18. Killer

I got too confident. The first ones to die were the idiots. They are all idiots, but the dead ones were on a lower level.

I bolt across the gas station's parking lot, past the guy pumping gas. I run across the lot of the dry cleaner next door, waiting any moment to hear the gun fire behind me. The man doesn't even shout. Why the fuck would he try to stop me? Did he know Joe?

Fuck. I run until my lungs are burning and my knees start to shake. Stumbling down into the train station, I stand near one of the tiled columns and watch the stairs anxiously as I wait for the train to arrive. I cut him, but not that deep. He could have ran if he wanted to – if he was determined too. Maybe he was just another Disciple in the area trying to help out one of his buddies.

My body is still shaking as the train pulls up to the platform. Only a few people get on and I move to the end of the car, sitting down and clutching my hands together as I keep my eyes on the station's platform. A ding sounds in the speakers and there is a hiss as the doors slide closed and the train begins to move.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

I got too confident. I nearly fucked up everything. I wasn't afraid to go down for these murders. But it would eat me alive to sit in prison for years knowing any of these fucks were still out on the streets.

The trains stops at a few stations before I feel confident enough to get out. I walk a few blocks, checking over my shoulder every few seconds. I don't stop to let myself think or try to stop the shaking in my limbs. Right now, my brain is just focused on getting back to the safety of my apartment.

My hand stays tucked in my pocket, my fingers clutched around the bloody knife. I take the L-train back to my neighborhood and keep an eye on the people moving around as I walk into the foyer. Adjusting the hood on my head, I wait for the elevator to slowly make its way down and finally breathe once the doors slide open.

Stepping into the box, I hit the button for my floor and look down. Someone gives an angry groan as they enter the foyer and I hit the button again to urge the elevator to close. I am not in the mental state to have someone in this box with me. A relieved sigh escapes me as the doors start to close, but a hand shoots out to stop them before they seal shut. Bile rushes up my throat as I see the bloody fingers push the doors open and I take a step back, eyes going wide, as the fucker I cut walks onto the elevator with me.

How did he find me? This was impossible. Even worse, with the lights from the elevator, I am finally able to see his face. Blood is leaking down one leg and he hobbles as he steps over the metal plate toward me.