The rush I get from eluding prying eyes is like no other. I exist solely for the overpowering sensation of adrenaline coursing through my veins. Seeing panic overtake the senses of my prey sends chills through my body. How the smell of fear leaks from every pore as they begin to sweat from all the nerves taking over. It’s all so euphoric to me.

My newest source of joy lies still on the floor, slowly returning to conscientiousness after our first encounter. The occasional rise and fall of the rib cage betray their effort to remain lifeless. Eventually, their eyes open, their limbs twitching back to life. Uncertainty still resides in their thoughts as they struggle to recollect how they came to be here.

Patiently I wait in the shadows, my body aching with anticipation. Oh, how waiting winds me up. It's like a double-edged blade. Lingering drives me mad with a longing that only an addict can comprehend. Then, on the other hand, waiting makes the act so extensively sweeter when the moment arrives, and it always does.

Finally, they become entirely aware; crippling fear sets in as the totality of what's happened re-emerges in their mind. So nice of you to wake up. “Who are you? Where am I?” they ask nervously. “If I told you that, then it would take away the fun we are about to have; oh, the fun we will have indeed.” In reply cryptically.

At that moment, I see the helpless look in their eyes, bringing me to the threshold of giving way to my desires. But I stop myself because the fun can't end yet; no, it must endure a little longer, at least. Besides, I find the taste of victory is much more delicious the longer I torment my treats. I let a small beam of light cut through the space between me and them. The light momentarily allows them to catch a glimpse of their surroundings.

They see what I hoped they would, and to them, it's the way out. To me, it's the gateway to our final destination. I step forward to reveal my hulking shadow of a figure. My eyes are as red as murder, glowing ever brighter as the excitement builds. They catch my gaze and immediately cry out in a sheepish squeak. “Let me go, please.”

“Oh, I’m afraid I can't do that,” I croaked. “We have more to achieve before I can release you. In fact, we are about to move on to the next phase. Behind me are two doors. One takes you to safety, while the other will continue your path toward a disastrous ending. Either choice you make takes you from me, but only one prevents you from seeing me again. Choose wisely.”

The darkness washes over me, concealing my whereabouts as I watch them scramble to find the doors. My heart continues racing from all that is happening. A smile twists onto my face from knowing that I alone know how this ends. I watch as they desperately attempt to feel their way toward salvation. After a few moments, a pair of trembling hands anchor firmly on one of the doors.

Quickly they open the door and place a hand on the edge of the frame to feel what might be waiting on the other side. Immediately their hand is stopped by a solid brick wall. Grinning, I said, “Looks like you’ve picked the wrong door, my love. Maybe the next door will prove the better option.” My skin felt like it would burst from excitement as I watched them scurry to the next door. The door that would lead them out if they could find it.

At last, they come to the second door. A sinking feeling took hold of me as I realized the fun would soon end. This time the door swings open faster. Freedom is but a footstep away. I watch as they begin to proceed through the doorway, only to see them smack hard into another brick-laden portal. I take a deep breath in, capturing every ounce of fear-soaked air as they realize they cannot escape me.

With a sinister grin, I chime in again. “Do you seriously think I’d let a precious morsel like you get away? No, I simply wanted to nurture your fear. I wanted to make sure you were undoubtedly rank with it before ending our time together. Sadly I must say goodbye to you.” I move from the shadows of their confinement and drop the sizeable black coat concealing my proper form. Above this pitiful creature stands a body covered by blackened skin, charred and burning. My sulfur-rich aroma cascades down upon them, choking out what little oxygen remains in this place.

I kneel above them and firmly plant my skeletal-like hand behind their head. Screams ruminate from them as my hands twist flesh from bone. The screaming finally does me in, causing me to succumb to my desires. In one final motion, I yield their body lifeless. Now it is only me in this place. My fun has now ended, but the feast is yet to come, for it has to so that I may rest until the time comes again that I must find a new victim.