Beauty is Skin Deep

Reign looked up from her Anatomy 101 book to see the incarnation of Adonis. The flowing shoulder-length blond hair and chiseled jaw formed into a bright smile of pearly white teeth. Sparkling blues eyes pierced her soul as he made eye contact. Have I died and gone to heaven? Is he an angel?

Heat spread across her cheeks as she struggled to move her lips and loosen her tongue. "Ah, ah, ah, so sorry! I didn't see you standing at the counter."

The man never broke eye contact but kept Reign locked in his gaze as if enthralled by his beauty. "I am in no rush."

He momentarily glanced at her nametag on her heaving chest. "Reign. I like it. A unique and interesting name."

After an awkward moment of silence, Reign sighed. "Can I get you something? With Halloween coming up, we have the traditional Pumpkin Spice drinks. Oh, and a new drink — the Bloody Cappuccino. The Bloody Cappuccino has cinnamon sprinkles on top instead of cocoa. Right now, it is our most popular drink."

The man chuckled, "The Bloody Cappachino sounds good."

She noted his unfamiliar accent. "If you don't mind me asking, where are you from? I grew up a country girl in Mama and Daddy's vineyard in the Blue Ridge mountains near Roanoke. So when I meet someone with a different accent, it piques my interest."

The man handed her a ten-dollar bill. "I am Steffen Draugr from Sweden here as an exchange student at EVMS." A devious smile formed as he added, "to study hematology and blood disorders."

Reign noted the change in his expression but ignored it. "Wow, what a coincidence — both interested in medicine. I am a Nursing major at ODU. I live off campus. Haven't had much time to make friends."

Steffen's eyes lit up. "We are both transients." She nodded and smiled, then waved her hand around the store, "You can sit down anywhere you like; I will bring you your Cappuccino."

Reign frothed the milk and then pulled the shots. Repeatedly, She glanced over to notice the man watching her. She sheepishly smiled at him from behind the espresso machine. He nodded and returned the smile.

Steffen seems nice.

In between serving customers, wiping down the bar, and sweeping the floors, Reign took every opportunity to talk with Steffen.

She looked at her Apple watch, "My, I have lost track of time. My shift is about over."

Leaning on the broom, Reign paused. "It was nice meeting you. I hope to see you here again soon."

Steffen nodded, "Most assuredly, you will." See me sooner than you think.

Reign finished her shift and then clocked out. On her way out the door, she looked over at Steffen and waved, "Don't be a stranger."

Standing under the building's shadows, I looked up at the castiron fire escape, ten stories to the top floor and beyond into the endless dusky sky.

Rust had formed around the rivets holding the fire escape together.

A marvel of one of man's outstanding achievements, I studied the intricate design with its character and personality.

Constructed in 1907 — Botetourt Apartments reminded me of her — a sad memory from a bygone era.

The architecture revived memories of my one true love. Her radiance, I recalled with detailed memory, Her thick brown hair in which the light danced when she moved in her gracious manner. Deep brown eyes filled with love, compassion, and kindness. Soft hands tender in my calloused touch, and her scent — the baths of Cleopatra could not compare to her sweet fragrance.

We were to wed; then a monster whisked her from me with bloodlust? He escaped my wrath. I will spend my existence hunting his kind.

I have played this cat-and-mouse game for far too long. If I might but save one innocent from his hands. It is worth it.

He had been here less than an hour earlier. Steffen's trail led across the cobbled street to the hipster cafe bar. Did he buy a high-priced coffee and charm an attractive young lady?

His victims were female, in their twenties, usually brunettes with brown or hazel eyes. He targeted college students away from home and isolated from family and friends.

Carmela— my betrothed — was the apple of my eye. She would have turned twenty-four when the beast kidnapped and bled the life out of her. Her absence seems like lifetimes ago. Yet the pain and emotions were as fresh as the day I found her lifeless body.

For many years, I have tracked this kind of monster. This time is the closest I have been to this particular beast. Thinking about his next victim left me raw.

