The Nightshade Killer (Enver)

[Nightshade (DELETED 9648)]

“The Nightshade Killer Strikes Again!”

The headlines to the paper were delicately clear. The serial killer had once more taken another life. This time it hadn’t taken them very long to test for the deadly poison. It also didn’t help that the police knew already from the crimson red markings of lips on the male’s cold, dead cheek. It had been two years they had been chasing her. Two years in which over twenty bodies were found with the poison in their system.

It was an accident when she killed Joshua. He was her best friend. Her lover. He was her very first in everything she had ever done. Including killing. It truly was an accident. They had wondered into the woods and found some berries. They seemed harmless. When she ate one it had churned her stomach but she had liked them. When she gave them to Joshua he had eaten a handful. His mouth became dry. His pupils dilated and he began to convulse.

Katherine quickly had called 911 but by the time they had gotten there it was too late. Vomit covered the ground. His breathing was almost non existing as she held him tightly in her arms. Tears streamed down her face as she watched him die. The paramedics whisked him away while another sent her to the hospital. Doctors ran test after test. The poison ran deep into her bloodstream but nothing had seemed to affect her.

Months had passed by. Research upon research engulfed her life on the plant that took him away. She could hear his voice. He visited her nightly speaking to her as if she was a psycho person needing to be locked away. Soon her obsession became her life.

The second victim took longer. She had met him at the bar and snuck out the back door with him giving him false hope things were about to happen. As they walked down the back alley she had slipped juice into the flask the male had handed her. Taking a small sip she smiled sweetly as she handed it back to him. She had expected the death to be quick. The symptoms to be the same as Joshua’s but they were not. He was slower…more painful to die. This night she quickly learned that the poison did not work as quickly for everyone. Height and weight and tolerance began to be a scientific research for her. Each victim would be a new experiment to see what
exactly would happen.

Each day she would take a little more of the poison. She would slowly build her tolerance giving her a blissful sensation and more of an urge to kill. As time passed between each victim the urge became unreal. She enjoyed watching the die. She enjoyed watching them suffer. She was quickly changing into a monster and she loved every minute of it.

“Katherine. You should really leave this city now. You have killed more than the last city and
they could find you.”

“Joshua, shut up. I know what I am doing. I have yet to be caught. They are not even close to finding me. They can’t even find my DNA.” She replied angrily. Pushing dark strands from her face she looked at him. “Besides, the only time they caught me was when it was you and that
was ruled an accident.”

Joshua huffed and crossed his arms as he looked at her. “Just because you keep getting away with it does not mean you will be so lucky next time. You know you won’t do well in jail when the urge to kill sets in again. How long has it been since the last one? A few days? A week maybe.”

Katherine closed her eyes forcing him to go away. Even if it was for a little while she couldn’t stand to talk to him when he got like this. He was always nagging at her. Telling her when toleave and how to live her life. She loved him very much but man she was tired of it. Letting out a deep sigh she pulled out her phone.

“Where should we go next? You will not leave me alone until we move. I just know it. I was
starting to really like this place…”

He didn’t speak to her. He was nowhere to be found. She knew she had made him mad this time and he wasn’t going to speak with her for a while. Thumbing through her phone nothing had appealed to her. Nothing seemed worthy of the serial killer to venture into. Cities with large clubs, bust streets were the best. It was easy to kill in places like that.

It had taken her almost a week to arrive in the new city. The city far away in the place called Canada. She had never been to Canada. Maybe this would give her better opportunity to hunt. To have better victims here in this new place. Quietly she sat in a tiny café her eyes scanning the members inside. The hunt had begun. The thirst was driving her insane. Joshua hadn’t spoke to her in over a week and it was driving her insane. It was time to find a new victim tonight someone would die.

[Enver Marshall II]

"God dammit!" Enver snarled as he dropped the wrench he had in his hand and it came clattering down on top of him. It had bounced off his head, then his shoulder and finally hit the wood on the floor of his boat, before becoming lifeless. He sighed, grabbed it, then shook his head. He wasn't getting anywhere with this damn engine, so it was best to call it a night. Find something else to do-something a little more relaxing that didn't require the Allurist to rip apart half the boat's engine to try and figure why it kept choking before it even really got some life in it.

