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It had been a long and successful night. Another victim, another calling card, another day of the police running round like the dumb headless chickens they are. Alex felt invincible there wasn’t a soul alive that could stop them. They were putting away their tools when they heard it, a slight rattle coming from the kitchen. Possibly nothing but Alex isn’t the type to take chances and leave themselves vulnerable especially when they’re the worst person to try and steal from.It’s an odd scene they watch from the darkness of the living room through the open door to the kitchen as the intruder seems to be leaving something rather than taking it. It’s curious enough that Alex approaches the room and flicks on the light instead of creeping up on them. “Hi. You’re back.” The intruder waved caught red handed looking wide eyed.“Hi.” Alex grinned and stalked forward, they were absolutely the wrong person to steal from.“Oh shit, fuck!” Morgan said running and jumping over a chair as Alex darted forward.“You picked the wrong house.” They said a gleam in their eye as the other just managed to slip past them into the living room.“Hang on a minute! I have a thing!” They said desperately trying to claw out something from their bag. Alex wasn’t going to let them get a gun out and in a split second grabbed a lamp and threw it at them smashing it over their head.They dropped to the floor and scrabbled forward immediately.“Fuck!” They yelped as Alex jumped up onto the sofa and used the leverage to drop tackle them down. They struggled against Alex as Alex worked to get their arms down and restrained.“I know you’re the Superior killer!” They called out and gave Alex pause but only for a moment as they grabbed their wrists and slammed them down on the floor with their head hitting the wood beneath. They groaned momentarily stunned as Alex put their weight down on them.“You’ve bought yourself a minute, go on.” They said peering down at them.“Okay, okay, hear me out. I wanna interview you for my book.” They said shaking their head as Alex leaned back and looked down at them.“You’re a psychologist.” Alex looked at them deadly.“No! Murder mystery, see! See I have a thing!” They said bumping their bag that was by their hip.“My book! I can show you?” They said with raised their eyebrows. Alex was feeling generous and this one had piqued their interest.“I’m going to pull back, if you do anything other than show a book, you die.” Alex told them and Morgan nodded eagerly.Alex moved back and kept their hands outstretched as the other carefully opened their bag so Alex could see them pulling out a book. It was a cheap novel and they flipped to the back page where their author’s photo was displayed.“See that’s me!” They said proudly and Alex looked at them trying to figure them out.“So what? You want to get in on the ground floor for the Superior murder case?” Alex asked. “No. I need references for my work and like, who would be better to ask than the master themself, ya know?” They said giving Alex a smile and Alex thought they looked cute at least.“You’re not turning me in, why?” Alex asked because there was a good chance they’d already been discovered and this cop was just trying to find the evidence.“I probably should but…I like money more. Listen I’m a pretty good writer, I got ideas but don’t have the knowledge to back it up and like, you’re a fountain of it. The shit you’ve done to people is truly horrifying and I’m so curious.” They rambled quickly and shook the book in their hands nervously.“What’s your name?” Alex asked because at least this one could have a name they might remember if it ended badly.“Morgan, hi, uh, Alex. I already know.” Morgan said shrugging pointing back to the kitchen.“How did you find me?” Alex asked not looking back, they weren’t going to give them the upper hand that easily.“Your calling card. I know why they can’t figure it out because it’s nothing to do with your MO. You just like the drama of it all.” Morgan explained and Alex smiled they had always made it easy to know exactly who they were.“The card’s not public yet.” They pointed out and Morgan scoffed.“I mean, I tracked down a serial killer you think a police firewall’s gonna stop me?” Morgan asked and Alex genuinely laughed.“Fuck, I like you.” Alex said their shoulders shaking.“That was a good minute, right?” Morgan asked giving them a mischievous smile.“Fine, you can live. But betray me and once I escape prison you’re the first I find.” Alex warned.“Hey, no, I knew exactly what risk I was taking with this but like, I really wanna be a good writer.” Morgan smiled more to themselves than at Alex.“You’re a little fucked up too, aren’t you?” Alex asked and Morgan gave them a weird little laugh.“Oh, yeah, probably.” Morgan agreed easily. “Okay. I’m gonna read that. If I like your work then we can talk. If not, then well you’ll know about it but not for long.” Alex held out their hand for the book and Morgan eagerly handed it to them.“Okay, yeah works for me. Uh, lemme know then? Oh, uh, I have a business card, I was leaving it on your table…” They pointed to the kitchen again. Alex grinned at them and dismissed them.“Get out.” They said and Morgan clutched the strap of their bag and shuffled quickly to the back door. Alex was waiting for Morgan in their tiny apartment, it was a small one bed, with a closet for a bathroom and kitchen/living space. It was also a mess, compared to Alex’s own immaculate house and honestly Alex wasn’t sure if they were going to catch something just from sitting at Morgan’s table which was covered in all kinds of rubbish. They’d done their own research of Morgan, of course, they were an editor for a local magazine, not chief but they had enough responsibility. They weren’t overworked and underpaid and had been able to get exactly one book published. The book didn’t do awfully but it could’ve done much better if they’d used the connections from their family’s publishing agency. They had family in the industry who were massive in the book world with their parents being board members and their brother being a VP. There was a story there definitely although nothing concrete as to what happened for Morgan to estrange themselves.Even more interestingly was what happened to Morgan so that they were perfectly happy to keep a serial killers identity secret in exchange for what is a vast well of knowledge about to kill someone and get away with it.“Holy fucking shit!” Morgan jumped and threw the mail the mail they’d been holding at Alex in a panic and the other laughed as paper flew at them and fell halfway across the room.“Whoa…phew…if I’m not about to die I’m so using that.” Morgan laughed in a panicked relief while they took their bag off and dropped it by the sofa.“Your form and structure are alright but you’re right, your knowledge of how an actual murder works is awful.” Alex nodded and Morgan tilted their head in acknowledgement.“I like the idea you had, the mother killing her own son and framing the step-daughter was inspired and oddly enough I actually liked your characters.” Alex tilted their head at them and regarded Morgan who frowned.“Why is that odd?” They asked, they were trying to make the characters likable.“I don’t like people. You might’ve noticed.” Alex explained and Morgan let out a laugh.“Oh yeah that makes sense. So…not dying today?” Morgan asked folding their arms and leaning on the back of their two seater sofa.“Today that is.” Alex smiled at them and Morgan lit up.“Cool! How do you wanna do this?” Morgan asked straightforwardly.“No personal questions, ask me about the work and nothing else. I’m not giving you bi-op of my life so you can expose me.” Alex told them and held their hands up complacent.“Fair. Do ya wanna do it like an interview or I can just write the questions down…?” Morgan asked.“Every week at some point I clean my tools, you can come then, on my word, and ask your questions.” Alex said with no room for negotiation. “You do not record it. You write everything, no technology. When I’m done you leave.” They continued with Morgan nodding along taking it all in seriously.“Works for me.” Morgan smiled at them and then glanced to their papers on the desk. It was messes and piles of unorganised work although Alex was curious to know why they were looking.“Are you squeamish?” Alex asked because they intended to be as graphic as they liked. They’ll admit it easily enough to prospect of finally being able to talk about their work is getting increasingly enticing.“Uh, listening about it? No. Seeing it? No idea.” Morgan shrugged thoughtfully, they did tend to wonder about death and murder a lot so probably not.“I won’t show you the photos then.” Alex shook their head looking as Morgan snapped to attention eagerly.“Okay but like, that could be really good for me, can I see the photos?” Morgan leaned forward putting their hands on their lap as they leaned forward.“If you throw up you clean it up.” Alex said because even they’d admit looking back it wasn’t a pretty sight but they were proud of the work they’d done.“Absolutely, of course!” Morgan agreed.Alex left after that, for the first time in their life they were unsure, this was new territory and potentially dangerous. But it was intriguing. Morgan was something else, they weren’t boring and they had to be a little insane to be interested in Alex’s work.
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Morgan was woken up in the dead of night by their phone ringing next to their ear. They blinked at the bright light as they smacked their hand around to grab it and look blearily at the screen.It was an unknown number and they yawned as they answered. “What…?” Morgan asked their entire soul leaving their body. “Did I wake you?” Alex asked with a laugh. “It’s 5am…” Morgan whined. “You want to ask your questions, you come to mine now, you’ve half an hour.” Alex said and hung up. “Okay...” Morgan groaned with a staggered groan as they shuffled and fell out of bed legs first onto the floor to hopefully motivated themselves to get up.Morgan dragged themselves to Alex’s house and 43 minutes later were outside Alex’s house and they knocked gently on the front door holding onto their travel mug filled with now lukewarm coffee for dear life. “You’re late.” Alex said as they opened the door the only light source a small lamp in the hallway. “You’re the devil. You made me get at 5am.” Morgan glared at them over their travel mug they held up to their mouth with both hands it being the only thing keeping them upright. “We agreed on my schedule.” Alex said stepping aside and Morgan shuffled through the threshold. “Mhm.” Morgan nodded as they walked past Alex into the lion’s den. “It’s not my fault you didn’t go to sleep until 2am.” Alex teased and Morgan didn’t want to know how Alex knew this. “You choose this. You monster.” They said stopped and glaring at them as Alex laughed. “You know, not why people normally call me that.” Their laugh turned into a full giggle as Morgan leaned mournfully onto the side of the stairs.“So, basement?” Morgan asked nodding to the door under the stairs. “That’s just a cupboard.” Alex said opening the door and pulling out a thick opaque bag. “Oh, so where’s all the murder happen?” Morgan asked looking round. “Put this on.” Alex said throwing them the bag. “Kinky.” Morgan said slipping it on and holding onto the wall unable to see. They heard Alex turn off the light and the bear “Stop it.” Alex warned and grabbed Morgan positioning them, they took out an icepick and thrust it stopping inches from Morgan’s eye just to see if they’d respond. They stayed there pliant and unseeing and Alex smiled. “Stay there.” Alex ordered and Morgan listened as Alex walked further into the room and then their footsteps stopped.“You know what would be funny is if I just willingly walked into a trap.” Morgan said half joking after a moment of no sound other than the ticking clock in the hallway.“Alex…Please talk…?” Morgan called out in the eerie silence.“Don’t be afraid.” Alex whispered in their ear. “Fucking hell!” Morgan jumped and slammed into the doorframe as the other laughed at them. “You asshole. You’re having way too much fun with this.” Morgan said reaching out blindly for something to grab a hold of. “Just giving you material for your books.” Alex grinned grabbing a hold of them and starting to move them.They’d opened the secret entrance in their living room underneath the cabinet console behind their sofa. It moved on greased wheels so it silently slid out opening up stairs down to the basement that didn’t exist on the plans to the house.The staircase went down lower than a normal basement would having been built underneath a concrete shelf that had the local water and gas pipelines on top of it for the local community. It meant no-one would ever dig it up.The room itself was split into three sections, there was their office, the operating room and storage. Alex had two types of victims, most of the time they liked to take care of business in the open, they liked the idea they could be caught at any moment although no-one ever had and lived to tell the tail. The second kind were brought here, mainly these people had offended Alex directly and it was when they wanted to take their time.They took Morgan’s hands and walking backwards in the darkness they were well acquainted with. Alex noted their hands were calloused from working regularly although the tops were soft so they clearly tried to take care of them. Their nails were short and it looked like Morgan ripped them off rather than cut them and recently too going by the thinner jagged layer at the nail rather than a straight cut line of a nail clipper. There was bits of dirt under their nails and they had smudges of ink along the inside of their hand from where they’d been writing and Alex wondered what it’d be like to see them clean.Morgan tried to walk confidently although any time their foot miss-stepped they became more tentative afterwards. Alex looked up as Morgan followed them down the stairs, it made no sense for them to be so trusting but Alex couldn’t help sinking into the feeling of this enjoyment. As soon as Morgan’s head was clear they bumped the button and the opening above closed behind them.The office was warm enough and far more organised than anything Morgan had. It was all paper and they had folders for all of the work they carried. The whole room was rigged to burn if anyone ever came down here without the authorisation code that Alex promptly put into the pad on the wall. If anyone was down here without it they would be incinerated with it.Storage was kept cold for obvious reasons and had two airtight sealed doors that lead to either the office or the operating room.The operating room was behind a bunker-esque setup. It had a thick bulkhead door which Alex flipped the central wheel to unlock and held Morgan over the raised threshold. “We going into a submarine?” They asked laughing a little nervously and straightened up when Alex closed it behind them and flicked on the light. “Alright, you can took the hood off.” Alex said going over to where their tools were kept in the corner and Morgan hurriedly ripped the bag off their head blinking as their eyes adjusted to the sudden light.