My classroom was heavy and sticky with heat. It was going to be another warm day just like it had for the past four days. The morning would be cool but quickly, the sky would open up and the sun would cast down its heated rays, warming the pavement and buildings.

After arriving, slightly later to my classroom than usual, I opened the windows and clicked on a spinning fan. Its irritable sound was forgotten, after it sent out a wave of coolness onto my face. I filed my papers together and started to write out english theories on the board.

I became content with the day. Everything was slowly getting back to normal, as students and teachers stopped bringing up my late night interrogation from a couple of nights ago. I avoided thinking about Emilia but I was planning on taking the time this weekend to visit.

One by one students piled in grumbling about the heat and other things. It was the time of the school year where homework assignments would pile up and tests and quizzes would automatically become the norm.

A few late assignments floated to my desk and after finishing writing on the board, I turned to hear the bell ring.

“Good morning class,” I said, giving them a smile. They respondes respectfully and a few pulled out books to take notes. As my lesson began I paced the front of the room slowly. Making eye contact with a couple of students and nodding to others.

The clock behind my ticked away and after an hour of lecturing I asked my students to pull out their computers and books and begin their assignment. As I was just about to head to my desk a hand went up.

“Yes Daniel?” I asked, recalling his name and image from the multiple faces I had to memorize.

“Uh, since we have a little more time than usual, could we, uh, ask some questions about your connection with all those murder cases?” He stuttered nervously.

In an instant every student had their eyes on me and their curiosity pushed me to accept this confrontation. I had no reason to refuse and it would be interesting to see where my own students stood in this grand mystery.

“What is it you would like to know?” I asked. Instantly, a multitude of hands throughout my classroom rose and tension was suddenly present.

I nodded toward a student and they slowly lowered their hand and began by saying, “Why are you a suspect in these cases?”

“The police have found that I am the last person many victims see. That, unfortunately, puts me as a suspect.” I answered stuffing my hands into my pockets.

Another student began after receiving silent permission from me. “ What was it like being interrogated?”

“It was alright,” I shrugged, “They simply went through a series of questions and tried to find a link between me and the cases. Though, as always, they never find anything.”

A girl with a tight blonde ponytail took down her hand and cut in with her question, “If the police can’t find a connection between you and the victims, besides you knowing them, why are they so sure you actually committed the crimes? I guess what I mean to say is, what other evidence do they have against you that makes you their top suspect?”

I smiled at her bravery to stand up against the police, “They don’t have anything. It's simply protocol to bring in people and I am one of those people.”

A couple of students scoffed and whispered to each other.

Steadily, the hands fell back down and their questions were answered with honesty.

I finally nodded to the last hand. He spoke silently so I shushed the class and asked him to speak up. He was fearful but swallowed his fright and spoke. “Why do so many people think you’re the killer when it’s obvious you aren’t? There’s no evidence of you actually committing the crime, no video, no fingerprints, nothing except assumption. In fact, most, if not all, the cases were considered suicide. So why did the public push you to go visit a psychiatrist?”

This question sparked me as interesting for it was the first time someone had brought up Emilia. Every question beforehand was about the cases, the interrogation, the ‘so-called’ evidence. I drew out my hands from my deep pockets and adjusted my glasses.

“Ladies and gentleman there was a killer out there. Someone who took the opportunity to murder. People became afraid. As they should. When the news got out that I was the last to see many of these people before they were laid to rest. The assumption that I was killing them grew. This means that people put their fear on me. With that fear now in a human form they wanted to feel safe and since there’s no evidence to put me as holder of these crimes, they instead used their votes to put me into weekly visits to the hospital. Every week on my choosing I go visit this woman and we simply talk. I do not blame anyone because I understand why they are doing what they are doing. This is an act of fear, and I am their target.”

“My dad says that this whole thing is stupid. That the police are wasting their time trying to pin it on you instead of actually trying to find the real killer.” Daniel said, scowling.

“Who even said they were murders?” The blonde ponytail spoke up. “We all know those people committed suicide or they were mere accidents. Mr. Cliff is innocent and we are using him as a pawn.”

Seeing as tempers were rising I decided to end the topic there, “Alright everyone, thank you for your questions now start on your assignment. It’ll be due by the end of this week.