"Another night, lady." Enver said as he closed the box to the engine, then stuffed the wrench in its respectable tool box, before Enver stood and wiped the grease from his hands on his grey tank top. He ran his right hand through his hair, sighed, then put the toolbox on the counter and headed for the only bedroom on the boat to shower and change. While he was stopping in to work, there wouldn't be anyone there. Maybe Miss Knight, depending on what she was up to, but no suits. No one he needed to dress up for to impress, or portray this business visage Enver had created for himself.

He wore a pair of light denim jeans, a grey t-shirt and because it was a little cooler tonight than it usually was in August, Enver put on a maroon pull over and left the zipper part primarily unzipped. He climbed the stairs to the deck of his old best friend, hopped off the side of the boat and hit the dock he had parked her at. His other friend, and more newer one; a red Spyder was still waiting for him where Enver had left her, to which he climbed into, revved the engine and took off for the Marshall Empire within the city limits.

He hated coming here. One day he might move his empire to Chalktown, but for now it kept him coming to the city and conversing with people he still gave a damn about. Indigo, even Adley Reed had grown on him, despite Enver's opinions about what he should be doing with Miss Knight. Was the guy blind or what? Then there was Camilla, who preferred the bustle of the city life, over the slow crawl of Chalktown, but it wouldn't always be like this. Chalktown, that was. It just needed time and money; both things the Allurist had a lot of.

He was just about to his building, when the phone in his car went off. Enver glanced at the screen to look and see that it was Ben calling-his long time movie producer friend. "Talk to me Ben." Enver said as soon as he connected the call to the Bluetooth in the Spyder as he turned down the block. "Heeeey, Enver. What's on your plate tonight? Got time to spare for an old friend?" Enver grinned and nodded, while he answers Ben vocally. "Yeah. Where and when?" Enver didn't care what was on the agenda with the guy, because Ben was one of his longest standing friends. Even after he found out the truth about Enver; who he really was, the guy stuck by him. But maybe that was because Ben always had a knack for making money and knew that if he could talk Enver into producing his book that they would make a killing together. Whatever the case, Enver never got the sense from the guy that they were anything but friends. Even if they made a few bucks off each other.

"Now would be good. I'm heading to a cafe. I'll send you the details." Ben said before he hung up, making Enver chuckle and shake his head. The call ended and Enver pulled over to glance at his phone. The other side of town. Good thing he had a car that went from zero to sixty in a matter of seconds. He did a u-turn and sped off towards the cafe of Ben's choice.

The Attire

[Nightshade (DELETED 9648)]

The tiny cafe was quaint to Katherine. It had fluorescent lighting that gave a welcoming feeling that made her feel a little at home. People bustled in and out quickly constantly looking at their watch as if they all had somewhere to be. Wrinkling her nose she pondered if this place had a curfew. That would surely put a damper in the hunt to find someone to kill this evening. The desire was starting to eat away at her forcing her to scan every male figure that walked into the bar. Every once and awhile she would glance at the male behind the counter but the thought of Joshua would pop in and she would withdraw quickly. He was a beautiful mistake her Joshua. His beautiful hazel eyes and chocolate brown hair that died in her arms. A beautiful horrific mistake that awakened the demons within her soul that craved blood. Shivering slightly her mind was shook as the waitress repeated the words she had said once already.

“Uh Miss? Did you want another drink. I know it is August but we have pumpkin spiced lattes on sale right now. Maybe something different this time? Would you like another snickers?” The waitress seemed uneasy around her as she looked around hesitantly. Allowing a soft small to caress her lips she nodded “I would like another snickers please. Something about falling into the white girl craze of pumpkin is just not my forte but thank you.” Paying the waitress she gave her an extra five dollar tip. “Thank you for everything you have done.” Her eyes sparkled as she looked the woman over for a moment. She was cute. Super cute actually with her blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Her lips made a soft pout when she was not talking to Katherine.

Slowly she slid a hand over her knee high black dress it was perfect for nights like this. It was revealing but not truly. Thin straps bit into the flesh of her shoulders as the material seemed to hug her curves in exactly the right places. With killing Katherine had learned that one had to be a good actress. Each situation was different in order to lure her victims out. In this stance tonight would be different. She would be sad, clumsy and downright pathetic if the right man appeared. Flicking a tongue over her bottom lip the sapphire eyes beauty scanned the cafe once more. Nothing had come in for over an hour until the door had opened. A male stood in the doorway for what seemed for ever. A cell phone glued to his ear as he peered around looking for the right table. As she tried to focus on the man the cute waitress called out her name. “Katherine your order is ready!” The male had slid the phone from his ear to the palm of his hand seeming to text as quick as he talked. Shaking her head she knew this one was the one.