“Oh…This is where it happens…” Morgan said quietly as they took in the sterile room. It was built with easily cleanable floors and walls with a single metal morgue bed in the centre with a bin next to it. There was a metal bench on the back wall with a small stool tucked underneath. The bench had a matching metal sink at one end and a stack of shelves to the end of the row with a myriad of tools. “Where the magic happens.” Alex said smiling as they prepped their tools.Morgan saw three doors in total, two were similar bulkhead doors where the last one looked like a walk in freezer door and they didn’t want to think what was behind there. They had asked for this, hadn’t they? Finally they took in the tools in the corner covered in what they could only assume is blood, flesh and bone.Morgan couldn’t know this but the second exit to the bunker lay outside the other bulkhead door and went to an abandoned factory that laid by an old industrial estate behind this neighbourhood. It’s the reason Alex bought the house in the first place as well as the land directly behind it including the decrepit factory that sat on it that gave Alex perfect cover to get back to their base. Of course, if anyone tried to get one Alex was alerted and they could lock the door from the outside and trap anyone inside who made the mistake of entering in the first place.“Right, you’ve got until I’m finished with these and then I’ll take you back out again. Ask away.” Alex said busying themselves and Morgan came round quickly to pull the stool out and sit at the bench. It was pristinely cleaned which they guess they should be thankful for.“How old is that blood?” Morgan asked. “Couple days, blood starts off dark, gets lighter and then darkens again as all the cells die.” Alex said holding up a saw which had a sawed blood motion. “Right…cool.” Morgan said distantly as Alex scrubbed. “You going to take any notes?” They asked steam starting to come from basin of hot water and soap. “Oh, uh, yes. Sorry, just…adjusting.” Morgan laughed weakly and then pulled out their notepad and pen they’d brought with the questions they had bullet pointed at the top. They made a new section for each question.Over the next half an hour they got through five of the questions Morgan originally had mainly because Alex had a lot to say and Morgan would then get distracted by new questions that popped into their head. Overall it was a flowing conversation between the two and it ended too soon and if Alex found themselves meticulously cleaning their tools and drying them off completely then who was to know that? Certainly not Morgan.Eventually though Morgan saw Alex put the last blade away and they packed their notes away. “We’ll build up to the photos it might be too much to begin with.” Alex said watching Morgan cap their pen and shove it into a random pocket as they flexed their overworked hand. “I’m not a wallflower.” They complained. “No, but I need you more desensitised first.” Some of Morgan’s responses had been hesitant despite their enthusiasm and Alex could tell they weren’t ready yet. “Fine, you would know, suppose you got first time jitters, huh?” Morgan asked. “No, never, I knew what I wanted from a young age.” Alex answered easily. “Really? Did you do the normal thing of animals first or just, like, deep end?” Morgan asked as they grabbed the hood and went over to the door while Alex put the last of the tools back where they belonged. “I lived on a farm so I always had plenty of knowledge of killing and culling but moving onto humans was more of–” Alex stormed forward and slammed Morgan against the wall and they froze shrinking into their arms. “No. Personal. Questions.” Alex reminded them angrier with themselves for falling for it. “Right, no, ‘m sorry. I’ll forget what you said, I’m sorry.” Morgan nodded rapidly digging their hands into the strap of their back. “Whoa. You just…change so quickly. Terrifying.” Morgan swallowed as Alex gave them an intense dead stare. “It’s how I get away with it.” Alex said letting their eyes drift over Morgan’s face while they were this close. “Yehah, I noticed.” Morgan gave them a nervous chuckle and Alex inhaled before pushing back.“I want something from you.” Alex said suddenly, leaning over and grabbing the hood Morgan had dropped when Alex grabbed them. “Yeah, sure?” Morgan said still recovering from the spike of adrenaline that rushed their system just now. “I want to read your next manuscript before you send it off to your publisher.” Alex said pushing the hood into their hand. “Really? You liked my book that much?” Morgan asked perking up a little bit. It was a kind of compliment if an actual murderer liked your murder mystery. “Mainly to make sure you’ve not put something in there you shouldn’t.” Alex said watching them expectantly. “Oh. Right, yeah that makes sense. Hood on?” They hid their disappointment by putting the hood back on again. With them blind again Alex walked up to them and held up their hand to Morgan’s face as if to take the hood back off but with a shake of their head leaned around them and grabbed the wheel of the door. “Yep.” Alex led them back upstairs to the hallway switching the alarm system back on again before letting Morgan take it off again.Morgan went for the door as Alex could see the Sun start to rise above their neighbours houses. They didn’t want them to leave yet. “I’m curious, why are you here? You already I know everything about you and your family’s company. Why risk your life with me?” Alex asked putting the hood away in the cupboard under the stairs and Morgan let out a short bitter laugh. “No you don’t, know everything, that is. I’d rather not get into my family, that’s a long conversation I don’t trust you with.” Morgan said looking down and away. Clearly a touchy subject, Alex would absolutely need to dig deeper. “I was existing but not living, if that makes sense. I was so fucking tired that I figured if I don’t change anything soon I’m just going to be another statistic.” Alex stared at them blankly. It was odd that the thought of Morgan being gone made them upset. They’d barely spoken more than an hour at this point, although Alex had been following them for days.“I was watching the news and they’d just uncovered one of your murders and the thought made me laugh. I realised I’d rather be a statistic for you than a suicide one. Felt more special, you know.” Morgan gave them a little self-depreciative smile. “So, I went, hey, I need this info, right? Why don’t I try and find the one person I know who can give it to me. And, if I end up dead, no-one’s gonna care anyway and at least I get to be a part of something bigger than myself, ya know?” Morgan said lightly like their life were as trivial as grass growing. Alex looked them up and down and tried to place this empty feeling as they looked at Morgan. “I see that look in your eyes, don’t you dare pity me.” Morgan said contemptuously. “I don’t want your empathy when you don’t give it to anyone else.” Morgan added calmly. “Why not? Doesn’t that make you special?” Alex smiled and Morgan’s face scrunched up in rejection of the idea but they clearly bit their tongue with their response.“Same time next week?” Alex asked after an awkward moment of silence and saw the pain behind Morgan’s eyes. “Please no.” They sighed looking out the doors window and seeing the Sun still rising. “Hah, no I normally do this during the evening but I wanted to fuck with you.” Alex laughed more for themselves. “You’re cruel.” Morgan huffed a laugh. “Kinda my thing.” Alex smiled to one side and Morgan went for the door. “Alright, call me.” Morgan said over their shoulder and left.Alex sighed wondering what on earth they had agreed to with all of this.
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They were three sessions in when Alex finally showed them some pictures they’d taken, most of them were post-mortem when the work was finished and they were so much more detailed than the crime scene photos were. Alex had clearly taken time to document each little section like an art project while the police photos were more mechanical, detached from everything. Alex’s version was far more gruesome to look at then the police files despite it being the same crime scene.“You give the story to them and they don’t even see it…” Morgan said tilting their head and peering closer at one like visiting an art exhibition. “What do you mean?” Alex asked raising an eyebrow.“Well, this was the banker right, Lewis something? He crossed you.” Morgan said motioning to the x’s littered across the chest.“So you did too and then left your calling card, the ‘Superior’ across his neck after taking his vocal cords. So clearly he did something with his words, pissed you off and earned all of that.” They motioned to the collage of the body parts where his skin had been cut open and then braided like an X down his arms and legs, it exposed the muscle and bone which had been cut into and cracked respectively but it was the braiding and staples in the skin that was important. “You read it like a book. He was an early one, blackmailed me when he realised I had a lot of properties under different company names.” Alex told them freely feeling like they’d earned the tid bit about them. Something about the way Morgan spoke made them want to open up, several times now they’d had to hold their tongue to prevent revealing more than they should. “I guess we’re just on the same wavelength.” Morgan said and smiled at them over the hoard of hundreds of pictures of human remains. “Which one did you use to find me?” Alex asked wondering.“It was a couple of them…uh…” Morgan said scanning around the board and then they frowned. “Huh…they’re not here?” They said looking at Alex, maybe they had more.“They have to be, what were their names?” Alex said searching glancing at the folders they were all there. “Early-esque victims, Sarah something, Bob or Rob maybe?” Morgan said and Alex paused.“Oh. Oh! Wow!” Alex laughed in realisation and Morgan looked at them confused.“They were my fourth and fifth kills, that was years ago. No-one’s even sure if they are my kills.” They said putting down the folder again.“Oh, guess I didn’t read the files right. Basically, the S on their biceps were made with a serrated kitchen knife right? Not a scalpel like everyone else? It’s there all other their notes, they died from asphyxiation, right?” Morgan started to ramble remembering the notes.“Now normally, you like to let them die naturally from their wounds and then you’ll just finish off whatever you’re doing and pack up. So some of them it’s a heart attack, some blood loss, etcetera, etcetera.” Morgan carried on letting their entire spiel come out excitedly.“Except Sarah and Rob, you choked them to death and that’s personal to you. Drama. So, I looked at people they knew, who was investigated, who was left behind, you know. I realised Rob dated you and you gave a wonderfully tearful statement upon finding out he was dead alongside what was noted as a visceral anger upon finding out he was fucking Sarah behind your back.” The police had been convinced that Alex had been clear from just that one interview alone and basically written them off by the time the alibi statements came in.“That’s where you fucked up, you were playing a part and you played it too well.” Morgan said grinning at them, if Alex wasn’t the most infamous serial killer alive they’d be more concerned by the fiery gleam in Morgan’s eye. “The alibi’s threw me, I’ll admit, nice touch, you are really fucking sneaky. But you slipped up.” Morgan said pointing up like a detective. “How?” Alex prompted because they were very invested, especially since they needed to fix that issue immediately so that no-one could make the same connection twice.“Ahah, you had two alibi’s, different statements from different cops to different witnesses and they’re on two separate victims files. On October fourteenth, you were visiting your parents in a different part of the country and helping out the charity drive for your job at the same time.” Morgan said and pointed to the photos of Rob which were dated the same, Alex had been doing neither but had convinced their parents that’s when they visited and had photoshopped themselves into a company photo. It had been a lot of work and Alex decided they needed to work smarter not harder afterwards. Turns out they were right.“It was too good to be true. Next was easy; find out where you live, follow you for a bit and eventually, one night, I see movement in the darkness of your house and through the smallest moonlit glimpse I watch you disappear underneath your living room. I got you.” Morgan grinned almost maniacally at Alex and spread their arms out indicating the room because they weren’t wrong!“You knew where the entrance was this whole time?” Alex asked and Morgan laughed nervously. “Uh, oh, yeah, but like, if it made you feel safer, sure, I’ll put the mask on.” Morgan shrugged.“You’re very good at reading people.” Alex said wondering if Morgan might be willing to go back and get rid of that statement for them.“And you’re an open book if you know where to look.” Morgan laughed proud of themselves.“Alright, I have a proposition for you.” Alex said and Morgan looked at them expectantly.“You can already get into that database, delete one of those statements, preferably my parents and I’ll let you have five personal questions.” Alex bargained and Morgan tilted their head.“I’d actively be a criminal if I did that.” Morgan said smiling slightly.“You’re already considered an accomplice by seeing this and not reporting me.” Alex pointed out and they let out a short laugh.“Oh, yeah, right…I didn’t think of that. Well, might as well go all the way then. Uh, I don’t have my laptop so you’ll just have to wait till I get home.” Morgan waved their bag to prove it was just full of paper and their notebook.“Thank you, accomplice.” Alex smiled at them but Morgan paused.“I’m not your sidekick, this is a two way street and I want answers.” They said firmly and Alex gave them interested look. Clearly a sore subject. “Noted.” Alex nodded and Morgan left for the night. The next day Alex got a text of a fuzzy picture phone picture of a laptop screen as proof of the deleted file on the police’s database followed by the text.
