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2024-10-29 19:42:56The morning came rapidly even though the night fought to stay relevant with every pop of settling wood, rustling of tumbling leaves, and shadows that appeared to creep closer with each blink. Jennifer was content and pleased with herself and the mission her and Derrick had accomplished the night before. Her mind raced to digest all the information she had gained once arriving safely back at Derrick's condo, well, her condo as well now one could suppose.
Derrick had been up for an hour or so, "Morning, want some coffee?" His eyes analyzed her face, trying not to react to the tangled hair or rheum coating the corners of her delicate eyes.
With a stretch and a pat on Max's head, "Sure. Black. Thanks." Jennifer arose from the couch, nothing but undergarments on, and not a care in the world. She was not trained to be shy or self-conscious, at least not in moments like this. She dug at both her eyes at the same time to clear the refuse that had settled over night. Only then
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The Christmas Darling Chapter 17
Max sat impatiently by the massive front door as Jennifer closed it behind her. The door, full on metallic, inches thick could detect when someone had the access card with them and knew when to lock down the condo. It was special ordered from North Korea; the importing costs alone had to be five figures.A voice rang out just as Jennifer took her first step off the concrete patio, "This home is armed. Please leave the area." The robotic voice was just one of the Level one features Derrick had installed specifically for his condominium. Why he felt he needed all this safety lock down no one enters equipment was beyond Jennifer as she was accustomed to one doorknob lock and a half functioning deadbolt.This side of town did see much crime either. You know, except for your parents randomly showing up and trying to barge in for God knows what reason. Soon, if she were lucky, Jennifer would know why they were here and possibly a way to get her parents out of her bunne
The Christmas Darling Chapter 18
Derrick arrived home to an inquisitive Jennifer. She had much to share and really needed to get it out of her brain and into someone else's. The hour out in public that Jennifer took the liberty of gifting herself had resulted in many problems, some interesting information, and a possible new friend that could assist with several shady sort of things.Someone had had a very rough day and that someone wore a shirt covered with blood and face painted with somberness and despair. There was a good chance that presenting any information gathered today could result in a mental breakdown and Jennifer would have to do the saving this time.Doing his best to present a h
The Christmas Darling Chapter 19
Jennifer and Derrick met up in the living room with a fire dancing and a low dose of calming music filling the air. Jennifer knew she had something she wanted to discuss, in fact, multiple things, but Derrick thought this was just another lazy night chilling in his super secure condominium.With a light bump of the arm, "D, we need to discuss some things. I have a few questions for you, and I'd like to talk it out to see where we are heading." She clasped her hands as if a prayer were in order. "I have a lot of questions and concerns and I need to confirm with you to ensure we are on the same page."Derrick smiled and nodded his head, "I'm all ears, Jenn. What's the first topic you'd like to address?" He was not trying to be condescending, but it certainly did come off that way.Jennifer took a moment to decide which topic was up first and finally settled on one, "Well, when I was reviewing the footage from the other night, you know, my parents and all, I
The Christmas Darling Chapter 1
PART 1Jennifer glared down at her victim, her eyes hollow and evil, "Mr. Jackson, you are being executed for the kidnapping and murders of Janet Doughtry, seven years old, Erica McDaniels, five years old, and Jonathan Williams, four years old."With each name, Jennifer slowly and deliberately pulled a picture from her hoodie pocket. Each picture correlated to the victim that was previously named. The youth and exuberance in each photograph was heartwarming. The smiles, the joy, the futures, all of it compiled into one heaping stinking tower of soul devouring misery.Mr. Jackson did attempt to whimsically rebut the accusations. The guilt was smeared all over his chubby face. A single tear snaked down his cheek as his neck craned to peer up at Jennifer.There was nothing he could do to dissuade her, no amount of money, (and he had millions), nothing could save him from the reaper. It was all over, life as he knew it, over in the blink of an eye
The Christmas Darling Chapter 2
The morning came quickly, eyes close and in an instant the night has escaped into oblivion and the new day has started. Jennifer woke to heavy tired eyes and a sore aching body, on top of that, a half empty crystal wine glass resting sideways on her lap. Luckily, jeans were plentiful in her wardrobe and no time would be lost washing this pair.The San Diego sun fluttered through the blinds with each ray seemingly pounding on Jennifer's blue eyes. The pain was worth the celebration of a successful mission, it always was. This being the eighth time, it had become a tradition of sorts. A reminder that no-good deed goes unpunished.A little secret that most people do but do not cherish is falling asleep with the television on, you always get to wake up to something new and foreign to you. In this instance, the morning news was on. The reporters looked like dolls, plastered with makeup and hairspray, blasting from the television with a vivid image.The female reporte
The Christmas Darling Chapter 3