I crossed the street and entered the cafe. A few straggling customers, notably a young couple giggling over in the corner, all paused and looked my way when I entered the store. A heavily tattooed young man, with hair more colors than a tropical bird and multiple piercings, stopped cleaning the espresso machine and looked up at me. "Sir, we are about to close, I have broken down the espresso machine for cleaning, but can I get you a nitro or cold brew?"

"I will take a nitro." After paying for my drink, I took a sip. "Not bad. I am looking for someone. Was a tall, good-looking man with a European accent in here recently?"

The Barista — Tad — looked up to think. "I remember a tall guy with blond hair and the bluest blue eyes. The guy could easily cosplay Thor. Why is he in trouble?"

"No. No. We are old acquaintances. I wanted to surprise him."

The young man leaned in toward me and spoke softly. "Well, Reign — one of our baristas — seemed interested in the guy. He flirted with her. Reign is a beautiful and sweet girl but naive. The funny thing is when she left, the guy left not even a minute or two after her. He left a full drink untouched."

"Huh, Maybe they hooked up for a party. Do you know how I can find Reign and my friend?"

The young man turned his head and pointed. "She lives in a condo down the street several blocks. Not sure of the exact address, but it is the third door as you turn left. Follow this street south. It dead-ends into the new condominiums where she lives."

I placed a twenty in the tip jar. "Thank you for the information."

I should still have time. Steffen Draugr methodically takes his time. He subdues, rapes, and taunts his victim before feeding his deadly passions.

"Reign!" Reign stopped in front of her condo and turned to see Steffen. "Steffen, what are you doing here?"

As he walked up to her, he nodded down the street. "I am staying at friends a couple of streets over until I find a place of my own.

Steffen smiled, "I wanted to ask you out to eat earlier. But didn't have the courage. Would you like to join me for dinner? I know a quiet little place within walking distance from here."

I don't have many friends here. He seems harmless enough and sweet. I don't usually go out alone with strangers. But you have to live a little. "Let me go freshen up."

"Could I please use your bathroom real quick? All the coffee I consumed is going through me."

Reign stepped inside and turned on the lights. Steffen came in behind her and blocked her exit. "Where is your bathroom?"

She pointed down the hallway. "The second door on your right." She felt a prick in her neck and immediately became woozy. "What did you do…."

Starting in Manhattan, I tracked Steffen Draugr's trail by following the string of bodies. He worked his way down the Eastern shore to South East Virginia. He always seemed to stay one step ahead of me.

His trail would end here tonight.

Briskly I walked the canopy-covered street. If not for my mission, I could have enjoyed this area. I felt at home in this historic district with the cobbled stone streets and houses some two hundred years old.

Following the barista's directions, I walked to the home I assumed was Reign's and leaned next to the door. A woman's muffled pleading came from inside. If Steffen kept to his script, he gagged and tied her naked body in a spread eagle on her bed. He would take his sweet time before bleeding her out as she died slowly.

I tried the door handle. Steffen left the door unlocked. Steffen, you have become too careless.

I followed the muffled sounds to the bedroom.

Before he knew what hit him, I had Steffen pinned against a wall draining his succulent lifeblood from his jugular vein. He collapsed on the floor, completely exsanguinated.

Gloating, I licked the last drop off my mouth.

I released Reign and handed her a house coat.

Wide-eyed, in shock, and fearful, she wrapped herself in the coat and cowered away from me. "Mister, are you going to drink my blood too? She glanced over at Steffen's corpse. "Like him?

I stepped back to give her space. "You are safe. I only drain serial killers and blood bags."

Reign sat at her kitchen table in shock as the gravity of what might have happened weighed on her.

I prepared her a cup of herbal tea and waited until she began to recover.

"Daughter, some refer to me as the monster. But you are perfectly safe with me."

She nodded, still wide-eyed. I could sense the residual fear in her heartbeat and her scent.

Reign, remember this: beauty is skin deep. Evil is to the bone. Be weary until they prove themselves worthy.

I lulled her to sleep and then placed her in bed.

Throwing Steffen's body over my shoulder, I walked out of her home. After dumping his corpse in the Elizabeth river, tears of blood and water flowed down my cheeks. Reign reminded me of my sweet Carmela.

On to Florida, the papers have reported a string of missing girls in Daytona Beach.

© Don Feazelle 2022