Sounds of grumbling erupted from the students but they did as they were told. I stepped to my desk and began grading papers and answering questions from students only on the topic we learned about.

I knew the bell was about to ring as students started packing up their things and whispering to each other. As soon as the bell sounded, my students flooded out from the room. Some thanked me while others were too distracted with their conversations to say goodbye.

I finished my grading and decided to head to the teachers lounge. My next class wasn’t for another hour so I had some time to myself.

Walking into the air conditioned room, I was greeted by other teachers. They were talking amongst themselves quietly so I decided against starting a conversation.

I walked over to the counter which held a large variety of coffee dispensers and I dug into the white cupboards searching for my tea.

“Don’t want coffee?” Asked a tall man walking up to me.

“Good morning Don, and no, I prefer tea.” I smiled putting my hand around the box of tea bags.

“Haha, should’ve known. So, how have your classes been? I can’t imagine it being easy after what happened. The news is all over school. My own students are asking about you.”

I chuckled lightly as I started warming up some water. “It’s different. I wasn’t expecting this much attention about it, but I’m glad my students trusted me rather than jump to conclusions. It’s nice to have a level headed group of kids.”

“I bet.” Don mused, taking a sip from his mug. My water had just finished warming and I was now dipping the tea bag into the water watching it slowly dissolve and change color.

“I hate to ask,” Don started scratching his beard. The start of his conversation made me turn to actually look at him. He seemed older than I remembered. A beard now hugged his face and his kind eyes were hidden under bushy brows. His dress shirt was wrinkled after being tucked into his pants. “But, why do you think the killer did it? If there even is a killer at all.”

“What do you mean?” I questioned pulling the tea bag out and throwing it away. I brought the cup up to my lips and slowly sipped on the earthy taste.

“I don’t know, I mean, all these deaths seem in no way connected. It’s just the account that the world is going to crap, so people are taking the chance to escape now. But, if on the off chance there was someone behind it all, what do you think it would be? Why kill them?”

I thought about his question carefully and leaned up against the counter. Its edge sinking into my lower back. “Couldn’t tell you.” I took another sip and we finished the conversation with simple small talk. After the brief catch up he smiled, shook my hand, then walked away to join the other teachers.

I walked over to a couch, which faced a window, and sat down being careful to not spill my hot drink. I pondered upon my day thinking of moments when it was hard to hold in the urge to spill the truth.

To tell them that I’m far more twisted then they could imagine. To tell them the real reason as to why I truly murdered and watched them all die.

I shook away my giddiness and sunk into my spot. The cushion surrounded my firm figure and I was comfortable for the time being. I decided to not continue my train of thought on myself and instead focus on what the other teachers were discussing.

To the far right, where Don had stepped, was a small group of professors. Don the science professor, Reese the math professor and Cassidy a math and science professor. They were all in hushed voices but the room was silent enough that, from where I sat, their words could be heard.

“Anyone noticed the rise of students doing drugs recently? It’s ruining my class attendance. Half my class didn’t show up because of campus parties, which had drugs and alcohol. They were all too hungover and wasted to attend. Damn kids.” Cassidy cursed.

“I noticed it too, a student of mine was high during class and was trading in the back with the kid next to him.” Don said, adding to Cassidy’s comment.

“Whoa, I guess now that you mention it, a student of mine suddenly just stopped showing up to class. Evan Holsted, a bright kid, was helping around with tech but after he stopped showing up I had to fail him.”

“Fail him?” Cassidy asked with a shocked tone.

“Of course. Half my class credit is through attendance. Since he missed the past month along with not turning in assignments, I had to fail the boy. Damn shame honestly.” Reese explained.

“Wonder what his parents had to say,” Don asked, scratching his beard.

“They didn’t even care. According to them, he disappears sometimes.” Reese responded.

“Disappears?” Cassidy asked with concern. “What does that mean? Don’t they get worried? I mean, that’s their child.”

Reese just shook his head. “Nope. They aren’t worried. In fact he’s been missing for a while. They are convinced he’s fine so they refuse to call it in for a missing person.”

“It's those drugs. Kids get addicted. The kid’s probably dead in a ditch somewhere waiting to be found.” Don said, crossing his arms.

“Jesus man, this is my student we are talking about. I don’t want him dead!” Reese said panicking slightly.