Sliding from the table she made her way towards the counter. Delicate cookies decorated the counter giving off their sweet aroma trying to entice the customers to buy them. Slowly she reached out to grasp her coffee waiting for the man to become closer to the counter. Her eyes scanned those making the coffee as she tried to make small talk for a brief moment. “Thank you so much, the first one was lovely. I appreciate the good coffee here. Have a wonderful night.” Her eyes glanced back to notice the male was right behind her and she knew this was her opportunity to strike.

Turning her body she forced herself to trip allowing the hot coffee to spill all over her and the male’s shoes. Counting to three Katherine closed her eyes preparing herself for the act. Opening them a look of horror spread all over her faceher eyes widening as she began to wipe her dress and the male’s shoes. “Oh I am so so sorry! Oh my goodness what a horrible night this has been first I am stood up for my date and now I am so clumsy I spill coffee everywhere. I am so sorry please let me clean this up!” She scrambled to her feet as she looked around for some kind of napkin and paper towel. Her flesh burned from the hot coffee which made her seem more like a damsel in distress. Finally finding what she was looking for she knelt back down and began to wipe his shoes.

[Enver Marshall II]

Her hair was the first thing Ben had noticed about her when standing behind the woman. He assumed (wrongly) that she was much younger than she actually was, judging by the back of her head and the color of her hair. Not that young was bad for the director, but he had had really young twice, and it hadn't panned out too well. Gold Diggers, which he more or less knew, but Ben hadn't expected the last one to take as much as she had. She had a much better lawyer than he expected. Not that it mattered. Once the movie was out, he and Enver would have more money than he knew what to do with.

When she turned to face him, coffee aside, Ben was surprised. Pleasantly so. He chuckled and shook his head, holding up his left hand. “My fault. I should learn the rules of personal space a little better.” Ben admitted as the woman started trying to clean his shoes with some napkins. “Really. It's fine. I've got at least two more pairs at home.” Ben leaned over at his waist a little to offer the woman a helping hand up.

“Let me buy you a replacement drink? The least I can do for my intrusion on your space...Miss?” Yeah, Ben was fishing, as he always did. Only this wasn't for bass or walleye like Enver fished for. Call him a glutton for punishment, but a pretty face never got overlooked by Ben if he could help it. “My name is Ben Williams.” His accent wasn't hard to place, given the tan complexion of his skin. 'Next!' the person behind the counter shouted out, as Ben took a step around the woman. “I'll have a large hazelnut mocha cappuccino and whatever she had ordered.” Ben wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to be chivalrous, especially to a woman who had took the brunt end of their mishap. “Here.” He offered a few more napkins to her, before looking at the guy behind the counter. “Do you have a wash cloth, or something?” He hadn't missed the pink tinge to her skin from the drink she spilled. The guy behind the counter forgoed the order for a second to help them both out, offering a clean, disposable wash rag to Ben, before hitting him with the total. A few wads of cash were pulled out of his wallet, Ben forgetting to order Enver's usual, given the company he was in.

[Nightshade (DELETED 9648)]

Katherine’s cheeks produced a light pink hue as the male tried to help her clean her mess up. Thoughts ran through her head of how she should be an actress. This had worked just like the time before except that was at a bar and much easier to lure the male outside and back into somewhere hidden from others. Forcing a soft smile she adoringly looked at the male as if he had been her hero by helping her. Slowly delicate fingers laced into his as he he helped her to stand to her feet. Slowly she wiped at her own dress. “Oh no please, you do not have to. It was my own foolish mistake. I should have been more careful, honest.” Idle hands pushed strands of hair from the frame of her face as Ben had spoke to her. “My name is Katherine.” She paused for a moment. “Katherine Bathory.” The named dripped off her tongue in a strange fashion. She had never once told anyone her name but Joshua. Joshua. She had yet to see him since she arrived at this place and it was starting to bother her. Since the night he had died he had always come to her. He was always speaking to her and giving her advice but since she had chosen to go on the hunt again he had been awol. It was a strange feeling for her to not hear his voice or see him.

