Its in the Blood

this is a chapter for this book

                Chapter 2

After the bus took the students back to the school, they only stayed an hour longer. Being a Friday, Mrs. Glockner wanted to go over next weeks schedule so they would be prepared for what she'd be teaching them.

But Shelly Rose wasn't paying attention to what her teacher was saying. All she had on her mind was how similar her fingerprints were to the dead guys. This was very puzzling to her, and she vowed to find out what was up.

As the class was leaving, her friend Susie walked up asking '' You like being here this much that you're not going to leave?''

Shelly Rose came out of her stupor and looked up at Susie, she then stammered ''huh, what'd you say?''

'' oh come on Shelly, its time to go home or do you want to stay here all weekend?'' Susie said exasperated.

Shelly Rose stood up, picked up her backpack and they left. Most of the other students were standing and waiting for one of their parents to come pick them up. Again Susie noticed a far away look in Shelly's eyes.

She bumped her best friend and implored '' What's bugging you Shelly? You got that look again, like something is on your mind. You know you can tell me, I can keep a secret!''

'' oh its nothing really, I'm just curious about what that cop said. Do you think..... it's so crazy that my fingerprints are like that dead criminal. Makes me wonder what kind of crimes he committed. Even more curious is when and how did he die?'' Shelly said in a peculiar way.

'' Here's my mom, I wouldn't worry to much, probably just an error with the P,D.'s files. Just like they thought you were killing those animals. Sure you can kill bugs, anyone can and would...... but not cute kitties. Come over later and see mine if you can. See ya, Shelly'' Susie said as she climbed into her mom's car.

She waved goodbye and left her standing in front of the school. As Shelly waited for her own mom, she waved and replied '' okay Susie!''

Shelly Rose stood staring off into the horizon, thinking about whether to risk being around any cats. Her mom drove up and honked getting Shelly Rose's attention. After she had climbed into the car she put her seatbelt on, then locked the door. She was quietly sitting in the seat opposite of her mom.

Janice glanced over at her as she drove down the street. Finally she casually asked her daughter '' How was the field trip, did you have fun?''

Shelly Rose came out of her daze, and replied ''oh yeah mom, but we didn't get to see everything.''

''Ah that's a shame, Maybe that nice detective that came over can take you back and show you around. I'll talk to your father about it; would you like that Shelly? By the way do you have any homework to do over the weekend?'' Janice spoke while pulling into their driveway.

Shelly Rose had once again zoned out for a moment thinking about what her mother said.

Her mother turned around and sternly asked '' Did you hear me young lady? I asked if Mrs. Glockner assigned any homework? Besides we are home so you can get out of the car now.''

''Oh I hadn't noticed..... and no mom, at least I don't remember. I'll call Susie later to find out for sure'' Shelly Rose replied as she came out of her stupor. She then climbed out of the car, taking her backpack with her.

'' I swear your mind sure seems to wander off easily lately. I think you have a form of ADD, or becoming a teenager has scrambled your brains up'' her mom stated while moving her hands around her head.

Shelly looked up as her mom was doing that, and replied '' funny mom, I don't have ADD! Nor do I have scrambled brains; otherwise I wouldn't be a straight A student, now would I!''

'' Hmmmmm, maybe your hormones just haven't kicked in yet. I remember when I was your age my emotions went crazy. And this one boy.......'' her mom's voice trailed off as she walked into their house.

'' think I'll go for a walk...... I feel a story coming on about the good old days'' she said while walking to her room to put her backpack away.

''alright, just be back before dinnertime, young lady'' her mom said as she heard the front door close.

Janice went into the kitchen to make herself a cup of tea. She shook her head thinking 'was I like this with my mother?' When her tea was done, she took the cup to the living room to further engross herself into the latest novel she was reading. She had a few hours to kill before she needed to prepare their dinner.

Shelly took off randomly walking down the street. Soon she found herself in the woody area where she had done most of her killing. As she stepped toward a tree, she leaned up against it. Shelly Rose stood and silently thought about this newly found information. As she held up her hands, she began to wonder how it was possible to have someone else's...... let alone a mans fingerprints. Just then she heard a rustling in the bushes, forgetting all about the prints. Something kicked in her head, and she soon focused her sights on her next prey!