The only thing I can’t remove is the actually written statement if that still exists but it was never typed up as far as they’re concerned – Read 14:23
You’re my favourite. Five it is. – Read 14:45
Tonight? ;) – Read 14:45
Working tonight, come over tomorrow. – Read 14:45
It’s a date! – Read 14:45
“Is it a date?” Alex wondered aloud looking at their phone and frowned.“I’ll have to squash that.” Alex nodded and gave a long exhale.
Morgan was there one leg up on the stool while Alex cleaned as they leaned awkwardly over the sterilised bench pen in hand as they scribbled away.“What’s it like to cut through an artery?” They asked following through their standard questions before getting to any of the good stuff. “Haven’t done something so specific but if you want I can try it out on the next one.” Alex suggested scrubbing away at a hacksaw.“Uh…I don’t think I do want that…seems a little fucked up to be giving you ideas?” They said unsure scowling at the length of the bench. “I like your ideas, remember. Share them with me and I may be able to get you some answers.” Alex shrugged and saw Morgan tap their face with the back end of their pen.“I see your morals are in the way, think about it and let me know.” Alex shrugged nonchalantly although they had already made plans to pull an artery up and cut through it. Maybe some wire cutters would do the job or perhaps some pruning shears?“Morgan I want to make something abundantly clear.” Alex said after a moment of them scribbling something down, they made an affirmative ‘uhuh’ sound.“This isn’t going to get romantic.” Alex said firmly and Morgan sat up entirely and stared at them like they’d just grown a second head.“I’m sorry, what?!” Morgan scoffed a shocked laugh.“This isn’t a date and it never will be.” Alex reiterated.“Wha-oh. OH! No, wait! I didn’t mean it like that, it’s a turn of phrase. Sorry, oh my god, hah! No!” Morgan said quickly and laughed.“I mean I’m not awful to look at.” Alex said scrubbing a bit harder than necessary.“Oh, no, it’s just like…murder’s kind of a turn off, ya know?” They smiled at them and Alex nodded.“Fair. I’m running out of clean-up if you wanted those personal questions.” Alex told them and Morgan readjusted themselves back on the stool.“Right! Yeah, so, this is two questions, do we know who your first kill was and why did you do you start?” Morgan asked.“My first kill was a cop actually, I’d already had thoughts about it and then he threatened my mom. His own mistake, really.” Alex said. “Aw, you’re a momma’s kid.” Morgan teased and Alex gave them a dead look. “I made him eat his own tongue, caved his skull in with a rock, watched the life drain from his pathetic eyes and then chucked him in the river.” Alex carried on and Morgan grimaced.“He was found four days later with a wolf eating his carcass by the creek and it was marked a suicide. Wife left him apparently, couldn’t possibly guess why.” Alex explained and Morgan laughed although it was littered with a ‘that’s fucked up’ lilt.“Do you enjoy it, taking lives?” Morgan asked, Alex didn’t actually seem like the detached type.“Obviously. The power I hold over someone’s life becomes wieldable when you see that fear that this is it.” Alex had found time and time again you can know someone’s worst secrets and fears and it is always in their final moments before death that they are most scared. “So, how do you choose them?” They shifted in their seat glancing to the table behind them.“People who have no relation to me normally, Rob was an exception in my earlier, reckless days.” It was at this point Morgan realised they didn’t want to write this down, it seemed a bit odd to treat something like this as a character analysis. Really, they were just curious.“I go after people who annoy me or wrong me in some way. Sometimes I get to know them a little first and use what I learn against them.” Alex elaborated easily and Morgan turned to Alex giving them their full concentration. “Ah, is that what’s happening here then?” Morgan asked giving them a half smile.“You’ll find out.” Alex winked at them as if they were casually bantering rather than talking about Morgan’s impending death.“Most of the time my main motivation is that I’m bored and it’s whoever is unlucky enough to be in my path.” Alex snaked their eyes along the floor teasing Morgan as if they were in their path.“Horrifying, continue.” Morgan gave them a toothy smile that wasn’t nervous or friendly just fascinated. “Anyone’s fair game, I’m pretty sadistic and I do love a challenge.” Alex looked at Morgan who had completely abandoned their notes at this point their pen lying flat on the notepad.“Even, like, a body builder?” Morgan asked.“I’m stronger than I look.” Alex warned tensing their muscles to peacock just a little.“You’re a stick that looks like a super model.” Morgan flinched as a knife loosed from Alex’s hand and imbedded into the shelf just the side of their face. “Holy fucking shit.” Morgan looked gleefully as they looked back at where it was embedded in the metal sheet. Looking back they came face to face with Alex and flinched back as the other grabbed their neck.“I could crush the life out of you and never blink.” Alex squeezed their wet warm hand from cleaning and Morgan leaned back to look up at them properly.“Why haven’t you killed me?” Morgan had been, ironically, dying to know.“You’re interesting, simple as that.” Alex could tell immediately that answer wasn’t enough for Morgan and they leaned out of Alex’s hand their face scrunching in confusion.“I work at a gossip rag and the most interesting thing I’ve done is track you down, try again.” They said suspiciously, they knew there was more to it.“I like you and you are interesting.” Alex asserted and Morgan clearly didn’t believe them which they supposed was probably fair. “Fine. Keep lying, I’ll find out sooner or later.” Morgan watched as they started drying away and made a note about picking up milk on the way home.“You’re stubbornness could do with some work.” Alex said passively and Morgan gave them a cheeky smile.“Part of the charm, surely.” They said suavely and Alex laughed. “You’ve had your questions, get out, I got plans to make.” Alex nodded their hand“Ah fine.” Morgan sighed a little disappointed and started to pack up.“Leave the hood, you know the way.” Alex said as they went to grab it.“Sure, see ya next week.” They said happily with a grin and went back upstairs. Alex waited for Morgan to reverse engineer their way out of Alex’s dungeon using what they could remember from their hearing memory and disappeared back upstairs. Alex went over to the shelf and yanked the knife out they’d thrown out.“Dangerous.” They said to themselves but smiled as they spun the knife around their fingers and hung it up on the wall. Alex had been looking for someone specific when it hit them to try a local gym. Of course, it’s obvious that’s where one would be and gym bros always felt so safe late at night. It was easy to track him and easier to subdue him, he tried to use his strength and Alex had him unconscious and in their bunker before the hour was up.Then they got to work and went about stripping out every single artery in the body, it was long arduous work but they learnt some new things about the body. Alex might’ve been trying to impress someone as they left him hooked to a tree with tent pegs holding his muscles apart while they’d tied the cut arteries to spell Superior.Morgan hadn’t thought much about it when the news of latest murder came out but then they’d seen the victim’s face martyred all over the news and they couldn’t help but wonder.“I just saw your latest in the news, was that because of my bodybuilder comment?” Morgan asked leaning onto the metal bed where he’d almost certainly been dissected. Alex had been wondering when they’d bring it up.“Yeah, thought it was funny.” Alex chuckled.“You’re terrible but I looked at the photos. Damn.” Morgan shook their head awestruck.“Kinda the point of what I do.” Alex said as nonchalantly as possible they felt a rush of endorphins from the compliment though. “Cutting through an artery is like holding a pressurised rubber tube, fleshier, and then suddenly all of that pressure is released and sprays all over the room.” Alex started suddenly and the recognition clicked in Morgan. They’d taken the suggestion.“It’s also a nightmare to actually separate the artery from the muscle, time and effort, wouldn’t recommend.” Alex added, they can’t imagine anyone doing that for fun as a serial killer.“I feel like I shouldn’t write it down.” Morgan looked at their page conflicted.“Your loss. Makes no difference to me.” Alex shrugged and Morgan looked at them, back at the page, frowned, back up at Alex and then back to the page again. They wrote it down and Alex hid their smile.“Don’t judge me.” Morgan huffed and Alex made a vague dismissive notion with the coping saw in their hand.“Like I have any right.” Alex said and Morgan huffed a laugh.