“No honest it’s o…..” The man had ordered his drink and hers. Katherine’s face deepened a shade as she tried to repeat her earlier statement but had not been quick enough. Taking the napkins she patted at the spot that had scorched her. It didn’t really hurt at all just seemed really pink. Placing the cool rag onto her arm she let sapphire eyes look him over. He was quite wealthy it was a shame she wanted to kill him instead of court him. Maybe she could actually settle down in this place and kill in secrecy. A tiny laugh pushed in her mind as she looked around the small cafe. “Since you were such a gentleman should we sit? I mean you did buy me another coffee and it would very rude of me to have spilled yours only to leave quickly.” Katherine gestured towards a table before whispering a quick thank you to the boy who had helped them.

Moving towards a small table with three chairs she slid into a chair lady like. Violet strands falling from behind her ear to curve around as her eyes once more gazed around the almost empty place. “I swear sometimes I am such a cluts, and of course I am new here so my date would flake on me.” Lifting the cold rag she could see the brightness of the skin start to settle as it brought moisture back into the flesh. “Do you come to this place often? I think it is such a lovely little shop. Most of the staff here seem lovely.” Katherine shifted slightly as this part had always made her feel uneasy. Small talk. She was not good at small talk. At least in the bars most the time the men were intoxicated or attempting to be. If they were not they would sure try to get her home any way they could. Her eyes flashed towards the door for a moment as she watched another person come in before moving back towards Ben.

[Enver Marshall II]

Enver:

“Come on.” Enver muttered as he laid on the horn, stuck in the middle of a traffic jam. It was useless, blowing the horn, the road blocked and being rerouted [slowly] to a different side street due to some accident. Three cars it looked like. One was tipped on its side, one jammed into the base of the tipped car, while the other was facing the opposite direction and kissing the front bumper of the tipped car.

He sighed and got out his phone, after putting the car in park smack dab in the middle of the road. It wasn't as if they were going anywhere. He pulled up Ben's number and sent him another text, letting him know he was going to be a little later than anticipated, but to sit tight. Enver pocketed his cellphone, then moved the car out of park and pulled it to the side of the road. He parked it there, cut the engine, got out and locked it. He was going to walk and hope his car wouldn't be towed by the time he came back for it. Not that he was worried about paying the fine, but things happened in car impounds. Scratches. Dents. Enver gritted his teeth thinking about it. He locked his car a second time for good measure, before heading east to the cafe of Ben's choosing.

Ben:

After both drinks had been ordered, the woman with the striking hair suggested they sit and Ben didn't need to be asked twice. He had both their drinks in each of his hands as he followed her to the table of her choosing, then set hers down on the side she claimed. He sat on the opposite side, and listened to her story. Ben couldn't help but think the date's loss was now his gain. It was just how things worked and if the guy was a big enough idiot to flake on his date, then Ben was all too happy to take his place for the night.

“Maybe he's running late?” Ben offered as he sipped his drink, but followed it with another idea. “I don't really have plans tonight, so maybe we could just keep each other company until he comes?” Ben would act as if he were taking the high road, and would silently hope that he never showed. Enver would understand. In fact...he should send him a text. Cancel their plans and make it up to him tomorrow. Ben slowly put out his phone and set it on the table, noticing the message icon lit up. “I've been here a couple times. I used to prefer another place, but they changed their coffee bean or something. Tastes cheap and watered down. Gave it another shot after the first bad cup, but after round two, I was smart enough not to go back and smart enough to not waste my money.” Ben said as he held up a finger and swiped his phone to see the message was from Enver.

He felt a little bad. The guy was now walking here to meet him. And who knew how long that would take? The guy was a vampire, for Christ's sake. Didn't they just run to their location or something? Ben didn't reply, but did stuff his phone back in his coat pocket. “So not often, but the staff has kept me coming back. As well as this.” Ben held up his coffee cup and grinned a little. “You said you were new? Where abouts are you from?” Ben asked as his eyes landed on Enver who locked eyes on him as the tall vampire entered. He saw Enver pointing to the counter like a good 'wingman,' and Ben just nodded his head. “I've been here a few months. I'll be going back to California in about six or seven months, myself.”