Carrying her knife, to insure she was always prepared in case another helpless victim crossed her path. Shelly Rose had become well adept at catching cats, rabbits, along with various other furry creatures. Yet some were quicker at running away from her.

She looked around, and saw a nice berry bush to began to gather some of the ripe red berries. Then she decided to look for various types of nuts to gather for her trap. Glancing around she noticed an old rope left behind by some campers or homeless people.

After picking it up Shelly Rose expressed out loud 'This will serve well for setting up my trap.''

She set about placing the nuts and berries inside the rope trap, waiting for her prey to come around. Shelly had never tried catching animals this way, but she'd bide her time hoping it would work. Somehow inside her she instinctively knew that it would. It wasn't long before the rustling came again, and she had a fat rabbit caught in her trap!

Shelly Rose smirked while grabbing the rabbit by the ears. Then as she looked into the big brown eyes said quietly '' hello there Mr. Rabbit!''

The rabbit wriggled as she held him trying his best to get away. Then with a devilish grin coming over her face, Shelly Rose sadistically said '' don't worry this wont hurt a bit Mr. Rabbit!''

Shelly proceeded to take her knife out, and with one quick move she sliced the rabbits neck letting it bleed out. Then she laid it down and set about skinning the poor animal while it still had life in it. It amazed her at how skillful she was at her age. It was almost like a surgeon, performing an operation on a person.

Suddenly she stopped cutting, then for a brief moment thought 'someday when I'm older.'

Shelly finished skillfully taking the skin off the animal, then before disposing of the skin cut one of the front paws off. Wanting to make a good luck charm out of it, for good measure.

'' You never know when you'll need some luck on your side!'' she said while laughing.

Then Shelly Rose began dissecting the rest of the body, and throwing the parts as far as she could. Hoping that some other animals would be hungry enough to eat them. Hunting season hadn't started yet, so she had to be extra cautious.

When she was done, she took the rope and hid it. Knowing she'd come back to this spot next time she got the urge to kill. Why she did it was still a mystery, but the thrill sent tingles throughout her body.

Glancing down at her watch, she noticed it was time to head back home. Time to revert back into a sweet darling child for her parents. No need for them to be concerned with her alternate life just yet. Shelly Rose would keep it hidden for as long as she could too.

Over the weekend, she'd scour the Internet finding out any information she could for the cause of her anomaly. ' There has to be a reason, but would knowing it change anything' she wondered.

As Shelly Rose strolled home she said out loud '' Would it help me or hurt me...... more importantly will I stop this random killing? Or would I continue, only to escalate onto bigger and harder prey?'' She was silent the rest of they way to her parents home.

When she arrived home she walked in and went straight to the bathroom. Needing to get cleaned up, wash off her knife and take a shower. This was before her mother noticed any residual blood from the rabbit. After she was done, Shelly Rose went to her room to put on some clean clothes, then into the kitchen to help her mom with dinner.

She set the table, then asked her mom if there was anything else to help with.

'' No Shelly Rose everything is ready. I'm just waiting for your father to come home. Which should be any minute now'' she said after glancing up at the mantle clock.

Janice set her book down, got up, went into the kitchen to turn the oven on and warm up the lasagna she'd prepared earlier. Then got out the salad from the refrigerator,

along with the dressings. John liked Italian, so Janice always stocked up on that kind.

Shelly Rose had gone to her room to call Susie before it got any later.

She asked her '' Hey Susie, did Mrs. Glockner give us any homework? You know me I tune out her endless droning. Besides that fingerprint thing had my brain spinning. I still can't believe mine are like a dead criminal! It's just mind boggling to me, how about you?''

Susie replied '' Oh I don't think you should worry about it any. My dad assured me that everyone's fingerprints are unique, and no two are alike! So put it out of your mind alright Shell's!''

''Okay....... that is if I can'' Shelly Rose replied while looking at her free hand.

''Well Shell's gotta go, moms yelling that it's dinnertime.''

'' Alright Susie, but stop calling me Shell's, it sounds stupid'' Shelly Rose said smartly.