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Morgan was at work when they were approached by the new spread planner. He put a coffee down next to them with a smile and they blinked in surprise, “Oh hi, thanks?” Morgan said looked at him confused. “You’ve been here for six hours and haven’t moved, figured you could use a coffee. You take it black right?” He smiled at them and they took it genuinely grateful. “Oh. Thank you.” Morgan picked up the steaming mug. “I’m Mark, Morgan, right?” He asked as if their name wasn’t on the little placement card on their desk. “Yeah…is there something I can help you with?” Normally they were invisible in this office until it was crunch time and they hadn’t finished checking for spelling mistakes. “Well, uh, actually, are you single?” Mark asked casually although he seemed a little nervous. Morgan was mystified. “Uh…” That was a very loaded question to someone who was currently dancing a tango with the devil themselves. Is it morally sound to put someone in the path of a serial killer? Morgan thought to themselves already knowing the answer. “Yes…?” Morgan said truthfully. “You don’t seem so sure…” Mark probed giving them a lightly suspicious look. “Technically, I am. However, without too much detail it’s a little dangerous to date me because of my…uh, ex…” Morgan lied on the spot, they’d have to flesh out this lie if they were going to use it, it’d be funny if they turned up dead now. Everyone would assume the Superior killer was a jilted ex, hey but it might mean that Barnaby would get investigated and he had it coming.“Is this an ‘it’s complicated’ kind or ‘restraining order’ kind?” Mark asked. “The second one.” They nodded, yeah restraining order works, thanks. “Yikes.” He said immediately and Morgan barked a laugh. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that.” He looked nervously off to the side. “No, no. It’s fine. Yeah, probably best to stay away, might have less slashed tyres or you know, your neck.” Morgan said trying to warn him off. Honestly, they were surprised they made it this far. He nodded awkwardly and gave them a head tilt in goodbye while Morgan gave him an awkward thin smile as he left before turning back to their work. Mark got maybe ten feet away before coming to a halt, Morgan noticed the lack of movement and looked up as he clearly decided something and turned back around made direct eye contact with them and came back over.“Uh, hi again.” Morgan said looking up at him. “You shouldn’t hide your life in fear.” Morgan doesn’t actually, if anything they’ve been running towards fear and it’s exhilarating. “Friday night, if my tyres get slashed then I’ve got insurance.” Mark said smiling at them and Morgan couldn’t help it, they smiled back. “And your neck…?” Morgan asked hesitantly. “I also have insurance.” Mark nodded and they properly laughed. “Okay. Uh, sure.” They smiled at him and wondered if for the first time in maybe ever they were going to make a connection with someone who approached them first. Morgan was getting ready to go meet Mark at a bar he’d chosen for some drinks when their phone rang. In the normality of their week they’d forgotten they very abrupt looming knowledge that they were playing chicken with a serial killer. “Come over tonight.” Alex said to them as normal and Morgan was brought back to the reality of the situation they put themselves in. “Uh…I can’t…I’ve got a date.” Morgan confessed because they weren’t sure what else to say. “A date? With who?” Alex asked with an incredibly steady voice. “Just someone I work with, he’s really nice. He’s like built like a superhero, it’s crazy to be honest.” Morgan let out an excitedly nervous laugh and Alex hated it. “Alright, some other night then.” They said with a light tone in their voice. “Yeah! See ya! Oh, please don’t find and kill him, I like this guy!” Morgan said and hung up before Alex could respond. Alex stared at nothing as they were hit with a moment of loss in their chest before they pushed it aside. They’d known Morgan just over a month so no, they are not feeling anything for them. They’d made it abundantly clear too. It was just a combination of meeting someone regularly and enjoying their company. It was control they wanted, and they liked Morgan following their orders, that was all. Morgan trusted Alex for some reason which was ridiculous and they were going to leave this alone. Let them be normal for one night, it was their life or whatever so it didn’t matter what Alex thought, wanted or needed. It would be best if Morgan stayed away from them anyway, they weren’t exactly a ‘healthy’ person to be around. Whoever this person was, was clearly well suited for Morgan if they’d accepted a date and Alex shouldn’t get involved.Anyway, they had better things to be doing with their time. That involved no-one but themselves.Alex went to turn towards their basement so they could clean their tools but they stopped. If they did it Morgan wouldn’t have a reason to come over. Unless. No-one’s to stop them from having another victim. Then clean up would take longer, especially if they go for some more explosive parts of the body. They can have another murder, as a treat, it’s not like they want to do anything else anyway. Alex grabbed their kit and went hunting give the FBI something else to feast their tiny minds on as they desperately tried to profile Alex.They’ve seen the files for it, many, many discussions on what their psyche is like. All of it wrong, well, most of it. At the end of the day Alex enjoyed this, it wasn’t work for them and they always say do what you love and you never work a day in your life. The date with Mark went really well which was new for Morgan. Something going right in their life was an odd occurrence and they weren’t sure if there was angle here but for all intents and purposes Mark seemed like a regular person who was genuinely interested in them.Honestly, they were just happy Alex hadn’t immediately killed him, they were surprised by how well Alex respected their boundaries. Alex was very good at getting Morgan to forget they were the most wanted on the FBI’s list and they probably would if most of their time together wasn’t spent in Alex’s murder hole. They’re getting comfortable and what they thought was a sure fire way to death seems less and less likely each day.For whatever reason Alex seems to have decided that they were friends and Morgan likes them too they have fun together which is definitely weird considering the topic of their conversations. However, Morgan’s probably having the best time of their life right now and they understand that at some point Alex is absolutely going to turn on them and they’ll be the next person on that list.Part of them wants to find a way to destroy all their notes if that happens, they kind of don’t want anyone else to know who Alex is. As horrifying as their murders are, people die every day, and Morgan’s just some random person whose death might mean something if they can get the most notorious serial killer ever to off them. That also might be why they have absolutely no qualms with riling Alex up. One, it’s fun to do and two, while they’re absolutely going to beg for their life at least then it’ll be over.“Four in a few weeks, you’re really going for it lately.” Morgan said offhandedly as they dipped their toe in Alex’s ‘no personal questions’ rule. “You gonna stop me?” Alex dared. “Yeah, sure lemme just indict myself.” Morgan scoffed as they scribbled a picture of a kitchen knife down. “Partners in crime, then?” Alex looked at them with a raised eyebrow and Morgan laughed with a nod. “I guess.” They said pushing the quick drawing towards Alex who chuckled.“How’s the new boyfriend?” Alex asked looking away going back to their cleaning there was particularly nasty stain refusing the come out this week or at least that’s what they told themselves as they scrubbed harshly against the metal. “Mark’s really nice.” Morgan nodded pulling the notepad back and tapping the page with their pen. “You sound uncertain.” Alex pushed pryingly. “Like, too good to be true. But also, I’m a paranoid piece of shit so…could just be me, you know?” Morgan sighed and dropped their pen for effect as they leaned back on the stool. “I could find out, you’d be surprised what people will tell you on their death bed.” Alex glanced back to the bed behind them. “You could, but hear me out, then he’d have to die and I don’t want that.” Morgan pointed out and Alex shrugged. Works for me. Alex said and nicked their finger on a saw’s serrated edge. They didn’t react to the pain just held the finger and watched the blood mingle with the soapy water.“If it helps people always slip up when they lie and if he hurts you I’ll deal with him.” Alex said firmly their protectiveness coming out. Apparently that extended to someone else other than their parents. “…Really? You’d kill for me?” Morgan asked shocked and Alex chuckled. “I already have.” Alex did not cut a man’s entire circulatory system out to be disrespected with forgetfulness like this. “That’s kinda sweet, thanks.” Morgan smiled although they looked down as their brain tried to reconcile the fucked up ness of the situation. “Don’t call me that.” Alex glanced at them with a glare. “Don’t be cute then.” Morgan raised their eyes brows in a bold challenge. They stared at each other both waiting for the other to make a move.Alex splashed the water from the sink at Morgan and Morgan dropped to the floor with a yell giving the water the right angle to dump straight onto their head. They spluttered and looked up crouched from the floor their hair clinging to their head giving them an essence of bloodied drenched rat. “That is vile.” Morgan huffed standing up and glaring at Alex who burst out laughing tossing their head back. “Please tell me I can have a shower here.” Morgan pleaded and Alex took pity. “Sure. I’ll get you some spare clothes and throw them in the wash before those dry with the blood on them.” Alex said and dried their hands before leading Morgan upstairs to the top floor bathroom. “Towels on the rack, I’ll get some clothes, although they might be a bit long.” Alex teased tapping Morgan on the top of their head as Morgan slapped their hands away indignantly. “Whatever.” They said and pulled their t-shirt off in one motion dropping it as they walked to the shower and started to unbutton their jeans. Alex blinked rapidly inhaling as Morgan stripped and go into the shower. “Turn the left knob and then you can change the temperature with the right.” Alex said and swallowed thickly. “Thanks.” Morgan nodded doing as told hissing as the hot water hit them instantly. “I’ll put these in the wash.” Alex said monotonously grabbing their discarded clothes as they avoided Morgan’s eyes.They closed the door and took the clothes down to the utility room and stared at them. Half wet,Their fists clenched into the warm fabric. They would smell of iron and Morgan and Alex wanted to know what Morgan smelt like. “Ridiculous. Don’t.” Alex told themselves and threw them in the wash putting it on quickly.They went back to the basement, collected Morgan’s stuff and brought it to the living room, resetting the alarm as they did and closing the entrance. They grabbed some clothes they figured would fit and left it on a wood chair they grabbed from their room and left it outside the bathroom door ready for Morgan.Alex made some coffee for Morgan and was making tea in the kitchen when they heard the shower stop. There was some shuffling as Morgan dried and Alex calmly put their mug down as Morgan came downstairs dressed in Alex’s jeans that was bunched at their ankles and a mostly buttoned up shirt. “Are you allergic to t-shirts then?” Morgan asked smushing their wet hair with a towel. “I have style.” Alex told them haughtily. “Business-Murder, I know.” Morgan joked and Alex smirked looking away before pushing a fresh cup of coffee across their little breakfast island. “Oh, thanks.” Morgan grabbed the mug and inhaled the heavenly scent. They are adorable. Alex’s brain unhelpfully supplied as they forced themselves to break their stare and pick their own tea back up.“So, I am a little curious, who d’ya gotta kill for a house like this?” Morgan asked looking around, from the outside the house looked a good thirty years old but inside the kitchen was nice, the furniture good quality although not lavish. It was actually pretty homely and comfortable which Morgan supposed was part of the cover. “Couple millionaires.” Alex said almost immediately. “No shit, really?” Morgan asked having been joking, they assumed Alex was a trust fund kid or something. “Uhuh, there was a time, I was a pretending at least, to be a normal human and then I realised I could just take what I wanted.” Alex said with a nostalgic smile. “And your neighbours never say anything, like what’s your job to?” Morgan asked and sipped from their mug. “As far as the IRS is concerned I’m a freelance writer with a sizeable inheritance from my deceased wife who tragically lost her heart and good old Dave who left me a house when he was found having choked on his own car fumes.” Morgan blew out a breath, it really was just that easy. “This also isn’t that kinda neighbourhood.” They’d specifically chosen a rougher side of town so people would leave them and their construction project alone. If a couple nosy people were buried into the cement foundations well no-one would ever know.“Hang on a minute, you weren’t married that wasn’t in your file?” “Sure, I wasn’t married, my twin was though, they were a good person who did lots of charity.” Alex shrugged with a tut. “Amazing.” Morgan laughed. “What about you? What brings a prince of the Champion publishing empire down so low as celebrity gossip rags?” Morgan sighed they supposed it was only fair to start opening up a bit. “I was the disappointment child, supposed to go work for my brother but had delusions of grandeur. Wanted to be a writer and was told no so said fuck it, I’ll do it myself.” Morgan said leaving out the worst of it because it hadn’t just the one ‘no’ it had been a lifetime of ‘do as your told’ and while second nature sometimes, they were sick of it.“How’s that working out for you?” Alex wondered aloud. “Got a book published, made a friend. Working on my second.” Morgan smiled at Alex who smiled back. “When can I read that?” Alex asked because they were curious if Morgan was actually taking their advice or not. “Ah, uh, I got three chapters if you want them?” Morgan asked. “I told you I wanted to read the manuscript.” They said with a shrug curious to see Morgan improve. “Okay I’ll bring ‘em!” Morgan smiled to themselves and polished off their coffee in one gulp. “Do you want something to eat, your clothes’ll be a while?” Alex asked because they suddenly realised Morgan might be gearing up to leave and they didn’t want that at all. “As long as it’s not prime human, yeah!” Morgan laughed. “I haven’t gone that far yet. Although I have drunk blood.” Alex said with a nod. “Ew, why?” Morgan asked and Alex had to laugh purely from this being the most visceral rejected reaction to anything they’ve told them so far. “Blood of my enemies.” Alex answered easily. “You’re so dramatic.” Morgan laughed and Alex pushed them playfully. “Go on, where’s the non-murder knives? I’ll help you cut stuff.” Morgan grinned. “Sure, I’ll give you some tips.” Alex was an expert after all and they pulled open a drawer as they went over to the fridge to get some supplies.
