Page 13 of Leo, My Partner

A sigh leaves my lips, but I can’t complain. I like Beth, and her opinions are always welcome. “Maybe. I’ll let you know.”

I hang up and head home, sad I can’t see the space tonight. I’m not sure why I’m so eager. Roger has sent me plenty of options—some within my budget and some not—that look miles better than this place on Fairmont. But for some reason, this space is calling to me. It’s strange, but from my superstitious family, I’ve learned to listen to signs.

Tomorrow will be fine. I can wait until then.

Turns out, I can’t wait until tomorrow. I toss and turn in my bed, wondering why there’s this nudge urging me to get up and go see that property now!

Whatever it is, I listen. But I won’t be foolish.

After I get dressed, I shoot off a quick message to Leo, to see what he’s up to. It’s 11:27, so he’s probably asleep, but it’s worth a try. Sam will just talk me out of going this late, so I don’t even consider texting him.

Unfortunately, I don’t hear back from Leo. Still, that doesn’t stop me from sliding on my shoes and pulling on a jacket once I have my keys in hand. I grab the knife my father gave me before I moved away, sliding it into the pocket of the leather jacket I threw on.

The drive is longer than I’d like, but I still don’t turn back. If anything, the longer I’m driving, the more the anticipation of discovering builds. Discovering what? No fucking clue.

I can’t pinpoint or name the feeling telling me to go to this rundown space, but I know I would be foolish not to listen to it. Something is there that’s meant for me to see, and I’m not going to miss it just because it’s late.

I’m way down the road on Fairmont, farther than I’ve ever driven. Even though there are businesses lining the streets when I turned onto Fairmont, the farther I drive, the sparser the buildings become and the more rundown they appear. I check my GPS, making sure I’m following the directions. To be extra sure I’m on the right track, I look out of the window, checking the building numbers. I’m looking for is 459 and I’m only at 437. I still have a ways to go.

Finally, I pull up to my destination, checking the storefront out, loving the old feel of it. It looks like a building that’s pulled out of the 1950s and placed in the middle of the twenty-first century. I can’t see through the boarded-up windows, but the outside has an old diner look to it.

There aren’t many buildings nearby, and none of them appear to be operational. It doesn’t bode well for a successful business, that’s for sure. I should just turn around and go home, cutting my losses. But something is telling me not to leave.

I get out of my car, make my way to the front of the building, and try the code Roger gave me on the keypad. It doesn’t open. I try it a few more times and nothing.

Growling in frustration, I pull my knife out and walk around the building, hoping there’s a back entrance I can slide through. I’m sure Roger won’t have an issue with me going through this way.

When I round the corner, I find there is a door at the rear of the building that’s beside a large blue dumpster. With giddy excitement, I stride to the door, hoping it’s unlocked.

A triumphant eek! leaves my lips when the door opens. I clap my hand over my mouth, looking around to make sure no one is following me. Then I wonder if someone lives in here. It’s vacant, so there could be a squatter.

My skin tingles with awareness, my brain finally telling me to pause for a moment. Pulling out my phone, I check to see if there’s a text from Leo. Nothing. He’s probably asleep, and I’m here, in a bad part of town on my own.

Should I leave? I try to convince my legs to go back to my car, but they don’t move. I’m rooted to the spot, indecision warring. I desperately want to see the space, but I don’t want to be reckless. Well, more reckless than coming to a known bad part of town because of a feeling.

Flicking the knife open, I turn on the flashlight on my phone and pan it around the space I can see. There’s a long hallway with three doors on the left and two on the right. They’re all shut up tight as far as I can see, so at least I don’t have to worry about anyone creepy jumping out at me when I walk past a doorway.

Looking back at the alley, I drag in a deep breath and step inside.

CHAPTER 5

LEO

My favorite scent is blood. My favorite sound? The screams of my victims. The warm, coppery aroma burrows into my sinuses as it drips onto the chipped linoleum floor of the abandoned building. The sound of my marks screams is like adrenaline through my veins, pumping furiously and making my limbs tingle.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, but I ignore it. I can’t be bothered with anyone right now. I’m in my true element.

A grin spreads across my face as I stare down at the man that’s tied to the chair in front of me.

My victim’s mouth is cranked open wide as I yank on one of his molars. I’m none too gentle as I rock the pliers back and forth to pull the tooth from the root. I tried with a few others but broke the crowns off before the tooth would come free. I’m determined to get the root with this one.

My free hand grasps under my victim’s chin, holding him still so I can get my prize. Pulling teeth that don’t want to be pulled is hard work.

“Yes!” I exclaim when the tooth comes free, the root intact. I hold it up, turning it in the meager light. Three perfect roots, whole and bloodied with chunks of gum tissue surrounding it. If I kept trophies, I’d take this one in a heartbeat.

But my work necessitates me being as discreet as possible, even if I cut off body parts and appendages as I work.

Head lolling, my victim, Ralph, cries softly, wrenching at his binds to try to bring his hands to his sore and bleeding mouth. That won’t do him any good. My grandfather taught me how to tie those knots. No one can get out of them once they’re in. His eye are nearly swollen shut, but they bulge wide in pain and fear. He’s an unassuming man; neither big nor small. Average-sized, if a little doughy around the middle.

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