“Relax, it was a joke. I’m sure the kid is fine. Just somewhere getting into trouble. Hey Greg!” Don called to me.

At the sound of my name being called I looked toward their direction. “Ever dealt with drugs before?” Reese asked.

I hummed digging through my memories. “Personally, I’ve neer dabbled in with those kinds of things. Instead I found other things more intriguing. Though,” I continued suddenly thinking back to a night long ago. “I did happen to walk by someone who overdosed.”

“Seriously?” Cassidy asked, coming to sit beside me on the couch. The two men followed and stood around adding me into their group of gossip.

“Yes, it was late one night and I happened to walk past a strip joint. Women of all shapes and colors were out front picking up gentlemen but I wasn’t interested. Instead I was looking forward to an email retaining some important information from a… friend of sorts.” I explained. My detail may have been over the edge but they didn’t seem to mind. Instead, my colleagues were leaning in, captivated by my story.

“On my late night stroll ,and after passing this place, I noticed the dark alley beside it. There was a person coming out to vomit in the streets. They wobbled in every direction and I could tell how hard it was for them to breathe. I stepped forward helping the boy sit down on the curb and asked someone to call 911.”

“Wow, you must’ve saved that boy’s life!” Cassidy said in awe. She placed her hand on my arm and the two professors looked at eachother rolling their eyes.

I cleared my throat and smiled. “Maybe, I never saw him again once he was taken away in the ambulance.”

“Congrats on doing the civil thing.” Reese said, a little skeptical. A bell sounded and Cassidy pulled her hands away from my arm.

“Shoot, I have a class in ten. Talk to you guys later.” She then left the room but not without gently glazing her fingertips across my shoulders. Almost instantaneously as the door clicked close the two professors jumped into aggression. “How’d you do that?”

“Is it some type of cologne you’re wearing?”

“There’s no way it could’ve just been your hero story.”

Taken aback by their sudden reaction I laughed momentarily. “What are you two going on about?”

Don spoke up and answered my question by saying, “Cassidy, Reese and I have been trying to get with her forever now. And suddenly you say one thing and she’s all over you.”

I took a sip from my tea noting that it was almost gone. “Didn’t notice.”

Reese rolled his eyes and scoffed at my words. “Didn’t notice? She’s hot! One hell of a smart and educated lady with the body of a fitness trainer.”

The two professors walked up to the counter to pour themselves another cup of coffee and I took down my last gulp.

“I best be off chaps, talk to you via email for the rest of the week.”

“Yeah see ya.” Don said, giving a toothy smile as I exited the lounge. I walked the halls, nodding to pacing students and staff members until I made it back to my room.

Still empty but slightly cooler than this morning, I sat down in my seat and laid back closing my eyes.

“I wonder if Emilia will bring up that case.” I said in a nonchalant way. My soft voice was drowned out by the fan beside my desk. “What was I doing out that night anyways?”

My memory surrounded me and I was swept into the moment.

The night was cool and my breath could be seen. Cars raced by and the city night was filled with millions of sounds. I was walking down the sidewalk with my hands stuffed into my pockets and coat zipped to the top letting the zipper rest just under my chin.

“Hey baby, want one of us to come home with you?” called a woman standing against a tall building. Inside the gastrous place, glass and leather vibrated to the beats of songs. Lewdness of multiple women dancing and parading around, all trapped in their own erotic world. I continued past the calling women and made a right to stop for a breather.

“Help.” Came a voice farther down the alley. Curiosity edged me toward it and I walked up to a figure lying on the ground. A boy no older than sixteen maybe. In his hand was a bottle of pills and around him laid needles. His mouth was foaming and his eyes watering. I watched as he choked.

The boy gagged and flopped to his side. The sight didn’t stir any kind of emotion inside of me, so I continued to watch to see if the animal would do anything to amuse me. To my silent want, the boy did. He closed his eyes and shook out another pill from the bottle into his already full mouth. Its vibrancy being swallowed up into the foam and disappearing. His body continued to convulse and shake.

I watched until he stopped moving. I watched until the foam dripped onto the pavement and I could see his swollen pink tongue. I kept my eyes on him until the person I headed to meet showed up.

