The sky glittered with stars as the man walked down the gravel pathway that led directly to an old barn. A sudden gust of wind blew across his bare shoulders as if mocking him for his near failure. He tightened his grip on his tattered, blood-soaked shirt with his left hand, the feeling of his nails deep in the soiled fabric calmed him as much as it excited him. His plan went off course much to his displeasure, but for once in his mundane life, he did exactly what he wanted to do since he was a boy. Soon, the man reached the barn and slipped inside. Through the dark he found his way to a pile of dusty hay in the corner and pulled out his knapsack from underneath, dusting off the dirt and straw. He stuffed his shirt inside and retrieved a clean one. He had to move fast, he had to be gone before he made another mistake, and he’d already made too many slip-ups in one night. The man then reached into a smaller pocket of the knapsack and dug out a box of matches and lit one, throwing it on the pile of hay. Dismally, he couldn't stay to admire the flames leap and destroy what used to be his safe ground. If only he had more time, but his original plans were unpropitiously derailed by a witness now on the loose. Despite that, he could smell the burning wood as he walked away and that brought him enough tranquility. He planned to disappear, catch the 3 a.m train and never see this godforsaken town again. By now, he was sure that the only way out of here was blocked and swarming with law enforcement. And for that, he was to blame. He should’ve been certain that no one was watching. For the next half hour, the man’s shoes crunched the fallen twigs as he trudged through the dense trail of trees and wild shrubs. Anyone else would easily get lost in the dark but fortunately for him, as a forest ranger, he knew these woods like the ABC’s. As he continued walking, he thought about the special event that occurred a few hours ago. The sudden rush that filled his bones just after had worn off and was replaced by triumph. He’d never been prouder of himself than in that moment. He’d spoken anonymously online with multiple individuals just like him; those who longed to unleash the beast living inside them. And those who’ve already let their monsters roam advised the first timers that patience would reward them sizably. They were right. He needed to wait a little longer but the itch became stronger, more urgent. Now he’d have to overcome his faults in his great plan. In his mind, he laid out a pros and cons chart. Pros: His witness was a child, maybe ten, maybe less. The child’s description of him may be unreliable due to the darkness. He wore a cap to shield his head and eyes, a good call on his part. Cons: He had no way of knowing how much the child had seen. And his escape route was compromised. By the time he reached his house, the man knew what had to be done. Hurriedly he locked all the doors and windows, keeping the lights off, not including the one in his bathroom. He laid the knapsack in the corner nearest to the tub and rummaged through the drawers underneath the sink, grabbing a pair of scissors and shaving shears. Beginning with his long hair, he snipped off large bits until it rested just below the ears. Then he shaved his beard, leaving behind a clean stubble. He studied himself in the mirror, satisfied with the result. He appeared almost ten years younger, a look that was necessary for his predicament. Even with such a simple change to his looks, it was a perfect disguise, considering how different he looked without the lengthy locks and scruffy beard. Still, he was stuck in this town and there was nothing else he could do but wait. For the larger part, he felt confident that he would not be caught. After all, he was a friendly, churchgoing, well-liked man of the community. Who would dare point fingers in his direction? He was guiltless anyway.