Killer Instinct by S.E. Green Read Free Book Online Page B

typed:
    I KNOW EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU.
    My shaking hand transforms to a full-on wobble, and I put the picture down. I close my eyes and sit for second, trying to regain equilibrium. I inhale a deep breath and blow it out slow. My heart thumps an unusually deep rhythm, and it distracts me for a few seconds. I tune in to it and realize I’m definitely scared, but I’m also excited. Yes, thrilled, in fact, to have been contacted personally by a real-life serial killer.
    Tell anyone and I will hurt you. I believe him. Of course I believe him. Hurt me personally, hurt me by going after my family, or both? He’s certainly capable of it all.
    I’ve researched nearly every killer out there, and there’s a reason for everything they do. There’s a reason he’s contacted me. Perhaps to kill me, but my instincts say no. It’s more likely he wants my mom. He’s picked the wrong disturbed daughter if that’s his plan.
    I open my eyes, more calm now, and pick the picture back up. As far as I know, he hasn’t publicly revealed the leg yet.
    All are shrink-wrapped, which answers my previous preservation question. I bring the paper closer to my eyes and study it. Grotesque. I’m repulsed, but I’m also drawn in. Mesmerized. Curious of the facts and details just like I’d been with the Weasel.
    As I study the picture, my mind narrows to three main questions:
    Why send this to me?
    How does the killer know I’ve been researching him?
    And what does he want me to do with this?

Chapter Thirteen
    ZACH COMES UP BESIDE ME the next day as I’m spinning the combination on my locker. “Hey, you.”
    I haven’t spoken to him since the library when he asked me out. “Heard you were in a mental institution.” I always like to get right to the point.
    Zach laughs. “This is why I like you, Lane. There’s no pretense with you.”
    I grab my science folder. So he’s emotionally damaged. Join the club.
    “Yes, I spent some time in rehab,” he admits.
    “Alcohol? Drugs?”
    “Alcohol. Haven’t touched any in twelve months and seventeen days.”
    I close my locker. “What made you drink?”
    “God, I think I just fell a little harder for you.”
    I don’t know why. All I did is ask him a question.
    “Our mom died. Mike never told you?”
    “Why would Dr. Issa tell me that?”
    “I got the impression you two are close.”
    “We work together, that’s all.” I think of the kiss and what his smile does to me and wonder if he’d ask me out if I were older.
    “Anyway, when I got out of rehab, Dad gave me a choice of going back to private school or coming here, and I chose here.”
    The warning bell rings and I start off down the hall.
    Zach follows. “I cleared things up with your sister.”
    “I know.”
    “Let me guess. Drama?”
    Zach has no idea.
    “So go out with me?”
    I sidestep someone in the hall as I mull that question over. I had told myself if he asked me out again, I’d say yes. It’s the regular teenage thing to do. “Okay. Where?”
    It takes him a second to realize I just said yes. “Hockey? Sunday afternoon game?”
    I round the hall toward the GT wing. “I’ll meet you there.”
    “Great. I’ll give you the details later.”
    As I head into my class, I glance back, but he’s already gone. I don’t know why I glance back. It’s not like I expect him to be standing there staring after me.
    All day long I physically go through the routine of school, but every class I’m in I stare out the window wondering if the Decapitator’s staring back. I spend my whole day thinking about his communication. Maybe he somehow knows I’m the Masked Savior. Maybe he saw me.
    Or perhaps he’s like Reggie, has his cyberfingers in everything, and knows I’ve been researching him. Maybe he traced an IP address or something.
    More important, what does he want me to do with the knowledge that he knows me now? Does he want me to keep researching him, or maybe he wants to play some weird game of hide-and-seek? Just the