“Mr. Cliff.” I turned abruptly and walked away from the body. “Here it is. You should also be receiving an email from me here shortly. I don’t know how many more times I can keep this up.” the man said, putting his hands on his hips after giving me a white envelope. As a car passed his blue inform shined and a silver badge lit up.

“Thank you,” I said confidently.

The man gave a low affirming hum and walked away from me. After seeing him walk out of the alley, I too left the dark place and started my way home.

“Hey baby, want a mama to keep you warm tonight?” A woman called leaving her post. Her heels echoed behind me, the sound drumming inside my head.

“No thank you. It’s seen as wrong by society to spend a night with someone like you.” The heels were now beside me and she popped her lips out in an ‘O’ shape. “Please, let’s go against the flow. Society is stupid anyways.” I stopped in my place and looked at her. She was wearing a brown fur coat and underneath was a red crop top, spandex shorts and fishnets with red heels. Her clumpy curls framed her oval shaped face and her lashes curled up to her brows.

“What do you say baby? Mama makes you feel good tonight?” she asked in a sickly manner.

“My place is a little too cramped. How about we go back to your place?” I agreed, suddenly shifting my mood.

“Sounds good to me baby, lets go.” She gleamed latching her arm through mine and dragged me a few blocks away. On the way she started spouting payment types and certain acts she was trained to perform. I, however, was detached from the conversation. All her information went in one ear out the other, for I was determined to make her pay for the words she had sprouted moments earlier.

The audacity to go against society.

“The name is Sapphire, you just sit your little hiney down sugar and I’ll be right back.” She winked at me and then left the room. The home was quite large and I questioned her reasoning to be what she was. The room I was situated in was a deep purple with yellow light illuminating the ceiling. Upbeat music matching the one from the club was playing but it wasn’t loud enough to cover the voices from the next room over.

Sapphire had walked into her bedroom to disrobed and prepare when a man drunkenly grabbed onto her arm.

“The hell Damien. What are you doing here? I have a client.” She hissed.

“Screw the client, I’m your boyfriend, we were together…” The end of his sentence drifted into a slurring of words. She shoved him away and their argument continued for a bit until he finished the bottle of booze in his hand and passed out from his high.

Huffing, Sapphire re-entered the darkly lit room. “Now, what would you like your show to be?” Her hips started to sway and she rocked herself slowly, stepping up to my form.

“Sit down.” I said pointing my finger to my knee. A little confused she propped herself onto my knee and wrapped her arms around my neck.

Sapphire was a beautiful woman. Big eyes, small jaw. The way the bags under her eyes cupped the bottom of her lids. I examined her lips. Their small shape being drawn back until they disappeared into regular skin. Her neck was slender and clean of makeup. Her hair flowed gracefully over her shoulders and twisted on top of her breasts.

“Do you really believe what you said?” I asked as my hand grazed up her spine then lightly grasping the back of her neck.

“Which part?” She asked, cocking her head and licking her lips.

“The part when you said that we should simply forget what society thinks. To go against it.” My left hand was now trailing up her leg to her thigh. My fingers running over the fishnets and tracing the outline of her figure.

“Society is fucked up. So I don’t care what it thinks about me. I could die tonight and the world wouldn’t care. Why do you think that is?”

I could sense the honesty behind her answer and I drew her in closer. Her eyelashes now fluttering directly in front of my own.

“Because you are a stain on society. Getting rid of you would only make the world a better place.” I growled to her face.

She didn’t understand at the moment what I was doing and swung her legs around the chair I was in, catching me in her grip. “Oh, what a turn on.” She flipped her hair and rubbed her hands from my shoulders down my chest. I took my left hand and brought it into an identical position to the other and held her head in my hands.

“Just a stain.”

My right hand twisted and my left grasped her hair pushing her head in clockwise direction. Popping noises filled the room and my hands were met with the tickling sensation of her neck snapping. The shock of horror that was left on her face put a smile on mine. It looked identical to the boys from earlier.

I placed her on the floor and walked around the room searching for something in particular. I hadn’t gotten my revenge from what she said. I grabbed a washcloth from her sink and, to my pleasure, an axe by her fireplace.

Walking back to her body I cleaned her neck of any oils I may have left, and then began to swing the axe down into her body. Blood rushed from the body and the sound it produced, I memorized. Twenty three times I swung that axe. Cutting her body down.

