Chapter III- Nightshade

It had been two weeks since Morgan had been discharged from the hospital, and there was no sign of the approaching killer. She was starting to get paranoid, yet she was relieved. The still-injured girl was scared to return to her apartment, making up any excuse to crash on friends' couches. The police would come in to re-ask the same stupid questions and the same with the rest of her family; all of them over reacting at every little thing.

Her gut still hurt, literally and metaphorically. Morgan was still in pain from the wound her nightmare had given her, and her instincts would not let go of the fact that she was probably being watched.

What was she to do?

Her brother Daniel would fetch things for her from her small apartment, while she would coward in her car; keeping the doors locked and the windows rolled up. She felt alone at the same time though. The incident hit her like a train and reality was not a kind one. Morgan was twenty years old and single. She had only a couple of close friends and a boring day job. She realized that she just had the closest brush to death that you could have, and she wanted to change things. She wanted to be happy.

It had been nearly a month since she was almost gutted like a fish. The police acted like they were concerned but said the killer most likely wouldn't come back for her. Morgan couldn't help but feel slightly relieved to hear that, yet she knew not to be naïve. It was Sunday morning; Daniel was running her over to her apartment to get a sun dress for church. He held her arm as she ascended the flight of stairs. It would be the first time she would be in that place since…

Morgan closed her eyes, just thinking about it made her heart throb. Turning the key in that busted wood door took almost all of her courage. Letting out a deep breath, she pushed through, squinting at the sight of how messy it was. She reminded herself to clean up when she had the chance; it might take her mind off of a few things. Daniel immediately flopped down on her couch, turning on the game while she went to go get changed.

Her eyes landed on the open window that sat adjacent to her bed. She slowly closed it, her fingers shaking as she locked it. She had hardly noticed the few thin tears that had escaped her eyes. Morgan wiped them off, looking away from the window and reminding herself that if she didn't hurry, she would be late for the sermon. She smiled as she found a baby blue dress. Slipping on the cotton gown, she pulled her chocolate hair up into a neat bun and left.

Morgan breathed in the refreshing clean air of the church, loving the open room's bright aura and painted windows. Bells chimed sweetly as people pushed forward to get into their pews, everyone but the smaller kids wanting to be towards the front. The sermon went a little faster than usual, it was after all July and everyone was anxious to be out of the heat.

Morgan stayed after like usual, helping with cleaning up and greeting anyone who would walk by. The last few couples and families were almost gone, and she was exhausted. She sat down on a chair to try to catch her breath, digging through her purse for some of the pain killers her doctor prescribed. Her eyes wandered for a moment, trying to locate the nearest drinking fountain. She was quickly distracted by the sound of someone clearing their throat.

Morgan glanced up at the figure next to her. A water bottle was placed in her hands. She smiled at the man, "Thanks." He nodded, shifting awkwardly. Morgan gave him another look, almost gasping. "You're the pastor's son aren't you?"

The young man nodded, giving a half grin. He looked around twenty-four, his hair a smoky red that was pulled back. His eyes twinkled slightly, a hazel ringed with grey. The man had a strong jaw line, a soft shadow of a beard was neatly trimmed covered it. He stuffed his hands in his suit pockets, the black sports jacket was paired with a plain grey tie, but it looked nice with his eyes.

Meeting him came as quite a surprise to Morgan, actually. The pastor talked fondly of his son all the time to Morgan, always wanting to set them up on dates but his son was always busy. Meeting him now, she wondered how he could possibly be single! For god's sake he looked like Orlando Bloom's cousin.

He offered her his hand, "I'm Edmond."

She smiled brightly, gladly accepting his hand, "Morgan."

He looked shy to be honest, Edmond shifted again before clearing his throat, "My father has talked an awful lot about you."

Morgan's cheeks heated up instantly, "Oh," she managed out a squeak.

Edmond ran his hand through his hair, "You… want to get some coffee? That is if you're not busy or anything."

She shook her head, leaping up in the chair as she smoothed her skirt. "Not at all, I would love too." Thank god, she thought to herself, excited that things seemed to be going her way.

He offered her his arm, looping it through hers as they left the church. They soon found a park bench after ordering coffee and sat down. The two must have sat there for an hour talking.

