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Breathe– Chapter 34
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He leaned more heavily on his hands that were pressed flat along each side of the bold, black letters. With each reading of the headline, increasing pressure blocked the flow of blood and the color drained from his hands.
He curled his fingers and the padded tabletop resisted for just a moment before giving way allowing the jagged material to be clenched in a tight fist.
His throat tightened and his breathing became more shallow and ragged as he continued to read about him, about his life, about his state of mind. Insane, the words said.
And then he saw it. It looked innocent enough. A simple chart comparing him to those who had come before. He clenched his teeth and began to tremble as the raw data told him the same story it had told the reporter.
His eyes darted across the words and numbers as he realized he wasn’t as prolific as the Green River Killer, as intelligent as Ted Bundy, or as much a media darling as the South Hill Rapist.
Not only were his feats considered ordinary when compared to more infamous serial killers, he wasn’t even the most accomplished serial criminal mind to call Seattle home.
Underachiever. His eyes finally came to rest on this single word from a University of Washington behavioral psychologist.
Releasing his grip on the table top, he realized the sweat on his hands was now mixed with blood from small cuts caused by clutching the torn material so tightly in his closed fists.
Holding up his palm he watched the blood and sweat drip slowly from his hand onto the offending newsprint. His eyes grew wide when the paper absorbed the moisture and the ink began to slowly fade.
He reached a trembling finger towards the words printed so clearly in black and white. As he touched the wet ink it began to smear until the letters were no longer legible.
He still had it he thought. He still had the power to change the news.
He firmly rubbed his fingers back and forth until more and more words blended into a large, dirty smudge.
His pace quickened as he realized he could get rid of it all; the words, the headline, the crude sketch of his face, the chart.
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Sox1,Oh so happy to see your name back on the site. And am very happy to hear that you are fully recovered and ready to conclude this tantalizing thriller.This piece has been a joy to read and beautifully constructed and crafted. Your award is truly deserved.I applaud the judges for their insightful and recognition of this magnificent masterpiece.As for the story, I love the way in which the news story has hit the Butcher right between the eyes. And he never even saw it coming, just show that an expert hunter will trace their prey and wait for the perfect shot. This is not about injuring; this is about the clean kill. This part has taken a devilish turn as Butcher directs his anger at his own family. Wonderful writing conveys the frustration, anger and confusion caused leading to this ugly reality.To balance this against Tina’s desperation for her touchstone was genius! The love and need shows how much these characters dote on each other and satisfy their wants.Much appreciation and gratitude for your return.Your Loyal Fan.
Congrats on the award!!!! It was great to see that you posted have missed your story thank you!!
Yes your back – thanks for posting. Congratulations on the award – it’s well deserved. I’m glad to hear you are okay and hope to see another chapter soon…
Welcome back… and congrats on your award… it is well deserved… i hope bette knows what she is doing taking tina back… and that bastard ..so now he killed his own wife… i want bette to get him but i don’t want this story to end… please continue as soon as you can
Aww, man, that was heartwrenching. It must really pain them, to be apart. Heck, I’m an outsider, and I’m hurting for them. No matter how long the break, it’s amazing how you manage to pick right back up with the same intensity as when you left. Hope all your parts are back to a functioning, less painful state. It’s great to have you back, and be able to continually enjoy this wonderfully intriguing (sp) story.
First off Congratulations on your award!!!!!Sox, it has been a long time since you have written and I have commented. I have missed your words sorely. I am glad to hear that you are healed and back to your pasttime. Thank you for continuing the journey and on with my comments:- I must say, it seems that the perfect storm is brewing here. Tina wants to return to the crime scene, Detective Bodner is entering the unknown, and Mrs. Butcher is losing her breath. Not sure what to make of this collection of events.- Seems like the butcher’s reign is coming to an end. It is extremely difficult to kill your wife in your own house (no less) and not get caught. Remind me again is Butcher junior away at school or still living at home?- Looking forward to completing this journey with you.
IS it snowing??? let me look outside!!! nope really cold but no snow. All I can do is rub my hands together and wait for the next chapter, I can feel the story building and I can’t wait
fergz – im the foof here!!!!soxy baaaabbbby – am grateful that you posted. it was a wonderful treat. my hands get clamy and keep rubbing them on my thighs. what a sicky he is. and you write him so well for such a nice woman. thank you for the gift.
