by Shane Migliavacca

The shredder grumbled as it greedily devoured the old report. Abby Quin glanced at the clock on the wall. Fifteen minutes till the end of the workday. The thought of tonight made her heart beat faster. Only a few more reports to shred and she was free.

“Plans tonight?” Kate, her coworker asked. Her voice was stained like her teeth from years of smoking. “A Valentine's hookup maybe?”

“Not me.” Abby smiled, brushing a rogue wisp of blonde hair from her face. “Curling up with a good book is as ambitious as my Valentine's plans get.”

“Probably for the best, hon, all the crazy out there these days.”

Abby fed another report to the hungry paper god. Her eyes flicked up to the clock, a few more minutes.

“What about you? Seeing anybody special?” She asked. Best to be polite. Make conversation.

“Naw. Lying low myself this year. Not in the mood for any heartbreak this year.” Kate sighed. “Well, I’m getting out of here. Tomorrow’s another day.”

Abby pushed the last paper into the shredder, just in time. Five, time to go home. Cooper had dumped a whole box of papers on her desk after lunch.

“They have to be shredded today.” He’d had said. “Even if you have to stay late.”

Fuck you, she’d thought.

Abby had busted her ass all afternoon to get them done. Nothing could derail tonight.

She clocked out, then shut her computer down. Everybody else had left already. The office took on an ominous feel when there was nobody else around.

Abby took one last look at the office, before turning the lights off.

“Five by Five.” She reassured herself. Her computer was off. The lights were off. Her work was done. “Five by Five.”

Abby took the subway home. Finding a nice empty little corner to sit and read as she waited for her stop.

Further down the car, a young man held a heart shaped box of chocolates. He smiled wistfully out the window. A few seats away, a skinny bald man sat playing a mini xylophone. The rest of the car ignored him as he blissfully played his tune, seemingly in his own world.

The city was getting weirder and weirder. Abby thought, smiling. Night time especially seemed to draw the weirdos out of the woodwork.

When she got home, Abby made herself a quick, no-frills dinner. Mac and cheese. She stood stirring the cheese mix and macaroni together, listening to the evening news.

“And experts warn of a new surge in the coming months.” Warned a male newscaster. “In other news, will tonight bring the return of a local boogeyman?”

“That’s right Steve.” A female newscaster took over. “Over the last three years, a serial killer dubbed by the newspapers as the Lonely-Hearts Killer has racked up a nice little body count.” 

Steve turned to his co-anchor. “Three confirmed victims, Leslie. With suspicion of a possible fourth. The killer appears to only strike on Valentine's Day. Leaving paper hearts with the victims.”

Leslie added. “So, if you're going out tonight, be careful.”

Abby sat on the couch, eating the mac and cheese right from the pot. She changed the channel, not interested in the night’s sports scores. After a couple times through, Abby settled on an episode of That Girl.

Abby was convinced that the main character’s father wanted to sleep with his daughter.

“Fuck off! You old creep!” Abby flipped off the father when he appeared onscreen.

After supper, Abby took a quick shower, listening to Janis Joplin’s Piece of My Heart, screaming along with Janis as she washed her hair.

Drying her hair, Abby surveyed the clothes laid out on the bed.

“Nice.” She said, smiling.

Next to her bed stand sat an empty, ornate picture frame.

“Soon.” Abby whispered. “Soon.”

She’d lied to Kate. She fully intended on going out tonight. There was no way she was staying home tonight. Not on Valentine's Day.

The city was soaked in neon tonight. There’d been a light rain earlier. The sidewalk and street glowed with vibrant light reflected off a coat of rain.

Abby’s head was covered by the black shroud of her hoodie. There was a chill tonight. She’d dressed to keep warm, black leather gloves kept her hands from getting cold. Her black boots sloshed through melted snow. It was a pleasant surprise that it all went together with her black dress so well.

Lovers walked hand in hand. Others carried flowers on their way home to their lovers. Some, like her, walked alone. But Abby was willing to bet they weren’t exactly like her. She was unique.

The pounding beat of a remix of Britney Spears’ Toxic drew Abby to a club across the street.

The Artemis Room.

Cheesy Valentine's hearts adorned the windows. A sign read: Special Valentine’s Hookup Night. Singles get in for half price.

