Chapter X:Total Darkness

The ending of Unbalanced Electrical Storm

Chapter X: Total Darkness

November 19, 2022

Dear Diary:

Happy birthday to me! 35, wow. I’m the only one who made it this far. Samson died five years ago, he shot himself. Sydd died a few months ago in a gun battle with the cops. It’s sad when you find out people you went to school with die too young. Everyone who bullied me is dead, the people who were my friends betrayed me. Out of the new life I’ve created for myself, I have a best friend who has my back, along with the remaining people of my family. Since my parents’ divorce, my mom has not reached out to me at all, not even for a happy birthday. Apparently her and Lizzie are the best of friends now, and Lizzie actually married Simon, can you believe that? At least my dad and remaining siblings are awesome, they threw me a party yesterday, and Francine, Samuel, and the kids showed up, and the kids had fun with balloons, I drank, smoked, and had a really great time. I was expecting Richard to show up, but he never did. I was told he was invited, I wonder what was so important that he snuffed me on my birthday. Good thing I have other people who care. And it’s a good thing I’m breaking up with him, now I have more than a valid reason. Speaking of betrayals, my ex best friends Michael and Lois married each other, no lie. And they have kids together. His fat, lazy a*s, and her crazy b***h a*s? Doesn’t sound good to me, but hey, not my problem! I freed myself from those two forever long ago! Remember my friend Jane? The sort of racist chick, who was dating Kevin, the brother of Lawrence, who used to date Francine? Well, she died too, in a house fire. What a way to go. There’s lots of people I’ve met over the years, it’s crazy how quickly some of them come in and out of your life. Tonight, I’m supposed to go to dinner with Richard and I have to break his heart. I haven’t done this since I broke up with Carl, who also wasn’t quite the right fit for me either. I hope he forgives me, I wasn’t trying to be a b***h, I just didn’t think we were all that compatible. And the fact that I’m atheist now would have caused some problems down the road anyway. It definitely caused the rift between me and my mom. I don’t care, I don’t believe in those fairy tales anymore. Now, the only thing I can look forward to is taking care of my baby, and I’m excited. But first, I have to break up with Richard, which, I’m actually looking forward to. I’ll tell you all about it when I get back. I can’t wait to update you on the progress of the baby, I’d love to look at them in the future, see how things change. I’m looking forward to the new direction my life is taking, it’s so exciting! While I may not have a man in my life, I’ll have a piece of me that I can love forever! I hope I can carry it to term with my age and health issues, which is why I haven’t told anyone yet. I can hear Richard’s truck two streets over, he’s almost here. This diary has been the only thing keeping me sane, it’s a great outlet. Thanks for being there! Love you!