Yay, your back!!! So happy ot hear it was writers cramp (it cant be a block as you have written) rather than serious injury!! i also cant believe i forgot to say ‘congrats’ in my e-mail to you, throughly deserved award.I cant wait until the next installment…. currently turning blue waiting….
Sox is back!!! (insert happy dance here) :) Oh, I’m so happy that you are well and have updated us on this excellent story. Congrats on the award, and I hope you have the time and motivation to share more of the story. ‘YAY’ again!
Oh my god you’re back — yipeeeee — and what a wonderful Thanksgiving present. Honestly, you have been sorely missed my anonymous friend. I hope you are on the mend and life is beginning to return to your rythm. Oh, and lets mention your award – an award so wonderfully deserved – a round of applauds from your NYC friend. Now back to your story – its simply amazing. Your wordsmenship, your style, your scene specdic knowledge is impressive. And all of these literary strengths combine to make on compelling storyline which is being thoroughly enjoyed be me and obviously so many more. PlZ, if your hands are up to it, post ASAP. Maybe it will help if i tell you that my birthday is this coming Sunday 11/27. I’ll be looking for my present. No all kidding aside – so good to have you back and to be able reengage with Breath, This story rocks!
First, I would like to congratulate you one your award, it is certainly well-earned. I really appreciate these awards because it gives me a chance to read new authors I have not yet read. Honestly, I had never read Breathe until I click on the link from the award page. What a treat for me! I got to do what I think is the most fun…I was able to read through thirtysome chapters without having to wait for the next posting. I did the same thing for Psued’s Plan B story, but now I have to wait for each new posting. Well, I am glad that you are feeling better. I really like your story. Thanks for all the time and effort you put into it…it is much appreciated!!! So now I wait………….
Sox- May I join the chorus and sing your praises and say you deserved the award – the judges can tell a winner when they see one. I am so glad you are posting again and hope this means you are feeling much much better. I always hate the chapters when we have to listen to the monsters thoughts and feelings but of course that is central to the story, hoping that the murderer doesn’t do in Bette’s partner and that they catch him very soon so that Tina and Bette are safe at last. Then you can show us how good you are at connecting these two without the danger.
Wow Sox so good to see you back, and big congratulations on the award, you so deserved it
Sox, thanks for the good read and congratulations. I have just joined your loyal readers. Am all caught up and looking forward to your next chapter.
Sox, I just catched up with your story and I absolutely love it. You’re a fabulous writer. Congrats on your award and I’m so looking forward to the next chapter, please post soon!
sox….my heart skipped a beat when i logged in and saw your posting. i am so delghted to see you back and hopefully fit and well………i will go back and read your post now…..have a good sleep and once again thanks. oh, congrats on the award.
Good to have u back! I missed reading your story……I loved the lutefisk part. I’m from Finland and it is a tradition that we eat lutefisk every Christmas. Have you tried it?
Oh my god Sox!!!…You have no idea how good it is to see you back. Congratulations on the award. I hope Bette doesn’t end up regretting leaving Det Bodner to complete that last interview on his own.
It’s so great to have you back – and fully fit and well I hope! I have an awful feeling that Det. Bodner is in grave danger. The award was well deserved – congratulations!
CONGRATSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS to you Sox……….WOW! I thought I hit pay dirt when I saw that you had posted; welcome back!!!!!!!!!…….It goes without saying – another chapter that kept me on the edge of my seat…..Please post again soon; I cant tell you how much you’ve been missed!!
Imagine my excitement to log on and see a new chapter from one of my favorite stories!! You’ve been missed. Looking forward to the upcoming chapter. Great to have you back and congratulations on the award!
Welcome back Sox! Congrats on your award. It was most deserved!!! Thanks for the great chapter, and your promise for more soon.
Thank the Goddess above! You’re okay and back writing. Great chapter, as usual. And the award was well deserved.
Glad you are back, have really missed your story, look forward to next up and coming chapter. Congradulations on your award.
