The Bad Ones

by Stylo Fantome

“Great...

See? You know me so well. Just trust that, and we'll ...

It feels like I've known you for so much longer than...

kept waiting for you to notice me, to see me, for you to get it. I almost began to think you never would. And then I saw the drawing you did of us, the shadow man and the little girl, and that was it. I didn't worry anymore. You weren't ready then, and you still weren't ready the following year, but I knew we'd be together,”

“So you stalked me all through high school,” she clarified. “Kind of romantic, isn't it?” “It's creepy as fuck.” “Yeah, exactly – romantic. Anyway,

Don't lie to me and say you have, because I know you haven't. And it's okay. I waited for you for years. I'll wait however long it takes,”

She could call the whole thing off. Could leave him alone in the darkness.

Please. Please trust me. Please understand me. Please let me love you in the only way I know how. Please don't let me destroy us.

I remember, I was wondering if it would be weird if I called you. God, it was after midnight, it'd been three years since we'd last talked, and I was thinking of trying to call you. You've turned me into a puppy dog,”

“What did you do?” “I put his head on the bottom stair and I stepped on his neck. Snap.” “Jesus.” “Quick and easy. Better than he deserved.” “Do you really think he killed your mother?”

I knew he would've become a problem for us at some point, would've stood in our way. I hated him. I never wanted to see him again, so I made damn sure I wouldn't.”

“I wish I'd been there,” she whispered. He kissed the top of her head. “You will be next time.” “Promise?”

“Are you scared now?” he whispered, leaning over her again. She took a shaky breath. “I could never be scared of you,” she whispered back. He kissed her then. It felt like it had been a long time since his lips had touched hers.

“But now everyone will know. About us.” “I want everyone to know. By the time we're done in this town, they'll never be able to forget us.” Her eyes fell shut again. “Promise?” “I promise.”

“I don't know why I speak, when clearly you know me so much better than I know myself,”

“Then tell me, Mr. Masters. What is my problem? Why am I so upset? Why didn't I want to see you tonight?”

You're upset because you think you might be in love with me and you don't know what that means. You're scared because you think I don't love you back.”

“Ah. You do know me better than I know myself,” she whispered. He nodded against her. “I know. It's very frustrating.” “Why?” “Because I keep hoping you'll get to know me.” “I'm trying. I'm just ...” “ … scared.”

“All I've ever wanted was to be myself, all the time,” her voice was shaky. “And for you to love me.”

“Just trust me. Trust us, and you'll get everything you want,” he assured her. “I hope so,” she breathed. “You know what, I know what you need,” his voice got loud again. “Of course you do...

Even maniacs can have a little fun.

Con stood behind her and blocked her body as a strong breeze ripped across them. “I like that you're difficult. I like that you're the perfect size, made to fit inside me,” he replied,

her. “I like that I can tell you anything, and I don't have to worry about what you'll think – I can tell you I killed someone, or had my fingers in someone, or I short changed a clerk, and you'll still like me.”

“But if anyone else gives me any shit, I'm going to stab them in the eye.” “And I'll help you bury the body,” he promised. “Such a clever boy, Constantine Masters.” “Such a good girl, Dulcie Travers.”

When he'd choked her to the point she'd almost passed out. His fingers got tighter and she felt him lean close, felt his tongue on the side of her face, and she sighed. What a beautiful darkness we are.

One of his hands went back around her neck, preventing her from crying out too loudly. Not that it mattered, they were alone in the night. Alone in their dark place.

Or at least, she thought they were …

“So I'm the bad guy!?” she screamed, slapping him in the chest. “Does that make you feel less like a psycho, Con? Fine. FINE. I'm the fucking bad guy! I did it all!”

I thought we were in this together,” he reminded her. “Well, we're not,” she said boldly, wiping at her face. “What the fuck did you just say to me!?” “We're just two fucking crazy people, making each other crazier,”

“You think I'm crazy. You think we're crazy, that what's going on between us is crazy,”

“I do, now get away from me.” “Don't talk to me like that.” “Get your fucking hands off me!” she shouted, trying to push him away. “I touch you whenever I want,” he growled as he put a hand on her chest, holding her in place. “You don't own me!”

“Why can't you trust me? If you want me to hurt, then fine. Fucking fine, Dulcie. I'll hurt for you. I'll bleed for you. All you have to do is ask.”

“That's the problem,” she whispered, watching her tears fall onto his shirt. “I don't want you to bleed.”

“You're not the bad guy in this story,” he whispered. “I know. I know that's not what you were saying.” “And neither am I,” he continued. “I know.” “We are,” he said, finally looking right at her. “Both of us. We're the bad ones. Together.” She nodded. “Together.”

You made me promise to never leave. It works both ways, you know – don't you get it? You own me, too. I'm a part of you, you can't just push me away when you get scared.”

“Don't ever be scared. It kills me. From now on, tell me whenever you're scared, and I'll take away your fears. Tell me when you're hurting, and I'll bleed for you.”

He's so goddamn beautiful. Shines so bright, I can't even see him.

“Some day you will. Some day, you'll really love me, and if it's even half as much as I love you, we'll set the world on fire.”

“I love you,” he was fighting for breath. “I love you so goddamn much, I would tear apart this whole world for you.”

She couldn't say the words because she didn't trust him enough yet; didn't trust herself. But she could give him this – a moment in time they'd always remember. A beating heart that would only ever belong to him. It was all in black, and her memory of anatomy was shaky at best, but one entire wall was covered in a heart. A real heart, with arteries and ventricles and blood. So much blood.

“I think you're beautiful. That's why I could never draw your face. I could never do you justice. You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen. I just wanted you to know that,” she blurted out.

“Little girl,” he sighed. “You have got to start trusting me.” “I do,” she snapped, and a tear finally spilled over onto her cheek. He was quick to wipe it up with his thumb. “Then trust me when I say we'll get out of this just fine. Just trust me, and do everything I said, and don't be scared, and we'll be just fine,” he assured her.

He had blood on his hands and smeared down one cheek. His bare feet were dirty, as well. He looked like a wild thing, like something that had crawled out of a nightmare. Like a monster. And as if he could read her thoughts, he slowly turned towards her and leaned down close. She realized he was grinning. Grinning so big, she could see all his fangs. “This is the part where you run away, little girl.”

She kissed him back, wanting more from him. Wanting everything. If I could just die like this … what a beautiful moment … what a beautiful man …

“I didn't … I wasn't ...” she panted. She felt his lips against her forehead. “Baby, I wish you could feel this the way I do. Fucking amazing.” He twisted the knife and she finally cried out.

“I wasn't ready,”

“Doesn't matter. It had to be done,” he assured her. She stared at him through her tears. Stared at those blue, blue eyes. “But I wanted to tell you I love you,” she whispered.

“Ah,” he breathed, and his Cheshire grin was back in place. “Now, Dulcie. Now we can finally be together.” She smiled back at him and nodded. Then he stabbed her again.

I'm sorry I couldn't help you, Dulcie, but for what it's worth … thank you for helping me.

“Pretty amazing. We are pretty amazing,” she sighed, smoothing her hand over the mark on her skin. “We shine like stars, little girl,” he agreed, his fingers moving alongside hers.