Satisfaction crawled into my skin and I walked into her bedroom to frame the man lying on the ground wasted.

I ruffled my hair, slightly loosened my jacket and quickly walked from the room taking the washcloth with me and wiping down any final fingerprints.

Coming back to the present I frowned with curiosity. That night was unwanted and distasteful. Though I may have enjoyed the events I was highly unsatisfied with the time wasted.

My door was swung open hesitantly but in walked a student holding a pile of papers.

“Oh, Mr. Cliff. Excuse me, I didn’t think you would be here.”

“No need to worry Daniel. What made you come back? I don’t have you in my next class.”

Daniel shortened the distance between us and laid the papers onto my desk. “Just came to hand in my assignment.”

“A little late are we?” I questioned dragging them to me and flattening them in my hands.

“Sorry. My dad and I were arguing all weekend and I just never got to it till last night.” He said, rubbing his hands together and shifting his weight.

“Last night? This was two to three days worth of work.” I noted.

“What can I say. The life of a college kid.” Daniel laughed.

“Daniel. How are things at home? I don’t mean to pry but you are one of my students.”

I was careful with my pushyness and didn’t want to come across as nosey. Daniel was a favorite of mine. Hard working, good morals.

“Well it was actually about you, Mr. Cliff.” He said, averting his gaze away from mine. My jaw shifted and I leaned back in my chair.

“How flattering.”

Daniel laughed again and he eased up with my dismissive mood. “He’s just skeptical about you. He’s convinced you did the murders but I think it’s stupid.”

“I appreciate you taking my side Daniel.” I hummed.

“Of course. You’re one of the best professors we have at this school. There’s no way you could have done it. A lot of people want to start protesting against the police about this but we also don’t want to start a riot of some kind.” He said, sighing.

I let out a forced chuckle to cover up my own pride. “Daniel. This is society. We must not fight the system. Instead, simply stand your ground if you think something is right or wrong. But do not fight it. I do not mind the attention this brings.”

“Really?” He asked, meeting my eyes for once. I bowed in response.

“I heard you were paired with Emilia C. Swafford. Is that true?” He asked.

“It is.” I said, smirking. I fiddled with the papers in my hand then laid them inside my desk so that after school I would put them into my briefcase to be graded later at my apartment.

“You know the rumors behind her right?” Daniel asked in a whispered tone.

I leaned in, “Rumors?”

“Yeah, the one about the dirty cops and her husband.” A group of students walked in through my classroom door and Daniel shot upright. “Sorry to bother you, I should be heading to my next class, gonna be late.” He then left the room swiftly as another group walked in. Slowly my classroom filled and their grumblings about the heat that hovered in the air.

The day continued on like normal and it was now time for me to head back home. Packing everything into my briefcase, I walked out and said my goodbye’s to many passing acquaintances.

Work was a wonderful distraction but home was the place I was most comfortable. I wish I could understand the things I would feel from time to time. A soft feeling inside my chest, hardly there but big enough to notice. The pain in my head after listening to endless conversations and questions.

It was the emotion that comes with a simple headache.

I crossed the street and entered the all-too-familiar apartment complex. I was greeted by the people fetching their midday mail and excused as I entered the elevator. While inside the metal container I fiddled with my watch which had stopped ticking at two fifteen.

A child stood in front of me holding his mother’s hand. She was busy watching the glowing lights above and clutching onto her brown bag of groceries to notice me eyeing her. Her lean build was calming to the eye. Her clothes’ light and colorful. Her son was kicking the ground bobbing his head as if entranced by something on the floor.

A ding sounded and the metal doors slid open revealing the small but long hallway of doors. She stepped out and I followed her for it too, was my floor. I stepped up to my door and messed around with my keys.

The boy and the mother continued down further in the hall until they stopped at an identical door. “Hold on dear or you’ll make me drop the food.” She said, trying to not tip over. The boy was not letting up on his grasp to his mother's hand and continued to stare at the floor. “You need to let go of my hand, I have to get my keys. Let go.” She said, trying to wiggle her hand from her sons. I dropped my briefcase and walked toward the woman.

“Need a hand?” I asked, outstretching my arm to her. She looked at me and smiled.

