Prelude

Before I begin, I must make one thing clear: I am not crazy. I am fully aware of what a cliché that statement is, but it’s true. Sure, I may have briefly slipped through the cracks a few times, but I am basically sane.

            Please wait to pass judgment until you’ve heard me out. Just a year ago, I was living a life many would call “normal”. I was just a normal kid, going to a normal school, living a normal life. Now, sitting in the cold, hard cell that has become my home, I’m not sure I know the meaning of the word. Maybe I never did.

            After all, it’s hard to be normal when you’re a monster.

            Yes, that’s what they call me: monster.

            Am I deserving of such a title? Mother certainly thinks so, and, as they say, Mother knows best. I can’t disagree with her; any decent person would go his or her entire life without doing half of what I’ve already done in mine. But then, most people are very different from me, aren’t they? My hands are forever painted red.

            For the second time this year, I’ve found myself splattered in the blood of someone I’d known my entire life. Twice now I’ve lost myself and gone too far. Twice now, I’ve watched as the life left the bodies of those I’ve hurt. This time, however, I’ve received no condolences. There is, after all, a great deal of difference between a heart attack and a homicide.

            But I’m getting ahead of myself. To understand any of this, one would have to start at the beginning. And so, that’s where I’ll start.

Author's Note

Any comments/suggestions are greatly appreciated.

Reviews

[barleygirl]

S**T! Are you just going to leave us hanging here?!?!? I'm about to spit! You've definitely piqued our interest & freaked us out! Thinking about what this could mean . . . hmmmm . . . well, I guess we'll just have to wait & see . . . gotta love suspense with the spooky day just a little ways away! *yippee!* OK, here's one thing, tho. This could use a little more of the gory sensations . . . let me see, hear, feel, smell, & taste some really yukky stuff, OK? Gotta pump up the sensory when doing these . . . just a few nasty asides here & there is all it would take. For example, when your mother is speaking, perhaps her teeth all fall out & bloody voids remain as she smiles her wicked message: "heh! heh! heh! Mother knows best!" (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Jacob Clifford]

I like the way you think, friend! Let's get it all gored up for Halloween! Thanks as always for reading and leaving your thoughts. The big day is just around the corner. . .

[Hannah]

Whatever this is a prologue to, this is a very strong start. The vague details fill my head with so many different scenarios. I just have to know the story behind this.

[Jacob Clifford]

Thank you very much, Hannah.

[Zoya]

Wicked! It's not easy to leave an impact on the reader using such few words. I got to say thought, your pieces do get me hooked right fron the very first line. This was amazing. I'd love to see how it proceeds.

[Jacob Clifford]

Thank you, Zoe! I appreciate your kindness.

[Zoya]

No worries!

[Wendy Seames Garner]

Interesting, a story written from the murderer's point of view. But I am not sure I could read the whole story. You see my daughter was murdered, by strangulation, so this too close for comfort.

[Jacob Clifford]

I'm so sorry, Wendy. I can understand you have trepidation about the story. Thanks for reading, and best wishes.

[Wendy Seames Garner]

It is good writing, just not for me. Thanks!

[.]

Woah!

This is a fantastic prelude! The perfectly tantalising beginning for a longer story.

A picked up a vision of Norman Bates when i read through this....that 'Mother knows best' line, perhaps.

This is well written and exudes a mood of truth and menace. I look forward to reading any additions to this one.

Excellent work!

[Jacob Clifford]

Thank you very much, Doodley. I see what you mean about the Norman Bates thing. I've never seen any of the movies/series he's in but I know a bit about his predicament. Thank you very much for reading and leaving your thoughts.