Our Christmas Darling gathered her surroundings after the phone call with her aging Mother. It was a jolt to the system even though she insisted that that chapter of her life was closed. It was time to start scanning for the next despicable person.She exited her apartment, trotted down the staircase, waved at the adorable toddler playing in the common area, and walked to the corner store. It was a dilapidated building with a leaking roof and a significant ant problem, but it was the closest and most convenient for her.She entered and no one batted an eye. A woman in a black hoodie, hair pulled back, jeans still stained with that delicious Pinot Noir just did not draw the attention of the group of men gathered around the video poker machine. As horned up as they may have been, she just was not appealing at the moment. That is exactly as she liked it.The men were engaged in a majorly deep conversation about tits and asses and all the things they would do to the
The Christmas Darling Chapter 4
The morning was eager apparently as it came very quickly. Things seem to work that way when you are mentally exhausted. Nevertheless, it was time for the Christmas Darling to rise from her despair and get on the hunt for the next contestant on the biggest Monster in the San Diego area.Before she spread and filtered the papers, removing sports and the comics, Jennifer decided to get some cleaning done. Her concern was not the piles of clothes taking root around the living space or the leaning tower of dishes ever growing from her dual sinks, the blade needed love and care. It had taken its eighth soul and needed to be inspected, stripped, washed, and reassembled to perfection. It had to be ready for the next kill, even if that event was months away.Jennifer shoved the pile of close from the counter to the floor ensuring the blade did not fall with them. She laid the sports and comic sections of the papers that she had pulled earlier out on the counter and went to retr
The Christmas Darling Chapter 5
Months have passed as our Christmas Darling waited for the trial to begin; the agonizing droning of it all was making life rather tedious. Day in and day out, eyes open, eyes closed. Jennifer knew that patience was the key to her success and that successful key was beginning to run out.The trial of Jeffrey James Dobbins was moved up from its original start date, this was the defense's idea. When the District Attorney threw a fit, the word is that a sizable donation was sent his way which led to an eager agreement. This was turning out exactly as it needed to for Jennifer.With less time to prepare, the prosecution's case would be rushed and messy. Witnesses would be trained and retrained but the expeditiousness of it all would eat at them and make things very difficult to remember when the defense began digging into them.Following the news everyday had grown depressing knowing the results before they were going to happen. Ho
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Chapter 19
Jennifer and Derrick met up in the living room with a fire dancing and a low dose of calming music filling the air. Jennifer knew she had something she wanted to discuss, in fact, multiple things, but Derrick thought this was just another lazy night chilling in his super secure condominium.With a light bump of the arm, "D, we need to discuss some things. I have a few questions for you, and I'd like to talk it out to see where we are heading." She clasped her hands as if a prayer were in order. "I have a lot of questions and concerns and I need to confirm with you to ensure we are on the same page."Derrick smiled and nodded his head, "I'm all ears, Jenn. What's the first topic you'd like to address?" He was not trying to be condescending, but it certainly did come off that way.Jennifer took a moment to decide which topic was up first and finally settled on one, "Well, when I was reviewing the footage from the other night, you know, my parents and all, I
- The Christmas Darling
Chapter 18
Derrick arrived home to an inquisitive Jennifer. She had much to share and really needed to get it out of her brain and into someone else's. The hour out in public that Jennifer took the liberty of gifting herself had resulted in many problems, some interesting information, and a possible new friend that could assist with several shady sort of things.Someone had had a very rough day and that someone wore a shirt covered with blood and face painted with somberness and despair. There was a good chance that presenting any information gathered today could result in a mental breakdown and Jennifer would have to do the saving this time.Doing his best to present a h
- The Christmas Darling
Chapter 17
Max sat impatiently by the massive front door as Jennifer closed it behind her. The door, full on metallic, inches thick could detect when someone had the access card with them and knew when to lock down the condo. It was special ordered from North Korea; the importing costs alone had to be five figures.A voice rang out just as Jennifer took her first step off the concrete patio, "This home is armed. Please leave the area." The robotic voice was just one of the Level one features Derrick had installed specifically for his condominium. Why he felt he needed all this safety lock down no one enters equipment was beyond Jennifer as she was accustomed to one doorknob lock and a half functioning deadbolt.This side of town did see much crime either. You know, except for your parents randomly showing up and trying to barge in for God knows what reason. Soon, if she were lucky, Jennifer would know why they were here and possibly a way to get her parents out of her bunne
- The Christmas Darling
Chapter 16
