| |
The Traveler didn’t have much time to convince David he was here to help him as he pulled the transport van off the road. He hoped that by giving David the guard, he would realize he was here to free David from the hell he had been forced to live this past year.
After ensuring the van was hidden from the road, he stepped out of the vehicle and unlocked the door. “Relax my friend, I am here to help you, but we have to hurry. I want to be well on our way before anyone realizes that you have escaped.”
As he removed the shackles from David’s wrists, he continued to explain. “I am a fellow brother, and I am here to help you but we must hurry. My RV is hidden behind the van. To show you my support I have a gift for you. But again, I must stress that we hurry.”
When David went to lurch for him, The Traveler quickly pulled out the knife he had kept tucked in the back of his waistband. “I don’t want to hurt you, but we must leave quickly. I will explain everything while we are on the road.” Smiling, he continued to explain, “You must have certain hungers which need to be met, and I hope what I have waiting will curb your appetite.”
David’s curiosity must have gotten the better of him, because he visibly relaxed and followed The Traveler out of the van.
The Traveler quickly unlocked the RV’s side door, and ushered David inside. “Come inside and let me show you what I have for you.”
He could feel David as he peered over his shoulder as he opened the hidden door. “I know you prefer women, but he should help satisfy your appetite for now.”
At the sight of the two men, the guard began fighting against his restraints. “Once we are on the road, you are more than welcome to quench any desires you may have, but I do believe we should become better acquainted first.”
One look at David and The Traveler knew he was anxious to kill. He had that look in his eyes - one of a predator. A man with no pity, remorse, or compassion for others. Yes, David may indeed be just like him.
Closing the bedroom door, The Traveler stated, “He will be fine back here for now. Let’s get this journey started and leave Louisiana quickly my friend.” Holding out his hand, he introduced himself, “I am called The Traveler.”
“It’s nice to meet you, mon ami. I’m still unsure why you helped me escape, though.”
As they fastened their seatbelts, The Traveler laughingly stated. “Let’s just say that we are kindred spirits.”
The Traveler watched as David scrutinized him. “I take it you aren’t a cop then?” David asked.
“No, I am not a cop.”
“So, who are you?”
“I am but a simple traveler who enjoys the countryside and the people associated with it.” Glancing over at David as he eased the RV onto the road he added, “As I said, I am the same as you.”
“Same as me, huh?”
“Well, actually I may be a little wiser than you in some ways. I prefer to keep my talents hidden.”
David nodded as he looked around. “Hmmm. Well, just what is it that you do?”
“For work, I take an odd job here and there when I need money. Most of the time I simply take money from my victims. I grew up poor, so money has never been important to me. I learned the hard way what it was like to go without.”
David looked over at The Traveler and asked, “And why did you set me free?”
“You and I are very much alike; solitary creatures. I have never told another living soul about my secret life. I never met anyone else who I could share my exploits with. I have been doing this for quite some time and before you, I never met another hunter.”
The Traveler could tell that David was intrigued. He had not been lying when he said he had never talked about his secret desires before, except of course with his victims and that was only done to terrify them.
“So did you free me so that you had someone to swap stories with?”
Shaking his head The Traveler replied, “No, I believed it was a true shame that someone with your talents would be put away for good. There is so much that we can teach each other.”
David let out a laugh. “You honestly think that you can teach me something?”
“Well, I haven’t been caught.”
“And just how have you managed that, mon ami?”
“Well, as you know, bleach destroys DNA, and I have disposed of several bodies in water. The water helps wash away any remaining trace evidence and if the bodies are found, it is difficult to pinpoint the actual disposal site. But mostly it is because I never stay in one place long. By the time the body is discovered, I am long gone.”
“And do you have proof of these so called ‘victims’?”
“Living in an RV it is hard to keep trophies, lack of space and all. Besides, very few prostitutes carry IDs but I have kept an occasional license and such.”
“What about videotapes?”
Shaking his head, The Traveler answered, “No, I never invested in the equipment to do that.”
“Ah, but when you record your ministrations it helps you to relive the event whenever you wish. Memories have a tendency to fade away.”
David looked back to the closed door saying, “Speaking of memories fading away. It has been a while since I felt the warmth of blood on my hands, would it be possible to pay a little visit to your guest?”
The Traveler gave him a large grin. “By all means, please enjoy yourself. We can always share the next victim.” As David headed back, The Traveler asked, “Would you please leave the door open so that I can listen to his screams as I drive though?”
“Mais oui, mon ami. That I can do.”
The sounds coming from the prison guard as David released his pent up desires was pure music to The Traveler’s ears. Yes, this may just turn out to be a perfect friendship.
***
OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS, they slowly formed a brotherly bond, The Traveler decided to reveal his trophies to David. This helped prove to David that The Traveler did indeed share the same passion as him, just not quite at the same level yet.
One night, The Traveler divulged some of the harassment he endured growing up. As they made their plans for retribution, they agreed that it would be better if The Traveler drove during the day and David at night. Although David was indeed grateful to be free, he had yet to show a complete trust in The Traveler.
While The Traveler talked about his childhood, all David talked about was the various ways he wanted to kill. But then again, that was understandable - he’d had a year to do nothing but dream of things he could be doing.
As David thought about the havoc they were about to release on the unsuspecting victims, he patted The Traveler’s shoulder, “Mon ami, call me by my trade name, The Hunter. After all, we are partners in crime now.”