Talking to Jack

Tonight, was a night like no other. Tonight, was the night we first spoke.

His lips opened but nothing came out. An agonising silence fell over the room as he looked me up and down. Finally, he licked his lips seductively and inclined his head towards the floor. I think that means I’m in. His mouth closed slowly without uttering a single word. My heart stopped. Is this how he would inform me that I’m acceptable? Moments passed that felt like years. I could feel myself aging in anticipation of what would happen next. I don’t know what the protocol is here. Do I shake his hand or do I give him space? Whatever I do, I don’t want him to know that I am nervous!

He looked straight at me and it almost felt like he looked through me. He held his hands in a fist on the table, but still no words. I don’t know what to say to him. He’s seen so much more than me so what could I say? I know if I say the first word that I’m going to get it wrong. I don’t want to sound uneducated…

After what felt like hours he looked at me and said one simple word, “Fun”. Is this all he had to say? I wanted to probe his mind to find out more but didn’t want to push him away. The distance between us felt like it couldn’t grow anymore but I knew I could. I would never doubt his ability to push me away.

I exhaled with “Fun eh?”

He looked at me with confusion, “Well what else could it be?” He had me there. When you do what you love, what you love has to be fun. After a moment he looked as if he was about to burst with excitement.

He eventually burst. “It is challenging and takes so much focus. It would be difficult for a small mind like yours miss.”

Small minds like mine? Well what does that mean? He continued and I bit my tongue.

“I’m a connoisseur. The best at what I do. No one else could come close to my skill. I am a god, the one and only. They will talk about me for years yet never know who I am. I will forever be INFAMOUS!”

I waited patiently for him to finish before speaking. “Well if you want to be unknown then what should I call you?” He smirked as if this was the question he was waiting for.

“Call me Jack.”

Well at least we have gotten somewhere, at least now I have a name to put to the face.

“Where would you like me to start?” He still smirked as he spoke.

“How about from the start?” I replied. What happened next chilled me to the bone.

He began and could not be stopped.

“Poppy. Dear little poppy. She looked innocent enough wondering around the streets. She should have been at home. A woman of her age should be caring for her husband and children instead of gallivanting around sharing her fruit. It was a warm August night, but she was still scandalously clothed. Strolling down Buck’s Row was the last thing she would do. It was 2 AM and time for me to go to work. I began by sliding my blade across her tender neck. Bursting her skin and turning her into a fountain. I slipped the knife in a circular motion finishing just below her sculpted jaw. Next, I plunged my knife six inches into her body. I ripped her open and stabbed her repeatedly.”

He paused as if to soak in all that he had said. His smile sank deep into my soul. How could one be able to take joy in such horror? His pause did not last for long.

“Miss Chapman, oh now that’s where things really started. Early in the morning before the sun had rose she took her last breath in a backyard close to the streets she walked. Again, the knife sliced her throat so perfectly but still not enough so I slit her throat again. Just for good measure. Next, I took my six-inch blade and opened up her stomach and stole her womanhood. She lay there, the empty vessel she always was. But I didn’t stop there for no one could stop me.”

His laugh sent a shiver down my spine. I grew cold and fearful. In his eyes I saw excitement that I have never seen before. He could only stop telling me the horrors of his past to revel in the glory he felt for them.

“Two whores came next just as the ones before, not that I remember their names. I only remember the damage done. Although, I have given them nicknames. I call number three screamer as she was so much fun. However, I wish it could have lasted longer. One swift slash and she was done. Unfortunately, those lovely screams cut things all too short. Pardon the pun. Her screams called forth others from their beds and so I fled into the night but enough about that, lets talk about number four.”

He seemed almost embarrassed that the great Jack could not complete every horrendous act. He didn’t give me time to question more about who he calls ‘screamer’, he just plunged straight into murder number four.

“Ah yes, number four. My signature first cut worked a treat with this one. I swiftly moved onto her lovely body. Long deep and hard I cut her from breast to thy. I look her kidney and most of her womanhood. This night turned into a wonderful adventure after the rudeness of screamer interrupting my art. Number four helped me greatly so I called her the help.”

These nicknames were horrific. After torturing these women, he then ruined their memories with theses awfully cruel names.

“Well number five was special. She was the last. Well at least the last one I am going to talk about. Again, she was cut and opened. The throat was deeper and longer than before. After two girls in one night, things needed to keep up with the fun. She was emptied like a well. Bucket by bucket, bit by bit. And of course, I took a little souvenir to remind me of the instant she ceased to live. Despite her fate I can truly say her heart is mine.”

I couldn’t be in the room anymore. I couldn’t listen to the evil that stood before me. He laughed with a deep sense of success as I swiftly left in shock and horror. The moment my feet touched ground outside that room my disgust spilt all over the floor. Never again will I sleep peacefully for the images he painted will stay with me forever.