddie was involved in the murders around her neighborhood, but could never prove it was her. He had interviewed Maddie before and she seemed so sweet and innocent. He also interviewed Tim. He seemed like a concerned father, who wanted Maddie to feel safe. The files detailed the murders of kids around the neighborhood and at the school. There was also a report on a missing father and his two daughters that were never found. Rusty had always suspected her from the beginning. The news report came on TV about the murder. The reporter was interviewing citizens. He ignored it.

"Let's hear what some of the residents think about the Night Slasher," the reporter said.

A man in a tank top and bandanna was on the TV.

"Yeah, I know all about the Night Slasher," he stated, "She's alright cha'know. That's what this city needs, someone who ain't afraid to kill all these punks. She ain't afraid to do it. She's kicking ass cause the cops ain't doing nuffin. They scared to fight crime. I hope she goes after the Muslims next."

Another man in a suit and tie was now being interviewed.

"This is all wrong," he said, "This is not the way to fight crime. This is sick and demented. Whoever this Night Slasher psycho is needs to be locked away. We need to teach any offenders, first or second, to adapt to society. They need to be rehabilitated and treated fairly. We need more gun control laws so the crime rate can go down. What's that? No, I'd never go near one of these lowlifes."

Maddie was in her bunker sitting on the couch. She was watching the news report and was smiling. Her message was sent to the intended people. The fact that she made people cower with fear, made her sleep at night. She had heard interviews like that before and the people seemed to be spilt. Either way, people were liking her or people feared her. That was enough satisfaction. Maddie looked at a picture of Tim, her father and smiled.

Maddie had the remote in her hand. The tape Tim made for her was still in the video camera which was hooked up to the TV. She was unable to watch it. She would press play and see Tim taking a deep breath and then she would pause and rewind it. With all the fear she put into the bad people, she had a fear of her own and that was watching Tim's message. She rewound the tape again and pressed play. Tim looked at the screen.

"Madeline…" he said.

Maddie paused it and rewound it again. She pressed play and Tim looked at the camera.

"Madeline…" he said.

She once again paused it and then turned off the camera and the TV. Every day since his death, she would not be able to watch the tape. She was curious as to what he had say but she worried that his words may have an impact on her and not in a good way.

During the weekend, Maddie did not spend her days in the bunker until night; she went out during the day with no face paint and dressed in regular clothing. When Maddie got outside, she looked back at her old home. Another family had moved in there. She thought about the times she spent in there with Tim. She looked at the driveway and remembered the times Tim would drive her home. She also remembered when she was older and when he would come home, she would run out and hug him. She decided to head out towards the city. No one would recognize her without her face paint and she was also dressed as a typical city girl. She had on a pair of jeans, dress boots, a blouse, and a baggy hat. She also carried a messenger bag. She remained alert in case some cops recognized her.

She walked past the elementary school. Seeing the school always brought back bad memories. The only good memory was when Tim used to pick her up. He always had a smile on his face when he saw her and she did as well. The school went through a drastic change. It was once a nice building but now it was beginning to show signs of wear and there was garbage on the grass.

Maddie eventually made it to the city by taking the subway. The tall buildings, the busy streets, and noise was something she was not too fond of. She found it fascinating that she could walk in the open without anyone knowing who she was. She entered a novelty toy store. She would come in here a lot to gather face paint. The store sold many toys, costumes, party supplies, body jewelry, and clothing. Tim would take her in here a lot and buy here just about anything she wanted, including Captain Max and Princess Phoebe. One of the store clerks began following her as she walked to the back of the store. He hid around the clothing racks and the ends of the aisles.

There were many varieties of face paint, but Maddie knew exactly what to get. She reached for the white paint and could sense the guy hiding behind her. She smiled as she felt his heartbeat. Just to be safe, she packed a knife with her. Then, he came out of hiding. His name tag read Nate.

"Hi, can I, uh, can I help you?" Nate said.

Maddie turned around with a smile.

"Just looking for some paint," she replied.

He walked closer to her and sensed the aura of nervousness around him. It made her feel great.

"Any particular colors?" He asked.

"I am looking for red and black."

He reached for the red paint, not knowing which of the many shades she needed. He grabbed a darker shade and dropped it on the floor. Maddie giggled. He picked it up and stared at her shapely legs. He rose and handed it to her. During the exchange, she could feel the vibrations from his nervousness. She giggled again.