“Thank you, I’m so sorry, I don’t know what’s up with him.” She allowed me to grab the brown paper bag and she dug into her pockets finding her keys. “I’ll tell you, these keys are no easy feat to use.” She said laughing and sighing all at once.

“I know, I struggle with them all the time.”

She slipped the key and pushed the door open. The boy instantly detached himself from his mother and ran into the apartment.

The mother shook her head exhausted.

“I haven’t seen you around in the complex before. New?” I asked.

The woman smiled to herself and then looked up to meet my eyes. “We are. My husband um. Unfortunately lost his job along with everything we had. So we had to move here. Not that you want to know anything about that. I’m so sorry for wasting your time.” She said reaching for the bag from me. I kindly handed it to her and began to give a quick response.

“No need to apologize. I’ve heard it all. If you need anything I’m right down the hall. Apartment C 11.”

The woman’s smile brightened and the vibe of awkwardness between us vanished.

“Chloe. Chloe Walker.” she said extending her slightly free arm.

“Mr. Cliff. Gregory Cliff. Welcome to the second floor.”

“Thank you again, and I’ll remember to go to you for anything. Nice to know I got sweet neighbors.” I tipped my head and we both parted ways.

“Oh! Mr. Cliff, good to see you again. Who were you just talking with? Someone new?” Ms. Briggs sang coming up to meet me. I was just at my door with my hand wrapped around my keys.

“Why yes, Mrs. Walker and I were just getting acquainted.” I replied.

“Ah a Mrs. Thank goodness. She’s mighty pretty. I’d hate for her to steal you away from me.” She said leaning against my door frame. “I just brewed some tea, would you like to join?” She baited.

“No thank you Ms. Briggs. I have a few things I need to take care of.” I kindly rejected.

“Shoot. I thought of all the things that would work.” She snapped and walked off back to her room. I opened my door and walked in grabbing my briefcase from the ground. “You think a lot of things Ms.Briggs.” I said quietly to myself, closing the door.

“How was today Ms. Wadsworth? Any noise or struggle?”I asked, turning to face the obedient woman.

“No sir. Is there anything you would like me to do before leaving?” She asked timidly.

“Not today, Thank you, Here’s your pay. Have a good night.” She bowed and left the room grabbing the cash from my hand on her way out.

I glanced to my sink then to the counters. I took in the floor and then looked at the small living space. Dirty, full, cramped and clustered.

I dropped my keys in their bowl and headed to my room, shutting the door after stepping inside. My chest was tight and I bent my neck cracking it in relief.

“Another day done.” I said to the nearly empty room. I didn’t have much to do for the rest of the day, so I was content with the thought of going to bed early. An odor was being emitted from my closet but it wasn’t bad enough to bother me.

As I started my normal end of the day list, I propped up my computer and opened my briefcase to reveal a small stack of papers.

Swiftly, the pile disappeared and my email was emptied. Taking a look at my watch I sighed again remembering that it was broken. I untwisted the clip and placed it on my desk.

As I was closing my screen, it binged, signaling I had gotten another email. Reopening my computer I saw that the email was from an institution.

Emilia C. Swafford - Medical file and improvement.

Hello Mr. Cliff,

This is a little something I send to all my patients here at the hospital.

First off, I would like to congratulate you on making improvements over the last few months. Our talks are quite interesting and overall informative on your character.

Second, is we have so far gone over eleven full cases. Though you are still a lead suspect, I can say with full confidence that this may help the public feel slightly more at ease with your public presence.

And finally, If you ever want to confess to any crimes, let me know. :)

Thank you for doing your civil duty to keep the public safe and I look forward to seeing you sometime soon.

Sincerely - Emilia C. Swafford.

Looking at the email I maintained my natural mood. Was she trying to be sweet? Or simply hitting a nerve? I slid my finger over the mouse pad and tapped on the ‘reply’ button. My screen became white and a blinking curse started to pulsate on the page.

Dear Emilia,

Thank you for the email.

- Mr. Cliff.

Also, Do you know of any watch repair places in town?

I then hovered my mouse over the send and tapped letting the simplistic response fall away.

I then closed my computer and slid into bed after flicking off the light. Sirens sounded from the window, and lights flashed through my room. However, I was still able to close my eyes and drift to sleep immediately.