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It’s been a few months since Morgan met Mark and it was great to start with but considering they work at the same magazine he seems to have an incredibly busy social life. Then again Morgan doesn’t exactly have one of those except Alex and he’s not asked any questions about their weekly no tech day so they can ‘write’. Morgan supposes a normal relationship didn’t mean they’d have to spend all their time together and that’s fine. They’ve not exactly had a proper relationship since their last ex who cheated on them and honestly Morgan could sympathise with how Alex had chosen to deal with it. Unfortunately, one of the many gifts their parents bestowed on them was zero personal skills and so now they have an inability to go and start a conversation. They think they’re nice enough if a little eager once you get to know them but honestly Morgan couldn’t possibly tell you. It seems fitting that their best friend would be a mass murderer considering they don’t even remember having a childhood friend. Chad had made sure of that one and so here they were. Two people in their life and sometimes it felt like they were living two separate lives of a normal one with Mark and then some kind of crazy fantasy with Alex. It’d be fine really except he’s missed a few dates, had to reschedule or straight up forgotten and that’s fine, Morgan’s surprised they get any of his time at all. The fact he’s trying to be with them is enough. They told Alex exactly once and they got irrationally angry Morgan thought that might be it for their life. They haven’t brought it up since especially since Alex’s response had mainly been ‘dump him’ and that seemed a bit much. Mark really was trying.Alex had admittedly gotten angrier than they probably should, probably for the first time since they had Morgan pinned that first night they saw that Morgan was afraid. Not ideal. Especially since the reason they’d been so furious was that Morgan seemed to be happy to settle for mediocre. Alex had found him that night, they’d been restraining themselves from finding him mainly because they weren’t sure they could keep a lid on their jealousy. They could, self-control was not something they used often but it was effective when necessary. Mainly they just hated that Morgan was accepting anything other than perfection which is what they deserved. I could do better. Had become a startling regular though for Alex. They had been coming to terms with the fact that not only had they developed feelings for Morgan that it also made them want to do things a little recklessly. They’re not sure how it happened or when necessarily but at some point they’d had to accept it as fact. It mainly became unavoidable when Alex found themselves following someone just to find out what exactly could be more important than Morgan. It had taken the strength of a god to hold back when Alex found followed Mark to the local precinct. Either he was a snitch or a cop but either way Morgan was in trouble. Alex needed to act quickly but at the same time they couldn’t just kill their best friend’s partner because they were not jealous. They were just looking out for Morgan and they happened to have a very specific set of skills for this kind of problem. They just needed to find out whether or not he was just lying about his job or if he suspected Morgan of something and was trying to goad them into leading him back to Alex. “This is the third time this month he’s stood you up.” Alex said as the foam from the soaped water coated another sharp utensil. Morgan had been looking morosely at their pad and it was grating on Alex especially because they didn’t know how to make it better. “I haven’t even said anything.” Morgan scowled at the wall. “Your mask slips whenever you think about it.” Alex confessed because as guard as Morgan was when they did show their emotions it was raw and right now they were distracted from Alex because of some asshole who’d taken their attention away.“I don’t have a mask…or whatever…” They said petulantly angrier at themselves for being so obvious.“Sure. Why don’t you confront him?” Alex asked because they weren’t letting it drop this time if anything they wanted Morgan to get angry about it. “It’s fine, don’t worry about it.” Morgan dismissed with a sigh. “Fine, confront him or I will.” Alex goaded and Morgan took the bait. “Don’t you dare.” They said immediately sitting up. “Don’t be weak then, you’re many things but that’s not one of them.” Alex shrugged trying to keep themselves in check. “He hasn’t done anything wrong.” Alex wasn’t going to let them waste time on technicalities. “I’ve killed for less.” The only thing staying their hand currently was the fact it might upset Morgan. “I’m not worth the effort.” Morgan said simply. “You fucking are!” Alex threw the saw they’d been cleaning down into the sink and turned completely to Morgan hands dripping from the water. Morgan stared at them silently that perfectly frustrating mask hiding any emotion they might’ve felt. Alex shook their head and turned back to the sink, they wanted to cut up whoever gave them that mentality and right now Mark was at the top of the list. Morgan moved and Alex tensed wondering if they were going to leave when suddenly arms enveloped them side on and Morgan’s forehead pressed into their shoulder. Alex stopped and looked down at them a small smile on their face. “You okay there?” Alex asked after a moment of dead silence between the two. “Yeah.” Morgan said and Alex flexed their hands under the water, how are they supposed to cope like this? Alex wants to be closer to hold them and just maybe never let go. “You wanna hear about my second kill? It was embarrassing to say the least.” Alex adjusted in their grip knocking Morgan’s head with their cheek. “I thought she was following me home from school and so I thought she was hunting me, I knocked her out and killed her, it wasn’t until I checked her ID that I realised she was my cousin.” Alex laughed as if telling a funny dinnertime anecdote. “Your own family?” Morgan asked pulling back looking up at Alex although they didn’t remove their arms. “Ah, don’t worry your morals, her family are the worst, her dad stole my dad’s inheritance and we don’t talk to them anymore, mainly ‘cause my parents are worried I might kill them but that’s their problem.” Alex explained finding it easier and easier to open up to Morgan. “Your parents? As in alive parents?” Morgan asked putting their chin on top of Alex’s should. “Yes, most people have them.” Alex nodded trying not to develop an addiction to Morgan’s touch. “I assumed you killed them as revenge for a shitty childhood.” Morgan said nonplussed. “I had a great childhood, I was really popular in high school too.” Alex told them and Morgan had never been so offended in their entire life. “Why are you a murderer?” They asked baffled. “It’s fun.” Alex shrugged and smiled at them. “I need to go home.” Morgan scoffed and pulled away completely, Alex missed their touch instantly and stopped themselves from chasing Morgan. Get a hold of yourself. Alex scolded themselves while Morgan in a crisis grabbed their bag and dropped it onto the bench almost immediately after. “Wait! They knew what you do?!” Morgan was mystified who are these people? “Of course, we’re actually pretty close I visit them all the time, they live on a farm upstate.” They told them. “I feel we’ve just become the biggest argument for nature vs nurture, holy shit.” Morgan laughed hysterical. “Ah, yeah, your relationship’s not the best with yours.” Alex grimaced and grab a cloth to start drying off. “You could say that, yeah.” Morgan nodded factually. “What are they like?” Alex asked from pure curiosity and Morgan paused. “Um…are you gonna kill them if I tell you.” Morgan asked squinting at them suspiciously. “Do you want me too?” Alex smiled as Morgan gave it a good 10 seconds of thought. “No…” They said slowly and then told Alex what it was like growing up in their household. They were there long after Alex had finished drying up and cleaning away. Alex mainly kept going to give their hands something to do but resolved to keep their hands trapped into their folded arms once they’d finished so they didn’t grab something sharp. Alex knew what fury was had experienced it many times but nothing had burnt so hot in their soul like this before. “And you’re no contact with them now?” Alex asked as Morgan sat leg’s dangling off the bed. “Haven’t spoken to them in eight years, ‘cept catch ups with Syd but she’s a good egg.” Morgan shrugged“It’s done Alex, I’m done with them. They don’t own me anymore.” Morgan said firmly. “They never will, I promise you.” Alex vowed severely, Morgan could turn them in and Alex would still drag their parents and do the most unspeakable shit to them that would make the hardiest of people nauseous. Alex decided that Morgan needed to know, it was their relationship and they should know if their partner is lying to them. They followed Mark while he followed Morgan and took photos as he watched Morgan. It was an odd kind of mirror as Alex watched Mark stare at Morgan for an hour while they worked on their manuscript in a coffee shop.Alex didn’t understand why Morgan chose to work in public, Morgan protested it gave them some social ground, but really Alex thinks Morgan likes the “authenticity” of working in a coffee shop. It’d be charming if it weren’t so damn pretentious.They called Morgan over and the over found them in the living room with the photos laid out on the coffee table. “Art project…of…me?” Morgan asked wondering if they were about to become part of the piece. “Not you, Mark.” Alex leaned forward and tapped the back of his head in the photo. “So…Mark was following me…?” Morgan picked up one of the photos examining it. “I think he’s a cop and he’s about two degrees from figuring us out.” Alex said grimly and Morgan’s face dropped. “Oh shit.” Morgan whispered under their breath.“You wanna kill him, don’t you?” Morgan said rhetorically. “You don’t need a psychic to work that out.” Alex glared at the photo unable to comprehend why Morgan would want to hold onto someone who clearly didn’t care about them. “Hang on, hang on, just…can you let me look into it first before you go all psycho on him?” Morgan looked at Alex pleadingly and if anything that sad look in their eyes made them want to kill the bastard even more. “He stalked you for a full day and you’re still trying to give him the benefit of a doubt?” Alex asked frustrated. “One, hypocrite. Two, maybe I want to try and see if the one person who’s taken an interest in me in my entire life might not be because of someone more important than me.” Morgan gestured to Alex, photo in hand and Alex’s shoulders slackened. They’d love to say they’d have noticed Morgan across the room but if they had chances are they’d have killed them before they could get close like they have. “Fine, but if he’s a fed, he’s done.” Alex relented. “Well, today sucks. I gotta break up with my boyfriend. ” Morgan dropped down onto the sofa and threw the photo down onto the pile. “You’re gonna break up with him, then?” Alex asked as nonchalantly as they could. “Well yeah, if he’s a cop then I’m not gonna date someone hunting down my best friend.” Morgan shrugged and frowned at the paper in front of them. “Ya know, he also stalked me.” Morgan flapped the photo in their hand and Alex chuckled. “Didn’t stop you liking me.” They pointed out and Morgan narrowed their eyes at the photo. “True, but like, we’ve always known what this is. Mark lied to me, there’s a difference.” Alex would love to know what this is but instead they nod as if understanding.“We could watch a film or something?” Alex suggested wanting to forget about Mark. They realised they were out of their depth, they can’t remember the last time they just hung out with someone. “You got dvds?” Morgan asked looking round. “No, I’m a serial killer, I pirate everything.” Alex dead panned and Morgan laughed. “Ah great, what do you fancy?” Morgan asked as Alex pulled out their laptop from an openable ottoman.“You do have technology in this house.” Morgan remarked in faux shock. “There’s a TV right there.” Alex pointed out while they brought up the website. “Yeah, but as far I could see it was a prop.” For as well put together as this house was there was dust everywhere. “For all intents and purposes I’m a regular human.” Alex said frowning at their screen. “Sounds like something a murderer would say, oh wait.” Morgan teased proud of themselves. “Just pick something, I’m getting snacks.” Alex pushed their hand into Morgan’s face as they put the laptop into Morgan’s lap and stood up to go to the kitchen. It didn’t feel weird to spend time with Morgan, normally they found most things boring but just sitting there making dumb commentary on some awful horror film that Alex refuses to admit they jumped at any of the scenes was nice. They enjoyed Morgan’s company and not just because they finally had an audience and yes, they absolutely liked the attention, but the other had wormed their way into Alex’s life at some point and it was far too late to look back now. For Morgan, it was easy to forget who Alex really was, sure Alex liked to remind them constantly and they didn’t play dumb, it’s just Alex always seemed like “some person” that they got on really well with. They also just happened to be the FBI’s most wanted serial killer. Morgan’s not sure if they had a better social life they might have more things to say about Alex’s murderous tendencies but this is the first real connection they’ve made since they were a teenager and they didn’t want to lose Alex.
