CHAPTER ELEVEN
His beautiful specimen was waiting. The collector felt his palms grow damp as he watched the window.
She would be there, any moment. He would be able to take her. He had the technique down to perfection.
His heart pounded at the thought. He felt a trickle of sweat roll down his spine.
He checked his watch. He'd been waiting for an hour and a half, but that was fine. He would wait all night, if necessary.
However, he knew he wouldn't have to. He'd observed her habits over the past weeks, and he knew that before too long, he would see her at the window. She'd be sneaking out of the home to meet her boyfriend. She'd be looking beautiful, dressed in figure-hugging clothes. He would watch as she crept through the backyard. Most likely, she would be smiling.
And he would be there, ready to snatch her.
Without a doubt she would have her phone with her, and he would need to dispose of that correctly.
He checked his watch again, feeling anxiety flare. She was already late. That wasn't like her. Perhaps something had happened?
"What is the matter?" he asked out loud, voicing the words in his soft tones.
He ran a hand through his brown hair. Average color hair. Average height.
He was ordinary in every way except the one he wasn't. In that way, he was extraordinary.
He had a beautiful collection. A live one. At present, he had two specimens in it. Both young - under twenty years of age. Both gorgeous.
One was his treasure, the first he'd taken, and he thought he would keep her forever.
The other was a recent acquisition that excited him and made his senses flare. He couldn't wait to watch her, to tune into the hidden camera and see her in her basement room.
Regrettably, he'd had to dispose of two in his collection recently, which was always sad. He took no joy in that step. In fact, he always felt a deep sadness when he knew it was time.
But it was necessary to keep a tight rein on their quality and behavior.
He checked his watch again, feeling the blend of impatience and excitement that was now familiar to him. She should be at the window by now. He needed her.
With a pang, he hoped she wasn’t going to anger him immediately by being late. But he told himself firmly that now was not the time for anger. Going into this operation, he needed to be calm. He would have his moment. He would have his prize.
But he needed to work with the utmost caution. His techniques were the reason he never left any evidence. He was careful. Very careful.
He always wore gloves - even now, as he watched for her through the window.
Suddenly, the window slid up, and the girl appeared. He held his breath, as he always did when he saw them before the capture. She was perfect. Perfect in every way. She had a classic, oval face, with large eyes, a slightly upturned nose, and thick, dark hair.
She was slim, but with an appealing body, and long legs.
What a beautiful addition she would be.
He felt his heart beat faster, and a thin sheen of sweat broke out on his brow.
Although the girl was unaware, he had been stalking her for weeks, getting an idea of her schedule, carefully planning where the best place to take her would be. That was why he knew that he could never be caught. His technique was too perfect.
Knowing he would always be ahead of the game made him feel so powerful.
She climbed out and looked around. Her face looked alive with joy and cunning. She thought she was going to sneak out unseen, but she had no idea that he was waiting.
He let out a breath. What a catch this would be! Undoubtedly, she was his most perfect specimen yet.
She walked across the grass, and he heard her soft, swishing footsteps. She hadn't seen him. What an exciting moment it would be when she did. Of course, there wouldn't be time for an introduction.
This next step had to happen quickly and brutally. He couldn't afford a scene, or for his new specimen to escape.
There she was, walking toward him.
But he knew he would be invisible to her, because he was crouching in the shadows, and had a black jacket on, and she would not be expecting him. All the more of a surprise, he thought.
His heart was pounding even more now. This was his moment. This was when he made his move.
He felt a sense of power. He was not Mr. Average Man. He was unique and strong. Every girl he took was worth it, no matter how long he kept them for.
Shaking his head briefly, he felt a surge of satisfaction at the fact that he was the master of his fate, but also, now, of theirs. The capture was one of the most intense moments in the whole process, and it was about to happen now.
She was getting closer and closer, and he felt his muscles tense, ready to spring. But he didn’t make the mistake of showing himself to her too soon. Only when she was a foot away, he moved out of the shadows.
"Hi," he said, in a soft, calm voice.
Her eyes went wide, as she turned to face him. Of course, with the hood pulled down low on his face and the mask on, she couldn’t see his features. Couldn’t see his grin of tension and excitement. But the mask was a necessary precaution.
She opened her mouth, and he could see her smile disappear. Her eyes were brimming with terror.
In that moment, he saw how beautiful she looked. Her dark, long hair framed her face, and he could see her lovely, pale skin. The moonlight made it shine. Her eyes were bright with fear.
He felt a rush of power and a surge of exhilaration.