Okay, okay Shelly Rose, you're a bit touchy today'' Susie replied back.

''Yeah, sorry Susie...... talk to you later'' Shelly said.

After Susie hung up, Shelly Rose threw her cell down on the bed. Then walked to her computer to search the Internet about fingerprints. It wasn't that she didn't believe her best friend, Shelly Rose wanted to find out for herself. Still she couldn't figure out why she had the desire to kill. More importantly the reason it gave her the thrill it did.

No sooner had she found the first link, that her mom called her saying that dinners ready. So Shelly Rose saved the link, then shut off the monitor. Then got up left her bedroom, and walked into the dining room. Her mom had everything on the table, so Shelly Rose sat down.

Janice walked down the hall, saying '' John dinners ready!''

She heard '' coming dear'', so she went back to the dining room and sat down to wait. It wasn't long till John joined the two, and they began to eat.

In the middle of the meal, John turned and asked Shelly Rose '' So how was the field trip? Did you have an enjoyable time; and had you learned something new?''

Shelly Rose had been trying to put what she found out into the back of her mind.

She looked at her dad, and quietly replied ''yeah I guess it was alright, we didn't get to stay very long.''

''Why was that?'' John inquired in between bites.

'' Oh one of the kids made fun of cops eating donuts, so naturally Mrs. Glockner cut the trip short'' she comically retorted back.

'' You didn't tell me that part Shelly Rose, the policemen got mad I bet'' Janice said between bites of her salad.

Shelly Rose laughed while remembering, then said ''actually they all bust out laughing! I'm guessing they knew who it was about.''

Her dad replied back '' Well young lady, I hope you weren't disrespectful while you were there. It's always a good idea to stay on the right side of the law!''

''Yes daddy'' Shelly Rose respectfully replied.

Janice gave her husband that look she always had since they were first married. He knew from the way she glanced over at him that he needed to change the subject or be quiet and eat! He figured it would be best to stay silent and eat. Shelly Rose sat picking at her food, thinking to herself ' boy this is awkward.'

She first looked at her mom, then over at her dad while they both finished their meals quietly. Shrugging her shoulders, she went back to finishing her own.

Her dad was the first to finish, so he pushed his plate forward then got up from the table. He picked up his beer and went to the living room. Where he proceeded to read the evening paper, and try to forget about the look his wife gave him.

Shelly Rose watched her dad leave, then looked at her mom, asking ''Are you two fighting?''

'' Don't worry about it Shelly Rose. If your done eating will you do the dishes please?'' Janice asked.

Shelly Rose replied ''Sure mom, I don't have any homework to do. But you're sure things are cool with Dad and you?''

Janice answered '' It's not anything you have to worry about. Now I'm going to get another glass of wine, and go finish reading this book I have; its due back at the library soon.''

Shelly Rose stood up and started clearing the table. As her mom got more wine, then walked into the living room. Shelly Rose began thinking about her mom and dad and wondered 'why did mom give that strange look towards her dad? Had he said something he shouldn't have?'

All of this was very puzzling to her, along with the deal about her fingerprints being like some criminals. She hurriedly finished the dishes, dried her hands then draped the towel across the sink. Shelly Rose left the kitchen, and went to her bedroom to finish her Internet searching.

She found a site and began reading the information they had posted. It stated clearly what Suzie told her. So she decided to expand her searching to fingerprint anomalies. She found very few of these so she closed the browser and shut off her computer.

Frustrated she decided to put it out of her mind, and get ready for bed. Shelly Rose settled into her bed, and soon began to fall asleep. She dreamed of being arrested, having her fingerprints taken, and a photograph processed while holding a card with an state issued number. At first all of this was like a hazy dream, then as it became clearer it wasn't her face she saw but a scraggly haired man with a scar under his left eye. She woke with a start, sitting up in her bed wondering who this man was. The police sergeant hadn't shown who the criminal was...... nor had she bothered asking who it was.

She laid back down, then turned on her side trying her best to forget what she had just dreamed. But all she could see was the image of that man with the scar, laying and wondering who it could be. Soon she began to doze off and fall asleep again.