39. X

I smiled to myself. The plan was a success. The four of them were paranoid and suspicious, as I'd hoped.

With my mask secured on my face, I waited until the hockey captain made his way to the other side of the house before I began weaving my way through the crowds toward the kitchen. Four guilty souls entered this house, and tonight, only three would leave. One would be purified, and the first payment would be made.

Ah. There she was. So beautiful.

It was almost a shame that I had to do this, but it was necessary, and she was the easiest target.

When she stepped into the yard, I came up behind her, clamping my hand over her mouth and dragging her into the shadows before she had a second to react.

"Hello, darling," I whispered in her ear, running my hand through the silky length of her right pigtail before I drew out the knife. She struggled violently against me, her teeth scraping against my palm, but it was all in vain.

I drew the knife across her throat, feeling her warm blood spilling, draining the life from her body.

"This is all for you," I murmured, looking up to the sky as her lifeless body slumped in my arms. I carefully lowered myself to the ground, still cradling her back to my chest, and brought my hand up to mark the symbol on her skin, right above her heart, with red lines and swirls of blood.

It was done.

Until the next time.

One down…

Three to go.

1…2…3…4…

Who is knocking on Death's door?

TO BE CONTINUED…