True Love

June 19, 2010
I saw the most beautiful girl today. She was at the park with her dog, and she shined brighter than the sun. I know I don’t have a chance with a creature like that, but just the sight of something so heavenly lifted my spirits a little. It’s so lonely sometimes being me. I can only hope that someday, someone like that will find me worthy of their affection. Or anyone a feel like every day I spend alone is one more foot I fall into this pit of darkness. I can hear the days and weeks creep up on me at night. Watching all the happy couples in the park and around town stabs the knife in a little deeper. They mock me with their fake smiley hearts on their sleeves. But this girl was different. She held herself above the crowd, like an angel. I hope I get the honor of seeing her again.

June 20, 2010
Walked around town today, but my angel was nowhere to be found. Maybe she works somewhere around here. It seems like everywhere I go, they stare at me. It’s like they know how I feel inside. I wish they would keep their minds on their own business. I have nothing else to say right now.

June 21, 2010
I saw her again! She’s like a beacon of love through my darkness. I wonder if she knows how beautiful she really is. She was alone again, so maybe… no. Guys like me don’t have a chance at that. I wish she knew how much I appreciate the sight of her though. Not even in a purely physical way eigth4er. I feel like I can see her kindness like a shawl over her obvious beauty. I wanted to sit and watch her all day, but I didn’t want her to think I was creepy. She’s like a work of art in a museum though. A beautiful kind of crash that I can’t tear my eyes away from.

June 24, 2010
I know it’s been a few days, but today was momentous. Fantastic. Life changing. I was out enjoying the nice weather when I decided to stop in a coffee shop for a snack. There she was. She was sitting at a table all alone, sipping a tall coffee drink and reading a book. She was still alone, and I felt like this was finally my chance. Maybe the third time is the charm, and this was fate telling me to take a chance, go for it. And who am I to argue with chance? I asked her if the seat across from her was taken, and she looked up with me the most gorgeous brown eyes I have ever seen. I could drown in those eyes, and never even consider coming up for a breather of air. I couldn’t even hear her reply over the pounding of my heart. I took her gesture as a yes though, and sat down across from her. I was shaking so much that I almost spilled my drink all over myself. She didn’t seem to notice, or maybe she was just being considerate. She must be used to that kind of reaction. I couldn’t do it though. I sat in silence, stealing the occasional glance her way. We met eyes once, and she gave me a slight smile, enough to send my pulse skyrocketing and make my hands go clammy. I managed to smile back as I got up from the table. UI had to leave before I suffocated. Maybe she’ll be there again tomorrow. I have a new reason to wake up in the morning.

June 26, 2010
I spent yesterday at the café with no sight of my princess. I’m glad I went back today though, because I think my life has just changed for the better. This can’t possible be true. I’m still pinching myself, but… she talked to me today. We talked. She treated me like a normal person, even smiling a few times and flirting a little. I kept looking around for a hidden camera, but she seemed genuinely nice. She’s a college student. The book she was reading the other day was for a class. I managed to keep my cool and talk to her without embarrassing myself too much. Could this be real? Am I not destined to spend the rest of my life alone? Maybe there is something in me to love after all. She said she would be at the park again tomorrow. I said I would see her there. I think I am in heaven.

June 27, 2010
Her name is Angela. What better name for an angel fallen from heaven to save my soul on earth? We met at the park today and had a picnic. She told me more about herself, and her life. She seemed sad though, and when I finally dared to ask, she told me about her boyfriend. As soon as this word came out of her mouth, my heart sank like a rock. My body felt cold. She continued to tell me, however, about how scared she was of him, and how much she wanted to leave him. He controls her, and treats her like dirt. I could barely contain my outrage. Who could treat this priceless jewel like anything less than the treasure she is? He must be a real asshole. I hope I never meet him. She likes me. She said so. I want to help her so bad.

June 28, 2010
Angela showed up her tonight. She said she saw my name on the receipt at the coffee shop and Google searched me. When I opened the door I almost cried. She has a black eye. That sonofabitch hit her. If I knew where he was, I would kill him with my bare hands. She cried and asked if she could stay here. I know I’ve only knows her for a couple of days, but how could I say no to that? I was a gentleman though. She is downstairs on the couch, and I am keeping my dreams and fantasies safely behind my bedroom door. She is vulnerable right now. I would never take advantage of her. I think I love her.

