(8)

Since Arnold had introduced himself to the group, he didn’t sneak around anymore. He walked along the streets as if they were his, making clear he wasn’t a stranger. It wasn’t hard for Al and Jenice to spot him at all. He always waved when he saw them as if they had been friends for years. This made them embarrassed, because they didn’t want to be familiar with this guy at all. When Arnold would wave, they waved back politely, but put on their music extra loud and went further with spraying graffiti as if Arnold had walked on instead of standing there with the thought of having a little chitchat. They would look around to see if he was gone after a while and then they would lower the volume again and start talking about what happened. They would finish their artwork quickly. After this they packed up as rapidly as they could and very unorganized. They would run to another place where Arnold could pass by and started spraying. In the meanwhile they would call over some friends to help with standing on the lookout and spraying graffiti.

John and Alice kept her mother company.
“Miss, you do understand that Arnold is a serial killer, don’t you?”, said John.
“What are you talking about?”, asked Gwen.
“The serial killer strolls around for some time and then he strikes. He wanders around long before picking a target. He was here for some time, but just now he decided to make contact with the most obvious excuse, so isn’t it suspicious?”
“I think you’re paranoid.”
“Mother, I do think he is right. He’s been lingering around the house several times too.”
“Maybe, he was gathering courage.”
“But, he asked if it was really you! So he didn’t knew you were here right?”, remarked John.
“Maybe and maybe not. I was the first one to say something and not Arnold.”
Alice glanced at John and both shook their heads before standing up.
“Miss, it’s important to make as much contact as possible so he can’t target anyone. On the other hand you might better do the opposite or you may be his next victim.”
John clenched Alice’s hand in his. He was so scared that she would be his new victim. He had too much interest in her. She looked up at her lover. She saw he was worrying, so she touched his shoulder softly. He turned his head to her, smiled and nodded.

Jenice and Al had made a lot of new graffiti artworks, most of them rushed but they never were so productive. Then they met up with some friends at the café called “One Time Only”. There they asked for information and tried to get every detail out of their friends.
“So, what do you have on the guy?”, asked Al.
“Not much”, answered Brian, “He’s just a shady figure, like a shadow. He is very sneaky when he feels he’s getting followed he does some moves and gone he is. No one will find him after that.”
“He stops at every shop and makes small talk mostly with the women.”, uttered Elijah.
“Nothing else?”, asked Jenice.
“No not really, we need to have some days to catch more information on the man.”, said Casper.
“We’re counting on you.”, remarked Al and he placed some money on the table for the drinks.
“Later.”, Jenice and Al exclaimed.
They left so they could report to John.

“Guys, I’ve already given you the order to look for a suspicious man. Have any of you seen one?”
“No!”, said his crew in unison.
“That is what I though! You lazy farts! I found that guy, while you were doing nothing!”
He took out a photo and gave every member a look at it.
“You will survey this man and report to me. I want details! I want to know where he comes from, if he has family, what he does in his spare time and everything else. The person who can’t give me something will get punishment. Now go!”
They all scattered and went along. John nodded and left the place to Alice’s house.

Alice hadn't been home. She had left the house. Her mother wanted to accompany her but Alice said it wasn't needed. She was only going to the supermarket. As usual she only went to the racks where the ingredients she wanted were. She took them and put them in a basket. She paid for everything and carried the plastic bags.  
"Miss, do you need a lift?", she was asked barely a minute outside.
"No, thank you.", she answered the man sitting behind his steering wheel. 
"But it's not save outside with the serial killer running around." 
"I am sorry, but for all I know, you might be the serial killer.", while saying this she walked away firmly.  
"Should I offer you a ride?" 
Alice turned around brutally and want to snap at the man, but she saw it was someone else this time, she hadn’t heard a difference in the voice and this surprised her. Now it was Arnold offering. She was unsure how to answer.  
"I... I don't know if that's a good idea though.", she said with doubt in her voice. 
"You shouldn't have gone out by yourself, Alice. It's dangerous lately." 
"I know. But I won't be in danger because I walk straight home.", she began to walk again with solid pace. Arnold shook his head. But he gave up.  

John knocked the door and was surprised Gwen opened it. Normally Alice would do such a task.  
"Where's Alice?"; he blurted out almost naturally. 
"She went to the supermarket." 
"On her own?", he exclaimed. 
"Yes, on her own." 
"She know how dangerous that is!", he huffed. 
Gwen nodded and John left again. He went to search for his fiancé. He went straight on the way to the supermarket so he was sure to meet her on the way. He saw her from a far and saw she was rushing to get home. He obstructed her way and she flinched in fear. When she saw it was John, her stiffness reduced and she became calm.  
"Oh, John, it's you.", she smiled in relief.  
"What were you thinking going out on your own?", he exclaimed. 
"It's okay. Nothing happened. And I rushed home as I always did." 
"I can see that! But it's dangerous out here, Alice! You know that!" 
"I am sorry. I didn't want to bother anyone." 
John sighed: "Let me carry those." 
He took the bags and lent her his arm. She accepted it and softly smiled at him, but guild could be read off her face. He smiled back to comfort her and they walked to her home.