The morning came rapidly even though the night fought to stay relevant with every pop of settling wood, rustling of tumbling leaves, and shadows that appeared to creep closer with each blink. Jennifer was content and pleased with herself and the mission her and Derrick had accomplished the night before. Her mind raced to digest all the information she had gained once arriving safely back at Derrick's condo, well, her condo as well now one could suppose.Derrick had been up for an hour or so, "Morning, want some coffee?" His eyes analyzed her face, trying not to react to the tangled hair or rheum coating the corners of her delicate eyes.With a stretch and a pat on Max's head, "Sure. Black. Thanks." Jennifer arose from the couch, nothing but undergarments on, and not a care in the world. She was not trained to be shy or self-conscious, at least not in moments like this. She dug at both her eyes at the same time to clear the refuse that had settled over night. Only then
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Chapter 15
The vigilante justice duo rode the rest of the way in silence. The silence wasn't awkward, nor was it tense, it was merely silence. They both knew there was something to discuss but neither wanted to ruin the bliss of a successful mission with arduous banter about something that may not be a horrible idea.Jennifer tugged on Derrick's long-sleeved shirt about four blocks from his place, "Let me out here, just in case they're watching us." An increased paranoia had entered the lives of the Christmas Darling Duo, especially with the surprise Christmas roadblock.Who's to say the SDPD had not decided to tail Jennifer, and anyone associated with her, in the hopes of catching the slightest of mistakes. Plan for the worse, hope for the best. That was the new motto the duo lived by. No reason to take extra chances when things are under such heavy scrutiny.Derrick lugged the ambulance to the curb and gave Jennifer a look of concern, "Jen, if you're not there in t
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Chapter 14
Derrick gripped the wheel of the ambulance with white knuckles. He was not used to the tension and excitement of eliminating someone that had made the Christmas Darling's list.Sure, he removed Mr. Dobbins from the realm of the living, but that was more of a gesture of appreciation to Jennifer than it was a purely balance restoring bloodletting.Jennifer casually looked over and noticed how stiff and ridged he was, "Derrick, take in some oxygen buddy. Calm yourself. You're going to have a stroke." She was as calm, the type of calm you would have during your weekly yoga class at the local studio.With a deep inhale, his belly pushing out touching the steering wheel, "I'm trying. Adrenaline is a hard thing to control. Do not worry about me. By the way, it wouldn't be a stroke; it'd be a heart attack." He glanced over with quick big eyes and flashed a half-assed smile.Looking ahead, the road spotted with light and lightly coated with snow,
- The Christmas Darling
Chapter 13
PART 2Just when you thought the tale of our Christmas Darling had drawn to a close, here we are again. Together, like a happy loving family. The reason why we have family; when you desperately need someone to rely on and friends or acquaintances just will not cut it; family can always be the wind in the sails, righting the ship twisting it towards logical solutions and happy nostalgic memories.A pale, shivering man lay out on the concrete floor of a soon to be manufacturing center. His face was battered, like how a person that had been mauled by a large angry dog would look.The skin around his eyes burst from the internal bleeding, two beautiful blood grenades blossomed and exploded in unison. His suffering made it all worth more, the pain and agony on his face created a lustful feeling in our Christmas Darling.The whimpering man reached for his nose and released a hellish scream when his brain pieced together the fact that it had disappea
- The Christmas Darling
Chapter 12
Detective Phillips led the team into the house. His stance was like the head rooster in the hen house. The fact he was able to make it to Virginia from San Diego in such an expeditious way combined with the fact that Jennifer's parents had turned on her made him feel like a God among men. Grumpy stood beside him, same scrunched face, same always hungry look, a gut that ensured he would not be able to see his genitalia when taking a shower. Maybe that is why he always had a coldhearted demeanor; the world may never know. Jennifer's Mother and Father stood in the living room practically with their hands out expecting that one hundred-thousand-dollar reward payday. They would soon find out that was not the way this process worked. Betraying your own flesh and blood for a little coin, coin that would be taxed and delayed at all costs. The city governments had a way of makin
- The Christmas Darling
Chapter 11
The Taxi pulled up with a yelp from the brakes in front of Jennifer's childhood home. If she had taken a picture of the house when she left at eighteen and held it up to what she was seeing now, even though it was eleven at night, the entire area looked the same. The shingle on the lower front of the two-story house's roof was still flipped up and not performing its duties as required. Her childhood bedroom window still had the same fogginess to it, all the stickers she had applied and peeled off left residue all over.The front yard was plastered with hard wet snow as were the pitiful looking bushes that outlined the porch, each side flanked the stairs and made the area feel significantly smaller than it was. Jennifer gently tapped the weathered rose shaped door knocker and waited patiently for someone to welcome her into the house.It was not long before she could see her Mother through the decorative glass at the top of the solid oak door. She was stumbling down the