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It’s a few days later when Morgan manages to get Mark to agree to a date they figured he could have a taste of his own medicine for once and be stood up. They wait for him to leave his apartment, leaves it a few minutes and then breaks in. It’s disheartening to see his little desk in the living area covered in various case files including one with Morgan’s name on. “God damn it…” Morgan sighed and they started looking for the one for Alex. Oddly enough they couldn’t find it and so eventually they got curious enough to read their own file. On one hand, when they read that someone had seen their notes on murder at work – which, to be fair, was their own fault for taking the same bag to work – and reported them anonymously to the police it worried Morgan. On the other hand, what it meant was that Mark had been investigating Morgan not Alex. Whether or not it was a good thing was irrelevant Morgan was just happy to be noticed. Reading through the file Mark had mentioned Alex several times except he’d gotten it completely wrong he thought Alex was their next big spectacle victim as opposed to the lesser victims Alex chose for fun. Morgan could laugh at how wrong he was, if anything they were baiting Alex to kill them but the other hadn’t been hooked. With all this in mind Morgan decided to start working out a plan, they needed Mark off their case and the definitely needed him to lose any trace on Alex, his life was precariously in the balance as it was. Alex could deal with him but there’s still a chance that the work he’s done already could lead back to them both and they don’t want the heat. What Morgan was trying to figure out why Mark stood them up so often. It was maybe once every couple weeks perhaps he was making sure they’d be out of their flat but they went to Alex’s once a week so there must be another reason. Bitterly they thought he just couldn’t stand them and was just trying to avoid them but it was odd it was so consistent, he could’ve just not set a date with them. Morgan definitely erred towards something more logical, there was a reason he got them to go a specific place at a specific time so often to ditch them there. Nevertheless if they were going to deal with Mark it had to be with Alex and they’d need a plan, letting Alex kill him off and hoping he hasn’t reported them back is a risk they can’t afford. If Morgan’s going to be a partner in crime to a serial killer then they’re going to do it right, damn it. They take pictures of all the info and head over to Alex’s place, it’s dark inside which honestly doesn’t mean anything, it could just mean they’re downstairs. Getting déjà vu as they lock pick the back door and slip inside they tap along the hallway floor boards to announce themselves to Alex if they’re downstairs and wait. After a moment they hear the secret entrance in the living room open but they don’t call up.“Alex…?” Morgan calls out as they wearily step down into the dark depths. What they definitely don’t expect to see, although unsurprising, is a trail of blood leading from the wall back into the operating room. “Alex, any kind of call to say this isn’t a horror film I’m walking into would be great.” Morgan was nervous and they figured it should be more worrying that best case scenario is that Alex is cutting up a body in there and not setting a trap. “In here…” They hear Alex’s voice call out and sigh in relief as they quicken their step and go to the operating room. Blood, lots of fucking blood. It’s coating the other open bulkhead door that leads into a dark cold and drafty corridor, it’s on the floor, the normally pristinely metal benches and most importantly Alex was also covered in blood. Whether all of it was theirs or not Morgan had no idea. “Fucking hell, what happened?” Alex winced as they currently had some long medical forceps fishing around in an open wound in their abdomen. “Your boyfriend shot me.” Alex hissed from pain and glared at them. Alex had decided tonight was a good night for some murder. Morgan was off investigating their soon to be deceased boyfriend and he was currently being stood up in a restaurant which gave Alex a sick kind of petty satisfaction. They decided an outside jaunt for this one, they wanted to try out a cutting technique they’d seen on the cooking channel and wanted to know if it would go through thick muscular meat or not. They chose someone in a suit, they’d been stranded in the wrong side of town and was trying to get a cab out to retrieve them. Maybe a cab would come but it would be far too late. Their victim struggled well for their seemingly smaller stature as they fought Alex but one thing that always made to be a good bet was if someone was trying to get away and not fight it meant they weren’t likely to try anything that might kill someone. Alex, on the other hand, was a predator and wanted to take down their prey so slamming their victim into the side of a brick wall was as easy as crushing a bug. The victim went down from the impact and Alex dragged them into the depths of the industrial estate near their house. They never took them back to the factory they owned but there were plenty of destitute factories here which were perfect for working. Their victim was still alive although a lot of their blood was on Alex as the door to the room they’d chosen flung open.“Freeze!” Alex heard a gun cock and they smiled, more game. Turning slowly they looked at him and the disappointment flooded them as they saw Mark stood their pistol in hand. “Take the mask off.” He ordered. “Standing up your date again…tut tut.” Alex did not obey, mainly to keep their identity secret and more to do with having every intention of using the victim as a shield. “How do you know about Morgan?” Mark asked taking a step back and looking over the gun. “I’ve been enjoying watching your wild goose chase.” Best to assuage his suspicion of Morgan at least. “They’ll be next after you, that’s your fault.” Even better if he thinks they might be a victim. “Not if I fucking kill you first.” He said and Alex dropped to the floor causing him to unload. It immediately killed the victim who gurgled from the gunshots and died, they’d only been unconscious. “Who’s the murderer now?” Alex laughed and rammed the table they had the victim on up with their back shoving it up towards Mark. They grabbed their bag as the body flew forward into Mark who was crushed into a wall as Alex took the opportunity to slam his head into the wall to stun him. They ducked out of the room and slammed the door closed before making a run for it.They could absolutely take care of Mark, he was only one man, but Morgan had asked that they give them time and it wasn’t as if he really had any chance anyway. Alex knew this area like the back of their hand and he had no chance following them. As a precaution Alex took out a flashbang, a tactic they only used when they wanted to get a few people.Alex let out a yell as a fire rang out and they felt a bullet pierce their back. Sucking in a harsh breath they threw the flashbang back, covered their eyes and pushed their way into a stairwell. Alex growled out in anger because this wouldn’t be a problem if they hadn’t tried to be nice. They heard Mark blindly firing back in the corridor upstairs and sprinted down the stairs. They took a cloth out that they used to wipe off their tools and stuffed it against the wound in their back to stave off the blood. Luckily Mark was a shit shot and he only managed to get unimportant organs.They disappeared down a few alleyways and heard Mark calling out into the night angrily. It didn’t take them long to get back to their factory and disappear underneath the secret door to get back to the operating room. They’d managed to set up a mirror and had been trying to fish the bullet out when Morgan arrived finding them and the room covered in both their own and the victim’s blood.“Your boyfriend shot me.” They said breathing heavily. “Oh my god, you got caught?” Morgan asked worriedly watching Alex wince as they poked around inside of them. “No. He doesn’t know who I am.” Alex nodded to the balaclava on the bench that they’d torn off when they gotten in.Morgan went over and closed both bulkheads sealing them in, it was better if they were sealed in while Alex was hurt like this. “Why didn’t you kill him?” Alex gave them a pointed look and Morgan leaned back. “For me?” Morgan asked genuinely touched. “You might not like it if I kill your partner, right?” They winced. “Here let me help. Stop squirming.” Morgan said batting their hands away and pushing them onto their front on the bed and cut open the hole in Alex’s shirt that the bullet had made. “I’ve been thinking of a plan but I need your help. If we play this right they’ll have no idea that either of us are involved in all of this.” Morgan said as they cleaned the wound. “Yeah, sure, do me a favour, get the damn bullet out and then we can talk.” Alex let out a long harsh breath. “Right. Yep. On it.” Morgan nodded and got to work as they pushed the forceps back into the wound to open it up again.“Do you know how to stitch?” Alex asked trying to distract themselves. “Yeah, don’t worry.” Morgan said offhandedly as they focused. “How do you know?” Alex asked, they really couldn’t take best intentions right now. “You’ll laugh.” Morgan hummed and shifted as they made a little achievement sound grabbing hold of the crushed bullet. “Probably not.” Alex sighed with relief feeling the metal leave their body. “My parents wouldn’t take me to the hospital when I was a kid, and I got a lotta scraps, let’s say. It won’t be pretty but you’ll stop losing blood.” Morgan explained dropping the bullet into a little basin and grabbed a cloth to wipe their hands as well as grabbing the sewing kit from Alex’s shelf pushing back and forth on the stool. “God, I’m going to enjoy killing them.” Alex let out in a stressed breath. Morgan let them have it, after all they did get shot because Morgan messed up.While they worked they told Alex what they’d found at Mark’s and what they’d been planning to resolve it. Alex half listened as they were stabbed multiple times by the needle Morgan used until eventually the other cleaned off the last of the blood and helped them out of their shirt.“I’m sorry, Alex, this is my fault.” Morgan sighed the guilt gnawing at them. “This is Mark’s fault for getting involved.” Actually, it was Alex’s fault for being a serial killer but that was neither here nor there. “Either way, I can fix it, I swear.” Morgan promised. “We’re in this together. You do your part and I’ll relish mine.” Alex grinned at them feeling the closed up wound. Barely a scratch, they’d be fine, now at least they knew Mark was fair game and, oh, wasn’t that about to be a bitch for him.
