Chapter 1: The Catalyst

The job was done.  The only man who could’ve put the evildoers of this city behind bars is dead.  Not only is he dead, but also his entire body completely erased.  Shot, hacked to pieces, burned, remains crushed and then scattered like grass seed.  A man named Albert handled this job.  Albert is the mystery and the man whom basically ensures that if anyone in town sees a crime being committed they fear to speak of it to the police.  The sign entering the city should read, “Welcome to South Lake Gardens: A place to learn how to keep your mouth shut.”

There was only one more detail to attend to.  That detail was crying and thrashing in the trunk of the car.  It is fourteen-year-old girl who will never see her father again.  Albert watched as his partner in crime, Walter opened the trunk to examine his prize.  Walter is a bitter old man.  Fat, sick and twisted.  The fearful eyes illuminated by the trunk light give a rush of pleasure to the balding senior.  Albert leaves a house burning in the background and stands next to Walter in the driveway.  In the trunk he can see her.  Another nameless, innocent, victim she is.  Eyes wide with terror and hair soaked in tears.  A mouth that would surely scream for help if not bound tightly shut by a roll of duct tape.  Albert’s eyes turn to Walters smile and then back to the girl.  He knows what’s next.  It has to be done.  But just like every time, it makes Albert sick.