"So, you know which shade I prefer," she said.

"You got it last time," he said.

"You remembered."

He nodded and stared at her. She smiled and giggled.

"Oh, you need, um, you need black, right?" He said.

He reached for the black paint and handed it to her.

"Thank you for your help," Maddie said, smiling.

"I'll ring you up," he replied. "If you're ready."

Nate stared at her as she walked towards the register.

She left the store and headed down the street with her purchases in her bag. She walked past an anti-cop protest where there were people shouting in the streets trying to promote their hate filled rhetoric. They have been known to block off roads in the past. Maddie tried to ignore them as she walked by. Some of the citizens were supporting them and some opposed them. There were smashed cars, and broken building windows nearby. The leader of the protest, named Darian, stood on a platform and shouted obscenities at those who opposed them. He was a young man who attempted to manipulate the citizens by telling them the police were thugs. Maddie heard Darian speak, but to her it was all nonsense. Tim told her that people like them were only trying to find a way to be a victim because they were anti-American and only wanted hate. Maddie watched him with a bit of evil in her eyes. It was like Darian was a preacher; he had followers who applauded his words and they would also hold their hands in the air. She continued down the street, away from the hate. But all Maddie could think about was Tim and the tragic day that occurred. She battled with the thought of getting revenge or letting it go. Did he deserve it? Maddie had no answer.

Rusty was driving in his car around the area. He thought about the message that was sent and wondered who the Night Slasher was. He wanted to bring the culprit in; one last case before retirement. He stopped his car near a dry cleaner and got out. He walked into the alley behind it and stared into it. This was the same alley that Clara was found dead 3 years earlier. He pictured the alley as it was then: A teenage girls body, the taped off area, pictures being taken, and officers and detectives searching the area. Clara's body was pale with blood marks on her arm. Her eyes stared straight into the gray sky. Rusty walked closer, passing the officers and the photographer. He shoved him away and then kneeled by her body. He placed her hand on her face. Then, it all disappeared. Suddenly, he was kneeling in an alley all alone. The thought that Clara was dead and the ones responsible were never brought to justice, was something Rusty had to live with.

Maddie was still walking down the street. She was now a good distance away from the protest, but felt like going back and slicing up every one of them, not because she disagreed with them, but because she found them irritating. She did not consider them to be bad people; they just wanted to convey a message. Tim's philosophies on life had started to come true and Maddie realized the world will only destroy itself. She sat down at an outdoor eatery to have a chicken sandwich and a soda. There was a news report on a TV outside.

"Police are baffled at the disturbing site left on Harrison Road last night," the reporter said, "The police claim it has been the work of the Night Slasher."

Maddie smiled.

"The reason behind this act of atrocity is uncertain," the reporter continued, "Police have stated that the Night Slasher is still at large and she is extremely dangerous. If you have any information, please report it to the police. Do not attempt to apprehend her should you come in contact."

Maddie felt overjoyed hearing people talk about her kill. She was sitting around other people and no one knew she, the Night Slasher, was there. She sat there and ate, watching more of the news. A report came on about a Muslim terrorist group. They had bombed a corporate building two days ago.

"The group stated these attacks will continue on American soil," the reporter said, "Let's hear what some residents of the city had to say."

A hipster man was on the screen. The field reporter stood beside him.

"We need to treat everyone with respect," he stated, "Not all of them are like this. We need to welcome them and obey their culture. They are doing this because we do not respect them."

"What about people who disagree with your statements?" The field reporter asked.

"They're...irrelevant."

The field reporter asked another man with a scruffy beard and a trucker hat his thoughts on the terrorist group.

"If we stop lettin' them in this country, none of this will happen," he said, "We should 'round them up and ship them back to wherever the fu…, whatever country they came from. America has become a nation of pussies because we bow down to their culture. Purdy soon, we will all be blown to hell."

Maddie payed her tab and left the area. Suddenly, a large explosion occurred at a nearby building. Debris fell to the street below, hitting cars. People ran for their lives as Maddie stood still, watching the side of the building burn in flames. A few moments later, a fire truck came by. The firemen got out and sprayed the fire. Then, a few police cars arrived on the scene. Maddie remained still.

"Everyone back away!" One police officer yelled.

People ran away from the blast as Maddie stared at it. The police and firemen ran towards the burning building. She watched the flames and knew she had to hunt down the enemy.