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“What the fuck is this Mark?” Morgan asked loudly throwing the photos down in the middle of the office creating a scene. Several people looked up immediately invested in the tea. “Where did you get those?” Mark looked pale grabbing the photos so people couldn’t see them. “They showed up in my mailbox, probably from some concerned neighbour thinking I’m being fucking stalked. Oh, wait, except I fucking am.” Morgan accused and Mark shushed them. “Wait, Morgan, it’s not like that.” Mark said looking round. “Fuck you, I’m getting a fucking restraining order, you psycho. Don’t come near me, I’m going to HR.” Morgan snatched the photos from Mark’s hands and turned on their heel to leave as people looked away definitely still listening. “Morgan, you’re going to be Superior’s next victim!” Mark called out and now the entire office was looking at them, some people started to type out a transcript. “What?!” Morgan gave him a bewildered look. “The bastard told me in person, so I know you are!” Mark tried to reason and Mark scoffed bitterly. “Really? The most infamous serial killer in the country told you in person that I’m next when they notoriously don’t leave any fucking witnesses.” Morgan said in disbelief. “Why haven’t you reported them to the police if you’ve got an exclusive interview?” Morgan swung their arm out dramatically and smacked it into the side of someone’s cubicle mainly so they didn’t laugh at themselves for the irony of it all.“Morgan–!” Mark grabbed their wrist of the hand holding all the photos and they winced as he gripped it too tightly. “Get off me! I thought it was real, you were real.” Morgan ripped their hand away and held it to their chest for effect cradling the evidence. Surprisingly to Morgan several people looked ready to jump in and they took a few steps back. “Stay away from me.” Morgan said shaking their head as they turned and walked purposefully to the HR department.“Will you stop fucking recording?!” Mark yelled at someone with their phone out; good Morgan wanted him to be humiliated.For authenticity Morgan did actually report him to HR and Mark had to blow his cover to reveal his was undercover police. To verify they actually had to get the police in to confirm his story which was a wonderful time as two officers showed up from Mark’s precinct and spent the next hour taking the piss out of him for being exposed.It forced Mark to explain everything, the dead ends he’d been chasing and how he’d actually struck Morgan’s name off the suspect list because they hadn’t done anything suspicious. He was on the brink of breaking up with them which was probably more insulting than how he’d treated them. “Well, consider this the end of our relationship, you creep.” Morgan was stood on the opposite end of the room by the door looking as cagey as they could. “Morgan, you weren’t ever supposed to find out, I wasn’t trying to hurt you.” Mark sighed rubbing his eyes. “The thing you need to focus on is who sent those photos, it was probably Superior and they probably–” “No! Mark, if I die, my blood’s on your fucking hands. You put me in this path when you fucking stalked me.” Morgan snatched them from his hands again and threw it down on the table. They turned to leave and one of the two officers stopped them.They flinched away from her and she stepped back giving them space. “We’re going to assign a detail to follow you and keep you safe.” She said and that was the opposite of what they wanted. “No, fuck off, I don’t want anything to do with you or your department. All of you can stay away from me.” Morgan said pressing themselves up against the wall. “If I find out anyone is following me, I’m taking all of your names and putting them on blast. If you don’t believe me look up my family name and then look at all the companies they own and then ask yourselves ‘do I really want my fucking name in every fucking paper in the country’?” Morgan threatened using one of their mother’s favourite techniques and it wasn’t like these assholes knew their family situation. As far as Mark was concerned they didn’t speak to their family much but he had no way of knowing to what extent.“Okay, Morgan, we’re need to talk to the police about this whole situation. Why don’t you take the rest of the day to yourself and get some rest?” One of the HR representatives ushered the cop out of the way and opened up the door and they stepped out as three of the magazines lawyer’s were beckoned in. “Right, thank you.” Morgan looked at the three enter while the police in the room got incredibly uncomfortable. “I think it goes without saying Mark that you’re fired. Now that legal’s here, why don’t we talk about warrants and jurisdiction.” She said as the door closed and Morgan held their smile.They went back to their desk, collected their things purposefully ignoring the pointed looks and stares they were getting as they hurried out the office.They didn’t go back to their flat instead going to Alex’s. By the time they got there their wrist was sore enough that it was annoying them and they didn’t even make it to the door before Alex opened it and stared at where they were rubbing.“What did he do to you, are you hurt?” Alex asked immediately reaching out gently for their wrist. “He grabbed me. Don’t worry I won’t break, I know how to handle pain.” Alex examined it seeing the swelling that had come up. Alex was going to cut the nerves in Mark’s wrists as punishment.“Mark’s done and that story’s gotta go live tomorrow at the latest, someone got video too, those cops are finished.” Morgan smiled at them conspiratorially and Alex smiled back just as deviously. “Beautifully done then. Come on, I’ve got ice.” They nodded back inside and they both went into the kitchen. “I’m just annoyed that I didn’t clock he was fed before he got the drop on you. Sorry Alex, I fucked that up royally.” Morgan sighed as Alex grabbed some ice and wrapped it in a tea towel. “Stop apologising, he played on your need for attention and affection.” Alex took Morgan’s wrist and placed the ice to their wrist. “My need?” Morgan asked with a derided. “You’re deprived and I provide attention but no affection so it makes sense you’d try and find it elsewhere.” Alex said steadily as they gently rubbed the back of Morgan’s hurt wrist with their hand. “Right. Okay, I didn’t know you were doing a character analysis on me?” Morgan laughed a little looking down at their clasped hands. “As much as you observe me, I observe you.” Alex didn’t move their head up but looked up through their eyelashes giving Morgan their standard serial killer eyes. “You’re so fucking scary.” Morgan laughed a little. “And you can’t get enough.” Alex smiled and stood up straight as they let go of Morgan’s wrist, although, they didn’t move away. “Touché. Well, phase two is a go and then it’s your turn. Although, be careful they mentioned putting detail on me.” Morgan warned. “Keep an eye out.” They agreed breaking away finally. Over the course of the next few days the shit storm the precinct Mark worked for went viral, especially since it was revealed they weren’t supposed to be investigating the Superior killer at all since it was an FBI case and Mark had been doing this work completely under the radar.Unfortunately for Morgan it seemed as a precaution a detail had been added them or maybe they were just trying to use Morgan as bait. Now they knew what to look for it was easy to spot, a car that’s always there, the same person following them for the same blocks they walked to work from the subway. It wasn’t great and it also meant they were probably being tapped as well.Morgan had been under a lens since they were a child and had only broken away from it when they became an adult, now, here they were again, under that same lens. At least it was because of their own choices this time. At least Alex had the decency to be good enough at it that Morgan didn’t know where they were. These people following them, right now though? They might’ve as well been wearing signs that said ‘we’re tailing you’.They went to work as normal and wondered if they knew about Alex, if they were trying to pinpoint any people in their life that could be targeting them then the last person Morgan needed to lead them to was Alex. “Hey, quick favour, can I borrow your phone for two mins? Mine’s died and I need to ring my mom, dad’s in hospital and I just need an update.” They lied easily and their colleague gave them a sympathetic smile and handed it over quickly. They smiled gratefully. “I’ll just be right there.” They said pointing to a corner where there was less traffic of people but still visible to the room. They faced their colleague with a smile and pretended to type out the number while texting Alex quickly.
It’s Morgan think the police are tailing me don’t contact me sorry – Sent 09:23am
They sent in a rush and held up the phone to their ear and angled the phone away from sight as they pretended to have a short conversation with their mother. They pretended to give a sigh of relief and looked down to see nothing back from Alex. They deleted the text conversation surreptitiously before handing back the phone. “Thank you so much, luckily just a broken leg. Trust my mom to send me a text saying ‘emergency’ and then my phone just dies.” They joked and their colleague laughed politely. “Thanks, I owe you one.” Morgan said with a nod and went back to their desk. For effect they turned their phone off in their pocket and plugged it into charge shoving it in their drawer so their supervisor (or anyone else) could see it was fully charged. They didn’t hear back from Alex for three weeks and Morgan missed them more than air but they couldn’t go over. Alex was now the only person they interacted with and that would make them look even more suspicious considering that’s the area Mark almost caught Alex.Morgan went to work and home and back again hoping that eventually the stooges would get bored and leave them alone. Especially since Alex hadn’t stopped their activities and two more bodies had shown up since Mark’s reveal was made.They were particularly nasty victims too, one having been shaved bald and the calling card carved into their skull while the other had a taunting message for Mark with the words:
So close, no cigar, Mark. Better luck next time.
Carved into the victim’s chest in cursive. It was later revealed both victims were called Mark as well and Morgan had to give Alex props for the drama of it all. “Morgan, some art gallery’s requested you to review their pieces on violating privacy.” Morgan’s editor-in-chief told them dropping a page of information about the gallery in front of them. “I’m not a reporter?” Morgan said confused since they were an editor, they didn’t write, just rewrite. “Yeah but your name’s everywhere and they wanted you specifically so you’re doing it.” Their chief told them and moved on. “Uh, sure, yeah, okay.” Morgan shrugged and looked over to the art beat writer who was staring daggers at them. “I don’t know, I’m sorry…” They grimaced as they writer looked back down to their own work dismissing them. It was nice to have a change of pace to go somewhere other than home and Morgan found the pieces themselves to be mostly data privacy pieces about the government rather than actual stalking. They paused when they saw the photographs that were taken of themselves, specifically the one’s Alex took of Mark watching them and they were titled “Missing You” by Anonymous.Morgan stood there looking around to see if Mark was suddenly going to appear when someone tapped their shoulder. Morgan jumped flinching away from the touch only to slam into a nearby waiter and yelp as they waited to have glasses of champagne dumped on them. The glass shattered on the floor as an arm had clearly battered the tray out of the way. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.” A voice said as Morgan exhaled roughly. “It’s fine, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Morgan apologised quickly not looking up at the waiter as someone brought out a broom. They were embarrassed more than anything as they stepped away from the glass and look up, froze and saw Alex smiling at them. “Are you alright?” They asked. “Ye-yeah, yeah. Hi.” Morgan said smiling a little as the room went back to business.“I’m Alex.” They held out their hand to shake and Morgan blinked before they realised they were pretending to meet them for the first time. “Morgan…” They shook hands and grinned at each other. There was every possibility that Mark had given Morgan’s routine including going to Alex’s house every week to their colleagues, this was risky and dangerous and neither of them cared. This was the first time in weeks they’d gotten to see each other and Alex had clearly set this all up so they might as well enjoy it.They walked around the gallery together and critiqued the art, Morgan actually taking notes since they actually did need to write a piece for this ignoring Alex’s more biting commentary nevermind how funny it was.It got later on into the night and they’d taken a couple turns around the exhibits, enjoyed the free nibbles and wine together and it was discerningly normal evening considering the fact of their relationship is a serial killer and a dedicated murder mystery/horror writer.Alex felt revitalised by the whole night. They’d missed Morgan terribly over the past few weeks and they knew that Morgan had been trying to protect them but Alex didn’t need it and they certainly didn’t want it. They tried not to think about it too hard but oh, it felt like a date and they were trying not to screw it up. Morgan was having fun and Alex may have lined up their cards a little too well to play into the date but Morgan didn’t need to know that, hopefully they would just go along with the plan.“So I’d say tonight’s gone very well.” Alex gave Morgan a sly smile knowing full well they had been dancing around the unspoken conversation all night lest they be heard and their cover blown. “I could agree to that.” Morgan tilted their head wondering where they were going with this. “Well I’ve been thinking of a plan and I wondered if you might consider coming back to my place.” Alex winked at Morgan and the other blushed as they considered it. Morgan knew Alex must’ve had an ulterior motive but there was no way going back to someone’s place they’d supposed just met wouldn’t look like one thing and one thing only to their tails. “Yeah, okay, let’s go.” Morgan gave Alex an intrigued smile as Alex held out their arm to lead them out of the gallery.