Sandra finishes getting ready, putting on her favorite dress and the jewelry Richard gave her. “Is it right for me to wear these even though I’m breaking up with him? Know what? If he wants them back, he can have them.” She leaves the house and says goodbye to her father on her way out. Richard picks her up in his truck.
“Well look at you, lookin’ all purdy! What’s the occasion?” Richard asks.
“It’s my birthday. Where were you yesterday?”
“Ohh, I’m sorry baby, I was out scrappin’ with the boys.”
“I noticed you didn’t dress up for tonight’s dinner.”
“Nah, we’re just going to McJizzle’s anyway.”
“What about the restaurant I booked? I was looking forward to going there!”
“Well, I can’t afford no fancy dinners, don’t got enough money.”
“Didn’t you save any of it?”
“Nah, needed new rims fer my truck, and I got one of them truck balls. And new LED headlights, check this s**t out!” He turns on the high beams that are so bright, it blinds everyone. He pulls into the drive thru. “Yeah, can I get a two Jizzburgers meal? Whatchu want, honey?”
“I wanna go to the restaurant I booked.”
“I told you, I can’t afford that right now, what do you want, b***h?”
“I don’t care, I’m not gonna eat it anyway.”
“Order of c**k fingers meal.”
“Take me to the restaurant. I’ll pay for your meal.”
“No s**t?”
“Yeah.” Sandra says bitterly.
“Yee haw!” He does an illegal u turn out of the drive thru and back on the road. They head to the restaurant and Richard is forced to rent a jacket, pants, and tie which Sandra paid for. The waitress approaches them for their drink order. “Yeah, I’ll have a whiskey, and keep em comin’!”
“Cranberry juice.” Sandra says, dejectedly.
“This gon’ be a fun night!”
“Sure is!” Sandra fakes a smile. The waitress returns with their drinks and asks if they’re ready to order.
“Yeah, uh, um, I’mma have the surf n turf with the 3 lb lobster and 32 oz steak options, please.” Sandra looks shocked.
“I’ll have the fish patties and macaroni and cheese.” Sandra says disappointedly.
“So, you’re what? Like, 40 now?”
“I’m turning 35!” Sandra says, shocked.
“Coulda fooled me.”
“Where is this coming from?”
“Well, we’re a couple now, ain’t couples s’pose ta take jabs at each other?”
“I- I don’t think-”
“That’s a problem, yeh don’t think, cause yer a woman.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Y’all are impulsive as hell.”
“I’ve never seen this side of you before!”
“You ain’t seen me gettin’ this drunk before neither.” He orders at least five more whiskeys before dinner arrives. “Ah, thank ye.” They eat their dinner in moderate silence, with the exception of Richard’s noisy eating habits. Sandra wonders when she should tell him she wants to break up, he obviously doesn’t care about making a public spectacle of himself, and the more he drinks, the grosser he becomes. They finish eating, Sandra pays the bill, and she has to hold Richard up the whole time. They leave the restaurant, and Sandra realizes the worst: he’s too drunk to drive, and she can’t drive. She takes his phone, and calls the cholos. Within 15 minutes, they get off of a bus, and shake Richard, who has slid to the floor at this point and takes his keys. They put him in the backseat and Sandra joins in next to him. The cholos take the front. Instead of going to drop Sandra off at her house, they go instead to theirs, whom they share with Richard. Richard wakes up. “Where are we? Who’s drivin’ my truck?”
“I called them, you were passed out drunk, and I can’t drive.”
“Well, why don’t ya come in for a drink? I’m thirsty.” She follows him and the cholos into the house. Richard goes into the kitchen and returns with three beers, giving one to Sandra, and gulping one and starting the other. Sandra takes a sip in front of him, and puts it down when he’s not looking.
“Uh, maybe I should head home? I could just catch a bus, yeah?”
“Nah, don’t leave girl, it’s yer birthday, ain’t it? What’s say we go upstairs and make sweet, tender love?”
“No, it’s ok, really. You’re way drunker than me, it wouldn’t be fair to you cause I’m not...drunk...enough?”
“Then here, have some!” He hands her a full bottle of vodka.
“I really can’t, and we have to talk, and-”
“C’mon, baby, let’s do it.”
“I don’t really wanna.”
“C’mon, you’re tellin’ me you don’t wanna get fucked on your birthday? Hell, I wish every day was MY birthday!” He laughs, and the cholos, also drinking, are laughing along with him.
“Look, you guys are hammered, so I’m just gonna go-”
“NO!” Richard yells deeply and angrily. He approaches Sandra and grabs her by the arm. She struggles against him, but he manages to drag her upstairs.
“I wanna split up!” He stops, looks at her, and then he forces her against the wall.
“If you say so, now. Strip.” She pulls off her dress. “All the way.” She gets completely naked. He slaps her and pushes her onto the bed, ties her up, unbuckles his pants and lets himself inside of her. She starts to scream, but he tapes over her mouth. “Hey boys, come in and join the fun! The two cholos run upstairs, stripping, and the three of them take turns with her holes, usually with a knife to her throat, and choking her with their belts. Richard takes another turn, and he grabs a hammer from a nearby toolbox and strikes her in the head, takes his gun and he points it at her head while he’s raping her, and fires. “Hey boys, look, I’m f****n’ a corpse!” They all laugh, and take turns urinating on her. Richard gets dressed, and shoots a couple of more holes in her. “That’s why you don’t meet people on the internet, dumbass. Alright, boys, the cops’ll be here soon, we gotta go, where’s a state we haven’t been yet? Florida looks good, grab your s**t and let’s haul a*s!” They grab what little they have, and leave. Sandra’s body is discovered an hour later, when the police finally arrive. The uniform calls in Luxor Alpha, lead Homicide detective, captain of the division.
“Sandra Zircon, we meet again, for the last time.” Luxor Alpha says. Sandra was given a traditional burial. And so ends the saga of Sandra Zircon. “Get these tested please.” He hands swabs in jars to his assistant. One in the head, one, two, three shots in the abdomen, appear to be magnum type shells. Cut marks on her neck, along with a mark which suggests she was also strangled. This woman was brutalized. See the two holes in her head, aside from the gunshot? I bet you’ll find...” He stands up, looks around, and, “...aha!” He bags a bloody hammer. “What kind of monster would do such a thing? Her arms tied behind her back, mouth taped shut, she was completely helpless and defenseless. “Get her out of here, I’m done here.” He lights up a cigarette and rubs his forehead. Oswald Middleton, his partner, enters the room.
