Writer Lady peers back at the face belonging to the character who so desperately wants to be born. A dark and dangerous one. The man is of average height and slight build. He has the face of an amicable neighbor down the street. Writer Lady can see from his looks how he might attract his victims, mislead them into a false sense of security. She finds herself wondering how a thin man like him would overpower them.
“I'm a man,” he says reading her face. “Men naturally have more upper body strength than women. Especially women who are more interested in their looks than their health, you know the type. The women who don't exercise or hit the gym. The ones with the perfect hair and nails that are more interested in laying on the beach, showing off their bodies and chasing the latest trends while they gossip about people who actually do something meaningful with their time. That's where I started out,” he said. “They're my favorites.”
Her eyes grow wide as Writer Lady's voice catches in her throat.
“Bor-ing.” Carp’s voice sings next to Writer Lady's head.
Turning she looks up at the assassin-in- training as he shakes his head. “Can you be any more unoriginal?” Carp leans in close and whispers into Writer Lady’s ear, “Don't mind him someone probably stole his Barbie® dolls one too many times when he was a child.”
The serial killer turns his gaze from Writer Lady to Carp.
“That took a while didn't it?” Carp asks, the assassin-in-training turns his attention back to Writer Lady, “Did you know that most writers have areas they excel in?”
Writer Lady waits for more information.
“Some pen flowing descriptions, some create amazing worlds, others have a knack for zippy dialogue, some devise mind blowing plots, and others create incredible characters. You have a knack for zippy dialogue and I thought that was your strong suit but I've been looking around this place and the rate at which you create characters...let’s just say Antarctica wouldn't be quite so desolate if you were in charge of building up the population.”
Writer Lady rolls her eyes.
“Seriously, I'm pretty sure there are characters here you don't even remember thinking of. You have to meet Dick he is the absolute worst. This guy has to be born if only so you can kill him off later.
“Violence isn't my thing.”
“Your mysteries are delicious. You might want to rethink your direction.”
Serial Killer moves from behind the chair, taking position next to Tapper he places both hands on the table between them and leans in, he looks into Writer Lady's eyes and says, “I love violence. I've killed many times.”
Writer Lady freezes not wanting to show him he is intimidating her.
“OMG.” Carp says. “You’re so scary.” The retired romance novelist rolls his eyes as he returns his gaze to Writer Lady. “Seriously Dick is way more interesting.”
Serial Killer grumbles.
“Dude all you do is creep around and kill people, that is so last century.”
Writer Lady puts a hand over her mouth to cover a smirk that has involuntarily appeared. She looks at Carp, “What is it Dick does what makes him so killable?”
“He's a cyber criminal.” Carp announces.
“That covers a lot of ground, could you be more specific?”
“He started out trolling, then moved on to cyber stalking, then a bit of light hacking now he's into fishing, catfishing, malware, occasional ransomware, celebrity impersonation...anything you can think of he's done it.”
“For how long?”
“Ages.”
“He would have lots of victims. All over the world.” Writer Lady says thinking out loud. “Revenge, professional jealousy, a simple need to stop him...there could be several motives for murder in Dick's case.”
“And an infinite number of suspects.” Carp bounces as he claps. “You've been looking for a new story this could be the one that gets you on the map.”
“I'll never be on the map the map keeps moving.” Writer Lady counters.
Carp makes a face, “It’s just an expression, there is no map, there never was one. Anyone who tells you they have a map is full of it. Remember we only fail when we stop trying.”
“What has her getting on a map got to do with our current situation?” Tapper asks.
Writer Lady looks at Tapper, “You're talking!”
“I am.”
Writer Lady wonders what inspired her to create Tapper’s smile. Wherever it came from, it was a good one.
Serial Killer picks up where Tapper leaves off. “My time has come. Call me forth now.”
Writer Lady's eyes grow wide as fear builds inside her. She doesn't know what to do.
“Mom?” Dobby Cat says.
Writer Lady turns her attention to the ginger tabby. “You are the writer.” He says. “No matter how scary he looks you're the boss.”
She nods not certain she completely believes it. Tapper reaches out and takes Writer Lady's hand, he looks in her eyes and nods. She faces Serial Killer. “Not only am I certain this is not your time to be born I am wondering whether you should continue to exist at all, if you don't mind this is a private conversation.”
Serial Killer gives her a look she suspects he reserves for his victims in their last moments before death, growls and walks away.
“That was good.” Tapper says.
“Great going Mom.” Dobby Cat says embracing her.
“Not bad” Carp comments.
Writer Lady smiles, she turns back to Tapper. “You have a voice now, are we good here?”
“I think we are.”
“Until we meet again.” she says.
That lovely smile returns to Tapper’s face, “I look forward to working with you.”
Writer Lady returns his smile. Tapper rises from his seat walking in a direction opposite to that of the Serial Killer.
“Finished?” Carp asks.
Writer Lady nods.
“Great I can finally going to introduce you to the scammer.” Placing a hand on Writer Lady’s arm he guides her to the center of the room. In it stands a pale young man with dingy and unkempt hair. His chin is so weak his face practically blends into his neck which disappears under the collar of his sweater. The man is surrounded by a group of people who he seems to be talking to simultaneously.
“Yes, I know it's so tough being alone.”
“Hey babe, you kinky?”
“Make a fortune the easy way through virtual currency.”
“Flip houses successfully with no money.”
“Hi I'm JK Rowling.”
“Hi I'm Channing Tatum.”
“I'm Keanu Reeves.”
“Hi you may know me as Prince Harry. Elon Musk and I would love to invite you to join a unique opportunity.”
“Save the children.”
“Save the children.”
“Save the children.”
Writer Lady whispers to Carp, “You've been talking to him?”
“Yeah.”
“How?”
“Say something to him and see what happens.”
Writer Lady taps the scammer on the shoulder, “Hello,” she says. He turns to face Writer Lady. The scammer’s pupils light up as he scans her face. The word CREATOR lights up on the scammer’s forehead momentarily then disappears. “Hello.” he says with a warmth she did not hear in his other conversations.
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