"So where do you work, Edmond?"

He smiled, sipping on the small paper mug. "I own a small book store, it's nothing to great."

She was in awe, "Seriously? I love to read." He glanced at her, curiosity seeming to flood his eyes. "What's the store look like?"

He shrugged a little, now looking embarrassed, "It's not that big. The inside is lined with, well, books. I have a small coffee bar in the back with some booths and a small fire place."

Morgan looked down at her coffee, watching the steam flow off the top and the brown liquid swirl together. "It sounds nice," she bit her lip.

He pulled a loose stand of hair from her eyes, "I'd love for you to come by some time." Their eyes met, a blush was slowly forming on her cheeks. "Sadly I must be going," Edmond sighed, rising from the old park bench.

Morgan gave a half smile, feeling disappointed, "Here," she muttered, digging through her bag for a slip of paper then jolting down her number. He took the piece gladly, leaning down and kissing her hand before leaving.

The girl couldn't hold in the nervous giggle she was fuming once he was out of sight. He was so sweet.

And that's how the next couple Sunday's would follow… after the noon service, the two would grab lunch or drink coffee at his book store, talking for the rest of the day or until one of them had to actually work. Morgan had finally found something to look forward too. She was happy.

But not happy enough to go back to that apartment.

Of course she thought about it, Morgan had even decided to go back the week before! But then it happened, a sick reminder. A girl was killed just down the street from her apartment, the news said it was another attack from- she couldn't even muster his name.

She sat in her car once again, waiting for her brother to return with something from the apartment. She was starting to get anxious; sitting alone in her little beetle was killing her. The sun was setting quickly, the streets were already vacant and Daniel had been gone for almost twenty minutes. Letting out a deep breath, she jumped as a bang came from the side of the car. She closed her eyes and growled at Daniel when she realized it was only him knocking to remind her that the car was in fact locked.

He quickly sat down, smiling at her. "Sorry I took so long. By the way, someone had left flowers at your door. I put them in some water."

She blushed, were they from Edmond? "Was there a note?"

Daniel nodded, "I didn't read it though, here," he handed her a small envelope.

She opened it; her heart slowly sank as she read the letter inside.

You didn't forget me did you? Can't wait till I get my hands on you.

Morgan nearly screamed, covering her mouth quickly as she took the rest of the envelope's content out. The first picture was of a young girl with her throat slit open. The next was of another girl, throat slit and- oh dear god. Morgan felt tears start to stream down her face. The second girl's skirt was lifted up enough to show the several different knives that had been shoved inside of her womb. And each picture after that was worse.

She was hysterical at that point, shaking violently as her brother dialed the police. Morgan knew better, she told herself a million times not to be so naïve as to think he wouldn't come after her. She knew better! But what kind of monster….

She glanced at the last two. The next girl had the same thing- throat slit, knives and over objects shoved inside of her and even sodomized, but the girl's limbs were clearly all broken and strained. Her teeth were busted out and her nails had been torn off. Morgan didn't want to look at the last one, she didn't want to know what could be possibly worse than this, but something tugged at her to look at it. She immediately regretted it.

It was a picture of her parent's house. The house in which she was staying.

She couldn't handle it anymore, her stomach was in knots. Morgan opened the car door and leaned out, vomiting onto the pavement. How did he find their house?

A police car rolled up behind her small blue beetle, the officer racing to the car door and helping her out. His partner raced upstairs to her apartment to look around while he asked Daniel questions, wrapping Morgan in a blanket and setting her in the back of the police car.

The officer took the envelope from Morgan as his partner came back. He said he found nothing in the apartment but brought the flowers with him. She stared at them through the windshield. She was tired; her eyes were swollen and puffy. Fatigue had set in quickly but she continued to stare at the flowers.

Those flowers were from her future killer. She gave a weak smile to herself at the thought. It was hilarious really…

She continued to stare, and the more Morgan stared the more beautiful they became. The red flickering lights of the police car strung over their pale purple color made them just so, enchanting. She chuckled to herself once more, beautiful but toxic. Nightshade.

"I spoke to god today, and she said she's ashamed. What have become? What have I done? I spoke to the devil today, and he swears he's not to blame. And I understood, because I feel the same."