“So, this apartment is rented by one Richard Santos. Doesn’t show up anywhere, clean record.”
“Then it’s an alias.”
“Most likely. Hopefully DNA and fingerprints on that hammer will tell us more. Are you ready to go?”
“Yeah, let’s go.” He puts his cigarette out into a nearby ashtray. They leave the crime scene and head to the station, where Luxor learns that the perpetrator is in the system. “So, let’s see here... Richard Santos, aka Donald Ramirez, aka... You know what? There's eleven more names on here, I’m not gonna read them all out loud. Says here, he’s wanted in 12, now 13 states for rape and murder. According to her phone, they were boyfriend and girlfriend, something must have happened for him to kill her like that, maybe not, but we’ll find out. I want all units to stop his truck, license plate JFW-3463 Texas probably headed for Florida. That’s the last known vehicle. I suspect Florida because it’s the only part of this country he can still navigate without having the law after him, and considering Florida is at the bottom, he’ll be the farthest away before any surrounding states have no jurisdiction for taking him in, meaning this is the last state that can apprehend him on previous charges.” Two hours later, the officers return. “Well, where is he?”
“His truck was spotted crossing the border...” One of the officers replies.
‘Goddammit!” Luxor knocks a bunch of stuff off a desk. “I’ll be in my office.” He goes up the stairs, enters his office, and slams the door. Oswald follows him in.
“Sir? If I may?”
“Go ahead, Lieutenant.”
“You should really take some time off.”
“I’m fine.”
“I’ve worked with you for years, sir. This is the worst I’ve ever seen you. With all due respect, I can handle things around here while you take some time off.”
“No, I’m not letting this one go. This woman has been through a lot in her life. She was an educator, I doubt she knew who she was with. To watch three boyfriends die before you, and then to be slaughtered in a most barbaric way. I can’t just let this go.”
“Since we have an idea of where he’s going, why not alert the feds?”
“Great idea, that way we won’t get in trouble for illegally apprehending him, which was my first thought. Maybe you’re right, Oswald. Maybe I do need some time off, but not until we nail this son of a b***h.”
“Why do you wanna take this guy down so bad?”
“Because innocent women are always missing or murdered in this city, one and a half times more than men. I’ve investigated every case she was a part of, she deserves justice.”
“Does this have anything to do with your missing girlfriends?”
“Perhaps, I can’t wait to catch that piece of scum.”
“I get it, just, make sure you take that time off.”
“I will.” Luxor calls the feds and alerts them to Richard’s last known location and his possible destination.” The next day, Luxor comes in and relieves the overnight lieutenant. “Any messages?”
“Yes, from the FBI, they say they have your suspect in custody at the Georgia State Police station, and they’re interrogating him.” the officer tells him.
“Excellent.” Luxor calls the state police and asks for an escort. “Oswald, hold down the fort while I go with a Statie to Georgia.”
“Jeez, I just walked in the door! Alright, if it’ll get you some closure, go.” Luxor waits outside for the State police car to show up, and he gets inside.
“Tom O’Rielly.”
“Luxor Alpha.”
“Hell of a name.”
“My father was a famous musician, he wanted odd names for almost all of his children, my older brother was named after him.”
“So, this is gonna be like, a four hour drive. So, we’ll have to refuel more than just the car.”
“It’s fine, we can get something to eat eventually, I can’t wait to find out why he would do such a heinous act to such a sweet woman.”
“You knew the victim?”
“Not on an official basis, I just happened to catch all of her cases. She was the girlfriend of three men that died.”
“And she didn’t kill them?”
“I suspected at first, but once I learned empathy, I realized she was telling the truth.”
“Learned empathy?”
“It’s a long story.”
“It’s a long drive.” They eventually reach the station where Richard is being held. Luxor and Thomas check in, and ask to see the prisoner, and are told they can talk to him as soon as the current state is finished interrogating him. Another forty five minutes, and the current officers leave the interrogation room, and Luxor and Thomas are cleared to enter.
“Oh, great, what state you from?” Richard asks.
“The one you just left. I’m here to ask you why you killed Sandra Zircon.”
“Oh, that fat pig? Hoo wee, was she stupid! All I had to do was act like a perfect gentleman, and she was like butter in my arms. There were times, I’d be a dick, and she called me on it, but you know what the funniest thing was? She thought she was in a real relationship! She was ‘lookin’ for love’ or whatever. She told me all about her tragic past, and how she was grateful I was different than other jerks. It was worth a few months of dry balls to get her in the sack with me, that’s when I figured I had an all access pass to some booty. Course, I was f****n’ other b*****s, so it’s not like I was holding out for her. It just wasn’t as enough as I’d hoped.”
“Why did you kill her? Don’t you feel remorse?”
“Remorse? For huntin’?”
“Hunting?”
“It’s a game I play. Some girl bites my internet profile, we get together, I have sex with her, and once I have no use for them, just, get rid of them, throw em away, they’re all used up after I’m done with them.”
“Why did you kill Sandra Zircon.”
“I asked her to give it up, and she said no. And ho boy was I drunk! And I’m a mean drunk on top of it. She hit that kill switch, literally. The second she said she was leavin’, I knew she wasn’t goin’ nowhere else that night. She got what she deserved.”
“She did not deserve that!”
“You ever kill a man, officer? You know that adrenaline rush ya get, right after? Ever had sex? Combine the two, and a half a bottle of whiskey and a couple of beers, the world doesn’t exist no more, it’s a high that only a psychopath could describe to you.”
“You wouldn’t be the first that I’ve talked to.”
“Then ya know.”
“So, your motive was that she wouldn’t have sex with you, and you were drunk?”
“Officer, I don’t need no motive, I just had an excuse. I usually do it for fun.” He smiles a demonic looking smile, and laughs.