The Angel's Silence

It was a dark mid autumn night.
A woman in her late 30's was walking down the street, trying to find her way to the train station, when she heard what sounded like a child weeping. She tried to continue on, but the sound distracted her, and soon she found herself walking towards the sound. Nevertheless, strangely, the closer she got to it, the further it seemed to go. Soon, it was gone completely. She was now all alone in a back alley. Because she was alone and because it was so intensely dark, she felt uneasy. Like something or someone was breathing down her neck. Just then, she felt a hand go over her mouth, and a knife to her throat.
A soft voice whispered, "Make one sound and I will slit your throat, do you understand me?" The woman shook her head. He gagged and tied her up. Carried her to his car, put her in the trunk and drove away into the night.

The next day, a local man was sipping his coffee, getting ready to go rake some leaves in his back yard when he thought he saw a man in all black carrying a body over his shoulders, and dumping it into the lake nearby. The man called the police, and soon they arrived to a gruesome scene. In the water was the headless body of a woman. She was missing several other body parts. During the autopsy, they discovered that the victim had been completely exanguated.
The news spread fast in the small town.
A family was eating breakfast, getting ready to start their day.
The wife, a medium built blond woman said to her husband,
"Have you read the paper? It looks like the killer and struck again. They found a woman's body in old man Jenkins' lake. When is this going to stop? I don't even feel comfortable letting the kids go to school anymore."
The husband, a tall thin man with dark hair said,
"You're just being overly paranoid.
Serial killers usually only kill strippers and prostitutes. People who probably have no family. People who would not be missed. He would not go after someone as young as our daughters who have a family and friends. I am sure that the cops are doing everything they can to catch whoever is committing these crimes."
"You're right. I am just being paranoid, but it's my job as a mother to be overly caution."
Stated the wife.
They sent their kids off the school. Identical twin girls, 17 years of age.
Maya and Rayna.

***

The Valle Pacifica police were desperately searching the crime scene for any clues that may have been left, but so far, the search was turning up nothing more than dirt.
Several people interviewed the man who claimed to have scene a man dumping the body. . He was their main suspect, but he was a thin, frail old man. There was no way that he could have carried the body. He was soon cleared.
This was the 19th person killed in a little over 9 months.
"Who could be doing this?"
Asked one of the police officers.
This type of crime seems more likely to happen in a large city where there are many people. Not a small, tight knit community.
How is it that 19 people have been brutally murdered, and yet there are never any witnesses?
Something just does not seem right here.
How can one man kill 19 innocent women?
He could be anyone, anywhere."
This was obviously a big problem.
Many people did not feel safe.
Many had moved away, fearing for their safety.
What was once a peaceful town and turned into a nightmare.

***

Maya and Rayna were in school, when Mrs. Neroni walked into the classroom and said,
"Those of you here now are very lucky, for we have a guest with us today. He is Mr. Aleksandar Antonov. Professor of anatomy at Vittoria University.
He is here to talk to you about your future, and to help you make the right decision as to what school to go to, and what career to choose.
She then took a seat on a chair on the right side of the classroom.
He stood before the class to speak.
He was a well-dressed, nice looking man in his mid 40's.
"I am not here today to scare you, but to help you. I know how hard it can be after you have graduated high school. Your life as an adult has official begun. In addition, it is now up to you to decide what you want out of your future.
Some of you may decide not to attend school after you have graduated. Maybe it is because a lack of money, or maybe just a lack of interest. However, those of you with the means to go on to university are in for quite a ride. It is not going to be the non-stop party that many of you have in mind. You have to work very hard, and get good marks to pass. Just like what have done here, only much harder. Nevertheless, it worth it, believe me. Having a career. You will make more money than you will with just a high school education. You can go on to get a good job, and people will respect you, because they will know how hard you worked to get where you are. However, the choice is really up to you. No one can make it for you."

Maya could tell something was wrong with her sister, Rayna. She could hear her heart pounding, and her hands were sweating. She was breathing heavily.
"Rayna!"
She whispered.
"What's wrong with you?
Aren't you feeling well?"
Rayna did not answer her question.
Only asking Maya a question
"Where do you think he is from?"
"Who?"
Asked Maya
"Mr. Antonov!"
Stated Rayna
"You can tell by his accent that he is not from around here."
"Yes, but just listen to his name, Aleksandar Antonov.
That is obviously a very Bulgarian name
Valle Pacifica was mainly an Italian / Bulgarian community in the North Eastern United States.

Mr. Antonov continued talking for another 45 minutes before leaving.
Mrs. Neroni stood up and addressed the class
"Mr. Antonov will be here all week if you have any questions for him.
He had to leave early today for personal reasons.
Class was ending, and everyone was gathering their things for their next class
Rayna went up to Mrs. Neroni, and asked,
"Where is Mr. Antonov from?
I'm just curious."
Mrs. Neroni replied, "I'm not exactly sure where he is from.
I met him years ago.
I used to be a History teacher, but for some reason he decided to change teach anatomy instead.
I am not sure why. He moved away for a long time. He is a very private man.
I do not know much else about him. "
"Okay. Thanks!"
Stated Rayna before walking out of the room.
She got to her next class, looked around, but could not find Maya anywhere.
She asked to be excused from class to look for her.
She searched practically the whole building, but no sign of her.
She began to get worried.
With that killer on the lose she knew it was not safe for her to be out there alone.
She felt terrible for not keeping a close eye on her.
She was too distracted talking to Mrs. Neroni to even notice her leaving.
She was about to give up when she saw Maya under the bleachers making out with her boyfriend Brent.
Rayna was so furious. She about gave herself a heart attack looking for her, wondering what could have happened.
Maya never was the most responsible person.
She was always in trouble for one thing or another.
Rayna, on the other hand was the exact opposite.
Never did anything wrong.
Always got good grades, as where her sister struggled.
They may have been twins, but they were nothing alike.
They even looked different.
Purposely, of course, so they would not be confused for one another.

"Maya, what are you doing?
Class has started."

"Oh, get lost, Rayna.
I am sick of you always ruining everything."
Shouted Maya

"She's right, Maya.
We really should get to class."
Said Brent as he walked off.
"Thanks a lot, Rayna.
Sisters are supposed to be there for each other, but you are only here to get me in trouble all the time.
Not everyone can be as perfect as you are, and not everyone wants to waste the best years of their life as you have.
Nearly 18 years old, and you have never even had a boyfriend.
You are pathetic!
Of course, I can see why no man would come within 30 feet of you.
I hate you!
I cannot wait for you to go off to university so I will not have to see you again.
She then walked off.
Rayna did not know where she was going, but one thing was for sure, it was nowhere near her.
School was over, and Rayna had just gotten home.
She was surprised to see Maya not there.
"Have you seen your sister?"
Asked the mother
"No. We got into a huge fight at school, and she took off.
She's probably just with her friends, avoiding me."
Said Rayna.

"Oh, whatever it is she'll come around.
She is just stubborn. Always has been."
Said the mother.
Hours past by, and Maya still was not home yet.
Rayna was starting to get worried, and began to call all of Maya's friends, but none of them had seen or spoken to her all day.
Not even Brent had seen her.
"Mom, I think something is seriously wrong.
We should call the police."

(To Be Continued)