Deception Twelve: Stalking is fun!

[hungry_monster]

[Filtered away from Anna]

I have a question Mayfield. I know we have to stay in our "assigned housing but we are able to leave at times. Does anyone know what the exact amount of time you are allowed to stay away from your house is?

I would be most appreciative.

[a. In his elementary school classroom, Johan is has a new assignment for you kids.

Comments

a

[strike_you_out]

[For this assignment, Slugger sighs and writes about the only "family" he's ever known. It can be summarized as something along the lines of "Miss Susan is a schoolteacher. Great-grandfather is Death. Edward is an idiot in green."

The paper is short and lacking in great detail, but it will be clear to Johan who Slugger's "father" is by the end of it. He will hand it in either at the end of class or when it's asked for, then quietly go about his business with eyes lowered and shaded by his cap.]

[strike_you_out]

[This is, by far, the most awake Slugger has looked since stepping foot into the classroom. You've captured his interest, Johan, and it's evident by the look on his face that he's quietly formulating another question for you...]

What if you never escape Mayfield?

[hungry_monster]

Do you know what a person who has lost the will to live looks like?

There's something broken in their eyes. It's as if their soul is already dead and nothing they do after that really matters. It's only a means to an end. An end they will do anything to reach.

[Just standing there with his hands clasped together, oh so calm.]

I'm curious though. What if they can't die?

[strike_you_out]

[This is a concept Slugger has thought about time and again -- the inability of his victims to die for good when he strikes them.]

Their minds must be damaged beyond use. The closest thing to death... [The closest thing to escape.]

[hungry_monster]

Yes. They might well be. Or perhaps they will turn on others. Perhaps they will do something interesting.

Perhaps the town will burn.

[strike_you_out]

[...And if that happens, fear and paranoia will flourish. Mayfield will become a bountiful land of victims to prey on.

Slugger says nothing; he only smiles.]

[hungry_monster]

[A scenery of a doomsday.]

And you're Edwards son here?

[Oh he bet's Edward just loves you.]

[strike_you_out]

[The smile fades suddenly as Slugger lowers his gaze and turns back toward the paper on his desk.

He answers with a stiff nod.]

[hungry_monster]

A shame.

You wouldn't happen to know why he has to leave riddles behind him would you?

[strike_you_out]

[A shrug.]

To look smart.

[hungry_monster]

I wonder if he can help it.

[Thoughtful.]

He seemed quite defensive when I brought up the idea.

[strike_you_out]

[Still staring at his paper, he taps the end of his pencil atop his desk before adding something more to Edward's description. When he's finished, he sits up and turns the paper so Johan can read what's written.

It reads along the lines of "has obsession with riddles" or something close to it (Slugger's grasp of writing/spelling in English is somewhat tenuous.)]

[hungry_monster]

It does seem like that.

[strike_you_out]

How did you meet him?

[hungry_monster]

He killed me during the Christmas event.

[strike_you_out]

That was you?

[Yes, Edward did tell him about it. Mayfield is a smaller town than he'd thought.]