Who is Superior?

Humans, just look at them, each involved in their own little world; oblivious to everything around them, including me. I was human once, but I’ve strengthened into something more, greater, superior to what I once was. Now I look at these creatures as a wolf looks at a rabbit, or a cheetah at a gazelle. They are nothing more than prey. My quarry has unwittingly wandered within the boundaries of my hunting grounds at the end of Canal Street. The elevated railway line casts a perpetual shadow onto the pedestrian walkway below. It obscures sunlight during the day and blocking the glow from the city’s lights at night; it’s a predator’s paradise. Now I must choose my evening’s entertainment.

This will be the twenty-first time since my rebirth that I have selected a human for my personal fulfillment. Tonight’s diverse candidates include a homeless man tending to the plastic bags that contain all his worldly possessions; a female in her twenties walking briskly, skirt pushed up beyond mid-thigh by a playful breeze; two street musicians trying to earn a meager wage by playing to passersby; and an average guy walking his yip-yip dog. All are the unwitting participants in a contest to become my next and final trophy in this city.

Twenty-one will be the last entry in Volume I, a catalogue chronicling my accomplishments. From here I will move on to a new city and state where I will begin Volume II. Each volume will have twenty-one chapters. Once I complete twenty-one volumes, I will publish them so the world can see what a truly developed being can accomplish. Much has to be completed before I can attain my goal, starting with tonight’s choice.

The homeless man is the easiest target. All I need to do is offer him a little money, maybe some food or booze, and he will follow me to his doom. He will not be a satisfying final chapter.

The girl presents a higher difficulty, but not the most difficult. I would need to attract her attention without creating an atmosphere of fear. She has to see me as harmless, a wounded bird in need of care. Yes, she will be more difficult than the homeless man, but physically much more pleasurable.

Regarding the two musicians, I have never attempted a two-for-one before, but it’s this type of challenge that starts my pulse racing. Maybe after listening to them for a while, I could suggest that a nearby party needs some live entertainment. The partygoers would surely pay to listen to such an accomplished duo. Logistics could be a major problem. Two bodies are tough to transport unless I dismember them, and that’s quite messy.

The most challenging of all is the guy with the dog. He looks to be in better-than-average condition, but not a match for a superior being such as me. The real problem is that damn dog. It’s not large enough to do me harm. One swift kick and the creature is out of the picture. No, it’s the alarm the mutt will sound by yapping incessantly. If I had more time, I’m sure I would find a solution to this problem, but time is not my friend.

Today is a special day. Not only is it the twenty-first of the month, but it’s also the first day of a new moon. A full moon always enamors humans, but it’s the new moon that has special powers, especially when it occurs on the twenty-first. Twenty-one, according to numerology, is an extremely powerful number. It comprises three sevens, extremely powerful indeed. So, tonight when the clock strikes 21:21, I will add the twenty-first and last chapter to Volume I.

No time left for deliberation. My pulse quickens, eyes dart around, scanning the area for anything that could thwart my plan. I make my selection as the minute hand rests on the twenty-first minute of the twenty-first hour. It’s time to act!

Who did I select to grace the pages of chapter twenty-one, you ask? Fair question, and you’ll be able to find the answer in the morning paper. Now it’s time to fulfill my Destiny!

Volume 2

I must admit, the last chapter of Volume 1 was not as satisfying as I had hoped. The universe had given me four subjects to choose from: a homeless man, a girl in her early twenties, two street musicians, and a man walking a dog. All four were acceptable candidates. The homeless man wasn’t my first choice to complete the last chapter, but I’ve learned to accept any gift the universe sends me. Had he not approached me looking for a handout, I would have taken the girl, but it’s all in the past now. The world has moved on and so have I.

My transformation has taken me to yet another level of superiority. In this new city, my prey act more self-assured and are confident in their attributes. This egotistical façade makes them more vulnerable to my alluring mannerisms. When dealing with men, I act confident but subservient to their imagined superior strength and intellect. In their minds, they are obviously the alpha male. But to me, these men are roosters cockily crowing just before I slaughtered them.

Females require a different tactic when luring them in for the kill. I project strength through sensitivity. I’m caring and not afraid to open my soul. Not my advanced superior soul, but the inner me I know they are searching for. It is a mirror image of the approach I use with men, and only someone with my advanced skill set can make it work. Women may unburden themselves to me while sipping a cocktail, but they will know what genuine pain is by the end of the evening.

I have carefully spaced each chapter to occur twenty-one days apart. It is important to use the power of twenty-one. Without this numerical advantage, things would go horribly wrong. Similar to Volume 1, this twenty-first chapter of Volume 2 will be written on the twenty-first day of the month at the start of a new moon. Such an alignment makes me almost giddy with anticipation.

Tonight’s hunting ground is a popular upscale bar next to a large shopping mall. There are ample exits and limited video surveillance. I enter along with a large group of people, blending in as best I can, given my superior aura. There are so many targets it’s hard to settle on who the lucky sacrifice will be. Yes, I said lucky! The person I choose should feel honored to give up their life to such a highly evolved person.

I’m not in a rush. Just as long as the sacrifice takes place during the 21st minute of the 21st hour, I will have succeeded. I had just enough time to take a seat at the bar and order a drink when my selection appeared and took the stool beside me.

“This place is filling up fast,” I said to the stunning brunette with gold-tinged eyes.

“Yes, it is. I was lucky to find this seat. I hope you weren’t saving it for someone?”

“Actually, I think the person I was saving it for just sat down. My name is Adam.”

An unexpected chill permeated the air between them and vanished just as quickly as her golden eyes grew hard, then softened immediately.

“I’m Lilith. Imagine, after all these millennia, Adam and Lilith are together once again. Do you know what I’m talking about?”

“I do. Lilith was Adam’s first wife before Eve. They got the world’s first divorce.”

She gave a slight chuckle. “I’ve never heard it put that way, but yes, that’s right.”

Adam smiled, raised his glass and said, “A toast to the long-lost couple finally reunited.”

They clinked glassed. Their conversation ranged from biblical lore to present day politics, with Adam glancing at the clock over the bar from time to time. As the hands got closer to nine, Adam invited Lilith to go for a walk to a nearby restaurant.

“I’m really enjoying your company, Lilith, but this place is getting noisy and I’m having trouble hearing you. I’ll buy!”

“How can a girl refuse an offer like that?” she replied with a seductive smile.

The couple left the bar arm in arm with Adam steering Lilith toward a dark alley. He explained it was a shortcut to their destination. Surprisingly, Lilith never hesitated. Adam chalked it up to his superior aura. He looked at his watch: 21:21. Now was the time.

He pinned Lilith against the alley wall and withdrew a razor-sharp stiletto.

“I enjoyed your company, Lilith, so I’ll make this as painless as possible, but you are my sacrifice, so I must do this now.”

A broad grin stretched across her face. “You have it all wrong, my dear Adam. I’ve been waiting for this moment since the beginning of time.”

Her fingernails extended into blades, and she drove them into Adam’s gut, twisted her wrist and, with inhuman strength, forced them into his heart. The last thing Adam heard was Lilith’s voice.

“It was so when I told you in the Garden of Eden and it’s true today, I am the superior one.”