Chapter 24- Norman

                                    

                                          
I opened the door to the bar, looking around as I did. The smell of alcohol and body odor wafted into my face, causing me to scrunch up my nose. According to the tracker, he should be here. I scanned the bar. No one immediately stood out, so I went to the counter and sat down, ordering a drink. I sipped on it as I looked around me.
It had been a while since I'd been at a bar. I usually drink at home. I don't like being vulnerable in front of other people, especially on the off chance that I make someone mad. But right now, was different. Now that it was dark out, I thought it would be the perfect time to go find Adam. I knew that I had every chance to end him at the apartment, but I didn't want it to be too obvious.
This way, I can make it look like he angered someone else. I mean, who would wait even a week before hunting someone down that wronged you when they could get away at any moment? Well, I would. It's called calculation. 
"Are you new here?" A girl's voice knocked me out of my thoughts. I glanced at the occupied seat next to me to see a girl with long, blonde hair and blue eyes. She wasn't my type. My type are girls with brown hair, preferably cut shoulder-length. I looked away from her, going back to my drink. She giggled, as if I said a funny joke. "You seem nice. How about we talk? It's not like you're doing much anyway."
I scoffed. "I'm waiting for someone. Screw off." The girl went quiet but didn't move. I glanced at her again, this time, scowling. "Do I have to repeat myself?"
When I saw her face, I saw that she was smiling. She didn't care. She reached to my arm and grazed her finger over it. "Are you looking for Adam?" I looked at her closer this time. How did she know? I looked down at her arm, which had purple marks in the shape of a hand. She was being abused, that much was obvious.
I looked back up at her face. Her smile was sour. "I can help you. I want him gone as much as you do. That's what you're doing, isn't it?" She reached out with her other hand and placed something on the counter. It was a white tile, the same thing that I had put in Adam's car while he was still in the building. I looked at the girl, but before I could say anything, she stuck her arm out for me. "My name's Eliana. Adam is my boyfriend."
I hesitantly shook her hand. But if Adam is her boyfriend, then what about Julia? I didn't voice my concerns. Instead, I asked her something else. "How did you find the tile?" I kept my voice quiet.
Eliana smiled sadly. "I got an alert on my phone. I checked his car in the middle of the night. I'm lucky he didn't figure it out." She paused before looking around the bar, as if someone was going to jump out at her. And then she continued. "Adam isn't here." She spoke quietly. "But I can bring you to his home. I'll tell the police that I did it. You'll be safe."
I stared at her, not fully believing her. "If you're willing to take the blame, then why don't you do it yourself?" It didn't make sense to me. I've never had anyone come up to me with a request like this.
Eliana shrugged. "I've thought about it. But I'm a very religious person. I know I'm going to Hell either way, but at least this way, I don't have to straight up kill him. People will just think I did."
I believed her. But I felt the need to question why I did. But if I'm being honest, the look in her eyes showed it all. It looked as if she were pleading for help. Begging for any possible escape from this life. And I was willing to give it to her. Not that I cared for her, but because this is the perfect opportunity. I can get back at him for trying to take away what belongs to me. And I can make sure that he never does it again. I nodded. "Okay, I'm in."
I drank the rest of my drink, but before I could stand up, Eliana grabbed my arm. She wasn't looking at me at that exact moment, but behind me at the bartender. She looked into my eyes and smiled, but what she said didn't fit the smile. "We have to act like we're hooking up. That way, it's not suspicious that my boyfriend dies right after we leave together."
I smiled down at her, not feeling the emotion as I did. I put my hand on her cheek and leaned forward to kiss her, faking the passion and lust. Eliana got into it, wrapping her arms around my neck. The bartender walked over in the middle of it. "Get out of here! Go to your house and do that!" The elder man swatted at us.
Eliana broke the kiss and smiled at him. "Sorry!" And then she dragged me out of there with the perfect excuse to leave with me. We both acted as if we were desperate for each other until we made it inside of her car. We both silently decided that it would be safer if I went home with her in her own vehicle. I'll have to walk back to the bar on my own after the fact.
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"Adam! I'm back!" Eliana set her keys down on the table next to the door, which I closed behind me. I silently watched as Eliana glanced at the shoes next to the door, yet obviously didn't care about taking her shoes off right now.
Eliana guided me into the living room yet had me wait by the entrance to the room as she approached Adam. "What are you watching?" The answer was obvious. What else would he be watching with a bunch of people running around a field with a football?
Adam looked up at her with annoyance before looking down at her feet. Rage filled his eyes as he jumped up. "What the fuck have I told you about taking your shoes off at the door?!" He stepped closer to her, grabbing her by the neck before she could jump out of the way. "And then you want to come home smelling like cheap whiskey? Tell me, did you suck off some needy man for some extra cash." His eyes narrowed and he smiled. He let go of his neck and wiped her smeared lipstick with his thumb. "It looks like it."
His smile disappeared and out of nowhere, Eliana was on the ground, holding her red face with the imprint of a fist on her cheek. I turned and walked out of the entryway and went to the kitchen, which was closer to the door than the living room was. I didn't have to touch anything. In fact, I still had gloves in my pocket. I put them on and grabbed a large butcher knife from the knife drawer. I turned and went back to the living room, smiling as I did. This was going to be fun.
I walked silently through the doorway and toward Adam, who was screaming at Eliana. I smiled deeply. Once I was finally behind him, Eliana looked at me, causing Adam to look as well. His eyes widened in a way that I can't quite explain. Maybe it was the fear, the shock, or something else entirely. I smiled wickedly. I grabbed his face, covering his mouth, and stabbed his fucking throat. His eyes just about popped out of his skull at the pure horror of it all.
When Adam finally collapsed, I was almost satisfied. I turned to Eliana and crouched down. I tilted my head at her. "How do I know that you aren't going to rat me out?"
Her eyes widened, fear now overcoming her. "What?" Her voice was so tiny. She cowered, trying to get as small as possible, as if it would save her.
I leaned closer to her, taking her chin in between my finger and thumb. "You've escaped him already, haven't you?" I leaned closer, only an inch away from her face now. "So, I'm not needed, am I?"
Eliana shook her head, tears coming to her eyes. "N-no. Of course you are. You saved me!" She tried so hard to plead to me, but I wasn't listening. I'm not going to sabotage my life for this girl that I just met.
I tilted my head, examining her face. "I bet you could have made someone really happy." And then I brought the knife to her stomach and plunged it in. Eliana grabbed my arm, eyes widening in terror. I moved my hand to the back of her head and supported her as I slowly laid her down. "Shh, just relax, Eliana." I smiled. "It'll all be over soon."
Tears rolled down her cheeks as she stared up at me. Her lip trembled. "I- I wasn't going to betray you." Her eyes went glossy.
My expression was dark. I could feel it. I didn't care if she betrayed me or not. But what's going to happen when the evidence points to the fact that she's lying? What if she slips up? Then it's on my ass.
Eliana's eyes went blank, the life already faded away. I stood up, wiped the knife on the dry part of her clothes, and brought it with me. I turned toward the door and left the house, going back to the bar to follow the bartender home. I can't have him being questioned.