Sox great to see you back..It’s funny I had just re-read the entire chapters yesterday wondering when you were coming back to finish..Love this story and as always you have done a great job please continue soon..Thanks
I just about peed my pants..I was so excited to see you! Albeez..honey..get up you have to read this. what a wonderful day this will be. Thank you for coming back to us. get some rest and hope we see you again soon.
Amazing. After all this time, just the sight of your story ‘Breathe’ and I loose my breath. Great post and I do hope that things are ok now with you….really missed you story and hope you can continue. Congrats on the award.
He’s gonna chop up bodner!!! Sorry, hey thankyou for posting again, have been waiting patiently…now if this is getting to the end I want you to promise a sequel regardless of the outcome, I really love reading what you write. Hope your feeling better, those quads can be quite nasty, that’s why I stick with my Ranger…post soon, tks
OK. I read it and you still amaze me! Is he going to be at the apartment? I hope Bette gets to be the one that shoots him. albeez…where the foof are you?
A new chapter of Breathe! Glad that you’re back and congratulations on the award–you deserve it! As always, well written and keeping us in suspense!
Bad feeling about Bettes partner!! so glad you’re back, your award is well deserved!
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OMG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!OMG!!!!!!!!!! your back i really missed this story I hope your feeling well. Damn he killed his wife did not see that coming do let that guy screw up the interview. OMG!!!!!OMG!!!!!!!!OMG!!!!!!!!!! your back post soon
I am so glad you are back. I have wondered about this story every day and was hoping you would come back and post. I love this story and hope you will continue posting. Thanks!
So good to have you back Sox! Hope all is mending nicely.
Hey Sox…I am still smiling after seeing your name again. You did it! And believe me, this chapter was all you…classic Sox1. I knew you could do it…way to go Sox. Excellent as always.
hey… welcome back! glad to see you up and posting again. Hope things are getting better for you and indeed you are popular! excellent as always.
yeah!!!!!!!!!! you are back!!!!!!!!!!!hey..congrats on the award..you soooo deserved it…!! glad you could post..
Yippee! Sox is back! Thank you! Great chapter.
Sox I was so excited when I logged in and saw that you had posted…Congratulations oin your award you soooo deserved it…I hope Bodner doesn’t get it to much trouble..I hope your feeeling better from your accident look forward for the next chapter..Have a wonderful THANKSGIVING…
hey there- read your entire story last week and wanted to let you know how much i am enjoying it. the award is clearly deserved as this story is fabulous. thanks for it and am looking forward to more.
i’m really happy to see you back with another great chapter…congratulations on your award, you absolutely deserve it…i hope det. Bodner will be fine but this crazy butcher killed his wife and it could easily make him innocent…i wonder though if he would kiil her if she didn’t found him like that accidentaly? but it happened before, killer kills someone close to him to take away suspisions from him….please keep bette and tina safe and together as often as possible….thanks for staying with us, i hope all is well with you and your family…awesome story
Kaplan thought by calling the reporter that he was saving lives, when in fact his actions cost the life of the killer’s wife. I doubt that was the sort of legacy that he wanted to leave. I loved how you illuminated that the emotional blood and sweat that the killer poured into his ‘art’ were now the very tangible elements that were undoing the written account of his deeds. Very telling on so many levels.By killing his wife, does the killer not make himself more vulnerable to discovery – or is his arrogance clouding his judgment? Is he going to hide the body? Isn’t someone going to wonder where she is?I would think that it would be very disturbing to Tina to feel as if the killer had effectively vanquished her by not feeling as if she ever existed. You can become careless when you feel that sort of disassociation.I know that it seems like Bodner may be going into the killer’s house…but is that really the case, or just a red herring? Maybe if it’s true, the wife really did suspect he was the killer much sooner than her untimely death and called the police? Or maybe Bodner will be talking to the Bauer family and discover clues that will lead him to believe that the killer really does live in that neighborhood. Always a pleasure to see you, Sox. For a minute there I was afraid that I was going to have to talk to your husband about coming up there afterall.Congratulations on the award, too. Much deserved.
What’s going on, Soxy. I am one of your new fans who read the story because of your award. I think I read a chapter here and there, but was not too interested in the storyline. I’m SO glad I gave your story another chance – it is FABULOUS. Glad you are feeling better! Love, T.
OMG he killed his wife too!