June 29, 2010
Angela wanted to go home today. She said her boyfriend had been drinking, and didn’t know what he was doing. She said they would work things out, and she didn’t want to make him madder by not coming come. I convinced her to stay a little longer. I told her she didn’t deserve to be scared, ever. She is going to stay here with me tonight, then call her family in the morning. We sat on the couch almost all day. I went out to get her coffee at one point, but mostly we sat and talked. We held hands and watched television. She told me about her favorite movies, and I stroked her silky soft hair while she cried and told me about the abuse she has been dealing with for so long. She is starting to care about me, I can feel it.

July 2, 2010
These past couple days have been amazing. Angela decided to leave the asshole, and she says she wants to be with me. She sees past who I appear to be, and is getting to know the real me. I can’t believe that only a couple weeks ago I wanted to die of loneliness. That black pit I was living in seems so far away now. I made a promise to her that I would never let him, or anyone else, hurt her again. She is mine to love and protect. My heart could not be fuller.

July 9, 2010
If this is what heaven feels like I never want to leave. Angela and I spend all day talking, cuddling, loving, and learning each other’s souls. This would have been the perfect day, if not for the visit I got this afternoon. Angle was upstairs sleeping when he came. I was getting lunch ready when I heard the knock at the door. He seemed like such a nice normal guy until he handed me a flier with a picture of my love on it. He said she was missing, and if I knew anything that could help find her, there was a reward involved. I lied and said I had never seen her as cold fingers of fear and rage crawled down my spine. This must be him. The man that hurt her so badly. I told her about it when he left, and she said he was trying to find her to drag her back home. She made me promise never to leave her, and never to tell him where she was. She said he would kill her if he ever found her.

July 10, 2010
Angela is really freaked out about her ex looking for her. She wants to run as far away as possible. She should know by now that I would go to then ends of the earth to be with her and protect her. I helped her pack the few things she had brought with her, and we made out plans. We’re going to wait until its dark out and he has given up on posting fliers and asking door to door about her for the night. I know a place not too far from here that we can hide for now. No one will ever find us and br4eak up this wonderful thing that has come into my life. She saved me, and it’s my turn to return the favor. I waited my whole life to feel this way, and I can never go back to who I was before. This is true love. True love.

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Excerpt from newspaper article in the Jessup County Tribune, July 11, 2010

A shocking story unfolded in the late hours last night as police uncovered a gruesome scene at a house on Fairview Drive in Mansville. Police were dispatched to the house after a neighbor reported hearing what sounded like a gunshot around 11:20 PM last night. When officers arrived, they found the body of Daniel Browning, a 27 year old man living there alone. They said it looked like a suicide, but the real horror was what they discovered in the next room. Officer Andrew Jansen was quoted as saying it was the saddest thing he had even seen as a police officer. Seated in a chair in the living room was the body of 22 year old Tracy Patterson. Ms. Patterson was reported missing by her family on June 29. She was a student at a local community college and living at home with her parents. Preliminary results from the coroner confirm that she has been dead at least a week. Cause of death is presumed to be a severe blow to the head with an unknown object. Although the body did not show signs of mutilation, police are saying it appears that she had been moved around quite frequently post mortem, and there are signs that browning may have had sexual contact with her after her death. A journal found in the young man’s bedroom confirms suspicions that he was having an imaginary relationship with her, and may have stalked her before abducting her. Police are unsure if the injury resulting in her death was intentional or not. A friend of Ms. Patterson told police that Tracy had felt like she was being watched a few days before her disappearance, and even mentioned a strange man sitting by her and watching her in a coffee shop. Police are continuing their investigation into just what happened and why, but for now this remains a tragedy that the community will remember for a long time. The Patterson family is urging other young women to be careful, especially when walking around alone. It’s a sad but true fact that the scariest stories come true, even in small friendly towns. More details will be released to the public as the police continue the investigation. A memorial service will be… (cont. pg. 2)

The End