Abby dropped her hood, making sure not to jar the purple wig she wore. She paid the doorman, who looked her over.

“Not bad.”

She ignored his comment, pulling off her leather gloves. The club was packed. Lights strobed to the beat of the music. Abby took in the crowd. So many faces. So many bodies. Maybe there was one out there. One for her.

Abby found a spot at the bar.

“What’ll you have?” The muscular female bartender asked.

“Bloody Mary.”

Abby watched her go. The bartender was fit, but still had a feminine way to her. Pretty, perhaps too much woman for Abby to handle. For a moment, Abby considered asking the bartender her plans for the night, but by the time she came back with Abby’s drink, she’d decided not to.

She sat quietly, sipping her drink. Looking over the crowd for a clue of where the night would take her, when the man slipped up next to her.

He smiled at her with a big dopey grin. “Hey.”

“Hi.” She replied.

“Steve.” He smiled. “Nice to meet you.”

She smiled back. “I’m Leslie.” Abby lied. “Pleased to meet you.”

“I don’t usually do this.” Steve started. “But it’s Valentine's and I don’t want to be in my apartment alone. I thought about using that dating app, Cinder, but that stuff ain’t for me.”

Abby laughed. “Yeah, who knows who you might end up meeting.”

That talked for a while, getting to know one another. Despite herself, Abby was starting to like him.

“My parents used to have these video tapes.” Steve remembered. “They had this short guy. Like really short and he played golf…badly.” He scratched his head. “I think he was called: Worf? Not that’s the Star Trek guy. Damn what was his name?”

“Dorf.” Abby answered. “Tim Conway played him.”

“Dorf!” Steve laughed. “How the heck did you know that?”

“I like old TV shows. They’re comfortable.”

“Cool.” Steve smiled. “Anyway, my boss looks just like freaking Dorf.”

They both laughed.

“Hey hot stuff!” A tall blonde slipped in between Abby and Steve.

“Oh. hey C.C.!” Steve said, surprised.

“Long time no see,” C.C. exclaimed, ignoring Abby. “Whatta you up too?”

“I was talking with-”

C.C. grabbed Steve by the arm, pulling him away before he could finish.

“How about that dance you promised me last time?’

Abby watched them go, swallowed up by the mass of bodies on the dance floor.

Abby wasn’t accustomed to feeling much of anything, save for a vague numbness. But sometimes, like now, she felt anger swell up inside her.

“Bitch.” Abby whispered. 

She waited; Abby was nothing if not patient. Watching for C.C. Her type was fairly predictable. Abby waited near the restrooms, watching.

Her persistence paid off. C.C. walked by, giving Abby a dirty look as she passed by.

Abby slid off the barstool, taking out her leather gloves. Slipping them on, she stepped into the Ladies’ Room. Sliding a little wood door jam in place, effectively locking the door.

C.C. stood in front of the mirror, adjusting her hair. “What do you want bitch? Come to whine?” she gloated. Never taking her eyes off the mirror. “You lost fair and square. He’s mine and he’s fine.”

“No.” Abby adjusted her gloves. The feel of the leather against her skin was arousing. “I came to thank you.”

Abby grabbed C.C. by the back of the neck, ramming her head into the mirror. Cracking the glass and leaving a bloody imprint.

Abby let the bloodied girl drop to the tile floor. Straddling C.C., she punched the dazed young woman in the face, over and over. Feeling the warm blood spatter the side of her cheek.

Abby backed off, letting out a sigh of release.

“Thank you.” She looked down and the battered girl, her face a broken mess. “Steve is too good for you.” Something caught Abby’s eye. She bolted up, going over to the hand dryer on the wall. Triggering it with a swipe of her hand, sending a gust of warm air out.

“I love these things!” Abby exclaimed.

A pitiful whimper of pain came from the bathroom floor.

“It’s your own fault.”

She washed off her gloves and face in the sink. Blood and water swirled together down the drain.

Something cracked under Abby’s foot as she stepped away from the sink. Looking down, she slowly lifted her foot.

“I think that was your tooth. Sorry. I’m sure mommy and daddy have loads of cash to buy you another face.”

C.C. started to cry. This earned her a savage kick to her back from Abby.

“Weak.” Abby criticized.

Kicking the door jamb free, she left. Slipping out a rear entrance into an ally behind the club.

“Five by Five.” Abby said. Pleased with the lesson she’d taught C.C.

She really did owe C.C. If it wasn’t for her butting in, Abby might have gone with Steve. He was actually too nice for what Abby had in mind. Now, last year’s choice Brent, he’d been an asshole. He deserved what he’d got. She’d made him beg for his life before putting a bullet through his heart.

Besides, it was old. Abby needed something new. She had something in mind for some time, this had been just the push she’d needed. There were plenty of people out tonight. What she needed was a couple.

Abby prowled the streets. Retrieving her purse, she’d hidden before going to the club. Taking a break in a bar, she overheard a couple talking as they played pool.

“Whatta think honey?” The man asked. “It’s up to you. Whatever movie you want to see.”

The girl thought for a moment. “Well, seeing that it’s Valentine's Day, we should see something romantic.”

“Sure babe.” The guy smiled and they kissed tenderly.

Abby followed them. Watching as they walked hand in hand down the street. The pair laughed and chatted. At the theater, they bought tickets to something called: Ecstasy of The Heart.

Abby bought a ticket, along with a large popcorn and a soda. She sat a row behind the couple. They were caught up in their romantic tryst, not noticing that Abby had tailed them since they’d left the bar.

She paid no mind to the film; her full attention was on the lovers. She waited. Waited till the feeling struck. 

Inspiration came half-way through the movie. The girl, who Abby was sure was named Krissy, got up to use the restroom.

Abby followed her after waiting a couple minutes.

When Krissy didn’t return after a few minutes, her boyfriend, Jake, came looking for her. Abby was waiting for him. She sat with Krissy on a bench near the restrooms.

“What’s going on baby?” He asked, looking at Abby. Who’s this?”

Abby playfully waved to Jake while pressing the muzzle of a silencer into Krissy’s side.

Krissy started to cry. “Do as she says.”

“What the fu-” Jake started towards them. He stopped when Abby flashed the silenced pistol concealed in her hoodie.

“Behave.” Abby warned him.

“What do you want?”

“To play a game.” Abby thought for a moment. “No, it’s more of a test. An experiment, I guess.”

They left the theater together. Krissy in the middle.

“Remember, if you try to run or warn anyone, she’s dead.” Abby informed him.

The outside had grown chilly. The street had become less populated as it got later. Abby felt excited. Yes! She had a vision of what she needed to do…Of her purpose.

Abby took them to an abandoned cement factory. Her heart was beating faster as they made their way through the labyrinthian interior. She’d been here before. Felt a connection to the place. Its energy resonated with her. This was it! Abby could sense the change coming.

The lovers had stayed silent for the most part, answering only when she asked them something. As they walked through a large empty section, Jake spoke up.

“Why?” He tried to control the tremble in his voice. Why us?”

“I spoke of a test before.” She said, “An experiment. Every test needs subjects.”

“Test?” Krissy looked at her, fear burning in her eyes.

“Yes. Now hush.” Abby ordered. “Do as I say.”

“You're crazy!” Krissy accused. “Bitch!”

This rattled Abby. “Crazy! Crazy?” She slapped Krissy across the face. Jake made a move towards her and stopped as Abby pointed the pistol at him. “I am on the verge of something new. I am becoming something more than human.” She took a deep breath. “You should feel honored to be here.”

“What do you want?” Jake snarled.

“On your knees, both of you.” She ordered. “Face one another.”

Abby stepped back, pulling a large hunting knife out of her bag.

Krissy gasped at the sight of it.

Abby tossed it to the cold concrete floor between the kneeling lovers.

“Now. Now we learn if I’m right or not.” Abby stated. “Is love real? As so many claim, or is it fake? As I believe.”

Jake and Krissy looked down at the knife laying between them.

“I will let one of you live.” Abby said. “All you have to do is sacrifice yourself for your lover. Take the knife. End your life. Show them how much you love them. Or take it and kill them. Prove to me there is no love. Either way, one of you gets to live. Do nothing and I’ll kill the both of you. This factory will be your tomb.”

They stared down at the glimmering blade.

Abby smiled. “Do you love? Prove it to me.”

Yes. She thought. This would be a most memorable Valentine's Day. 

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