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Alex took them back to their house, no-one interfered and there was every reason the cops would believe them to be the Superior killer right now since they’d singled out Morgan. On the other hand, it’d be stupid for a killer like that to pick up their victim.Alex closed the front door and locked it and as they turned back to Morgan they felt a hand press against their chest. “Oh, hi.” Alex swallowed looking down at the hand. “We need to make this believable right?” Morgan gave them a curled smile getting closer to Alex. “Uhuh.” Alex was trying to remember that Morgan could be seen through the window and they were putting on a show and then Morgan’s knee slid between Alex’s and that’s all that was the last coherent thought they had. “Well then, you’ll have to forgive me.” Alex wouldn’t need to forgive Morgan not when Morgan pressed their lips to Alex’s softly testing the waters.Alex gripped the handle they hadn’t let get go of hard trying not to grab Morgan. Their other hand free of anything was unstoppable in Alex’s need to hold Morgan and in an instant their arm wrapped around Morgan’s back pulling them closer.Morgan smiled into the kiss unbothered by Alex’s eagerness as they tilted their head to get a better angle in the kiss. Their hand coiled into Alex’s shirt holding tightly while their other came up holding the side of their neck firm but gentle. Alex’s eyes closed and they gasped when they felt Morgan press closer against them.Alex finally relinquished their hold on the door handle laying it on Morgan’s waist and their hand flexing when Morgan pulled them both back towards the stairs. Morgan let out a yelped laugh as their ankles hit the stairs quicker than they thought they would and tripped back breaking the kiss.Alex caught Morgan slamming a hand down on the stair case to stop them both collapsing because letting Morgan go wasn’t an option worth considering. “Thanks.” Morgan said giving them a smile and Alex was lost. “Oh wow, you’re like really buff, do you work out or is this just from the regular murders?” Morgan asked oblivious and without thinking squeezed Alex’s bicep which was indeed thick and tensed from holding Morgan. “Murders.” Alex answered simply, they weren’t capable of much more than that right now. “We should head up, yeah?” Morgan said trailing their hand up Alex’s arm to the back of their neck.Alex pressed Morgan down onto the staircase and kissed them again and yes, a bed would be great but why would they when Morgan’s already in their arms and they could have them here. Morgan grinned into the kissed, planting their feet either side of Alex’s thighs bent as they wrapped an arm around their back and another sunk into Alex’s hair making Alex groan.After a few minutes of deep kissing Morgan broke away suddenly Alex chasing their lips. “I need air.” Morgan panted through their laughter as Alex huffed impatiently and moved to their neck instead and started to nip at their skin making Morgan gasp as they caught their breath. “Alex…” Morgan sighed as they felt Alex’s tongue run in a line along their throat. “Fuck…this…this is…” Morgan tried to articulate and Alex grinned kissing under their jawline. “Good?” Alex asked smugly and felt Morgan nod just slightly before pushing up against them. “Hurting my back too.” They laughed breathily and Alex chuckled into the crook of their neck.“Okay. Wrap yourself around me.” Alex told them after a moment pulling themselves together. “You gonna carry me?” Morgan sounded thrilled at the prospect and complied easily wrapping their arms and legs around Alex completely. “I’m buff, ‘member.” Alex grinned at them, lifting them in one swift movement as Morgan tightened their hold immediately. Alex adjusted their grip to Morgan’s ass and grinned when the other yelped out a giggle as they pulled them both upright and then carried them easily upstairs.Alex knelt on the bed widthways laying Morgan down underneath them not giving them a second to escape as they descended onto their mouth again drawing a little moan from them. Alex moved their hands from Morgan’s ass to their thighs pulling them in tighter as they had them crossed of their hips as they basically tried to bend them in half. “Trying to snap me.” Morgan complained as their own hands explored Alex’s back trying to drag up their shirt fruitlessly as it was currently pinned by their thighs. “Closer.” Alex murmured in between tongues pressing Morgan further into the mattress. The thought of pulling away meant this might end and Morgan might disappear. Alex pushed in closer again and Morgan winced feeling their bones ache from it.Enough. Morgan thought as they bit Alex’s lip making the other whine, distracting them giving Morgan a moment the gain advantage on them so they could grab Alex’s neck and lower back rolling them putting Morgan on top. Alex made an affronted noise as Morgan pulled back and when Alex reached them Morgan grabbed their wrists and pinned them either side of Alex’s head. Alex swallowed thickly breathing heavily which kiss swollen lips, Morgan looked incredible above them. “We won’t get anywhere if you don’t stop trying to crush me. So. Behave.” Alex shuddered out a breath and gripped the bed cover under their hands tightly restraining themselves. They could’ve thrown them back over and pinned them so easily but what would be the point in that? Morgan looked incredible above them and they already had the best view. Morgan couldn’t move very much with their legs pinned under Alex’s waist their feet just tucked off the side of the bed and they hadn’t even taken their shoes off yet. Nevermind the actual any lights in the room, the only source of it being the moon and the dim old amber streetlights on the road outside. Alex’s feet were now planted firmly on the floor giving them both more stability as Morgan did as they pleased. Alex wasn’t complaining. Morgan leaned down and Alex let out a puff of needy air arching up to kiss them again and whined when they changed course from Alex’s mouth. “Like I said, we won’t get anywhere like this.” Morgan reminded them and moved down past their throat. Alex couldn’t exactly look but they felt as their shirt was tugged by the button and they realised Morgan was using their tongue and teeth to unbutton their shirt.Alex’s head fell back with a thump looking at the blank white ceiling although they definitely couldn’t focus right now. Alex could hardly think let alone move as Morgan’s hands released their wrists one going to their neck the other moving to lift their hips up so they could uncross and release their legs planting one foot on the floor and the other hooked behind Alex’s still bent off the side of the bed.Morgan got a few buttons down exposing Alex’s chest before looking up at them and stroking the juncture between their ear and jaw to get their attention on them again. “You look good like this.” Morgan smiled slyly as they began to lay a trail of kisses up Alex’s chest, to their clavicle, to the base of their neck and then their throat returning the same ministrations Alex had given them earlier.Alex let out a groan from the back of their throat rolling their hips up getting a moan from Morgan as the friction between them made them both gasp. Morgan’s hands tugged the ends of Alex’s shirt from their waist band before they opened the rest of Alex’s shirt as quickly as possible pushing either sides of the fabric apart once done. They kissed and nipped at Alex’s neck once more before sitting back to admire their work and tug their own t-shirt up and over their head easily.Alex had a death grip on the sheets as Morgan bit their lip looking down at them. “You look pretty ruined.” They commented proud of themselves. “Fuck me.” Alex pleaded arching and closing their eyes trying to entice Morgan who smiled as they breathed heavily leaning forward and getting close to their ear. “That’s the idea.” Morgan whispered lasciviously and Alex whined while the other undid their belt and unthreaded it from their slacks quickly throwing it with a clatter into the room.Alex couldn’t help it they turned and caught Morgan’s lips in an urgent kiss still holding the cover because if they held them again it was going to be an endeavour to let go again. Morgan kissed them just as desperately as their own hands clutched at the cover as well. “This next part might be quicker if we–” Morgan started cut off by Alex kissing them and sucking on their tongue quickly before they pulled back again. “Uhuh, yeah, yes.” Alex agreed already pushing up and Morgan pushed up off of them as Morgan reached for the beside light turning it on so they could efficiently pulled off their shoes and laughed as they both ungracefully undressed in their need to be together again.The second Alex tugged their boxers down Morgan was on them pushing them back to the bed both gasping now with nothing between them now. Their half hard cocks brushed against each other and both of them groaned into the kiss as they clutched at each other.“We need-we need-” Morgan tried between kisses and Alex nodded. “Top drawer.” Alex gasped breaking the kiss as they leaned their head back throwing a hand uselessly to the bedside table they couldn’t reach from this angle. Morgan leaned up and over to the drawer crawling over Alex who licked their lips. “Ah Alex!” Morgan collapsed onto their elbows as Alex took the wonderful opportunity to lean up on their own elbows, grip Morgan’s waist and suck their cock into their wet wanting mouth. Morgan uncontrollably dipped their hips down as they moaned feeling Alex’s tongue against them just as it had been in their mouth. They reached down between their legs to grip the top of Alex’s hair as they leaned further forward their chin pressed into the bed unable to keep themselves up.Alex bobbed their head back and forth letting their tongue stroke along the underside of Morgan’s cock while it throbbed to attention in their mouth. Morgan moved with them as Alex controlled their hips just so to keep them on gentle rhythm they wanted. It was only a promise of more to come and they barely had Morgan in their mouth a minute when they held Morgan’s hips still and pulled off licking the head of it’s precum. Morgan shuddered hard in their grasp and they groaned muffled in the cover their face had fallen into. Alex would have to keep them upright, they wouldn’t let Morgan be quiet for this, they wanted to hear them scream. “I wanted a taste.” Alex licked their lips and Morgan moaned as they tried to get their wits about them again while Alex started to stroke and kiss their thighs distractingly.The only thing that broke Morgan out of it was the absurd thought that Alex’s core strength must be amazing to keep their curled position and they let out a huffed short laugh as they pulled away and moved forward again finally getting to the bedside table and pulled open the drawer with a triumphant noise. “Oh, a knife?” Morgan asked reaching further into the drawer gingerly around the blade. “Oh, yeah, sorry.” Alex gave them a breathy laugh curling round onto their front so they could watch Morgan properly. “Ready for anything I guess.” They chuckled grabbing the condoms and lube as needed, tossing them back towards Alex and bumped the drawer closed as they slid off the bed. Alex’s heart dropped at the thought of Morgan leaving but it was a short lived fear as they walked quickly over to the curtains and drew them closed.Alex could tell what they were doing and they grinned as they followed them quickly getting to Morgan just as they started to turn back around. “For a bit of priv-WhOA!” Morgan laughed as Alex picked them up into a bridal carry, swung round fully and chucked them back on the bed. “That could’ve ended badly.” Morgan grinned trying to sit up when Alex knelt onto the bed. “No, it wouldn’t, I won’t hurt you.” Alex grabbed their ankles and pulled them either side of their waist. “Eager.” Morgan grinned their eyes flickering down to Alex’s lips. “Absolutely.” Alex smiled brightly and leaned forward kissing them again as they gently threaded their fingers into Morgan’s hair to keep the kiss deep. Alex reached without breaking the kiss and grabbed the lube and condoms before leaning back spreading their knees apart to push Morgan’s further apart. Morgan sighed into the kiss lifting their hips resting angling them against Alex so they could have better access. Alex grabbed the lube and popped the cap with their thumb before turning it in their fingers and getting a dollop on their palm. They coated their hand with the thick liquid and rubbing it between their palm and fingers getting them warmed and covered. “You want this?” Alex broke the kiss briefly to ask and Morgan was already nodding. “Yes!” Morgan said enthusiastically and kissed them again trying to push their hips up as invitingly as possible. Alex smiled into the kissed and pressed their finger inside them and Morgan moaned hard into the kiss their eyes clenching. Alex pulled away from their mouth, they needed to hear them and so they started leaving a row of kisses along Morgan’s jaw as the other rolled their head back into the mattress their eyes closed tightly. “You good?” Alex asked steadying their hand and Morgan gave them an affirmative noise first before clearing their throat. “Yeah…yeah…keep going.” They said breathing hard and steady.Alex prepped them opening them up with one and then two, and then scissoring and spreading them open checking in with Morgan who got more and more desperate with each stroke of their fingers. Alex had kept their other hand cupping the side of Morgan’s face stroking their cheek gently with their thumb and Morgan had placed their own hand on top of Alex’s mimicking the motion as they followed Alex’s rhythm both their thumb and hips. Alex loved watching them fall apart as they tried time and time again to get closer and closer to Alex. Morgan whined when Alex would press them down and keep their pace slow and Morgan knew they were trying not to hurt them but fuck, Morgan wanted more.When Alex felt Morgan was ready they pulled their fingers out to the others pitiful loss and wiped their fingers on the covers to get rid of the lube as they reached for the box. “If you don’t want this Morgan, tell me now.” Alex said seriously and Morgan glared at them. “Don’t you fucking dare stop.” Morgan growled out and in a burst of strength grabbed Alex pulling them down into a fervent hard kiss teeth clattering as Morgan lapped at their tongue.Alex moaned and grabbed the condoms trying to blindly put one on. When that didn’t work they pulled away from Morgan’s lips the other panting as they waited impatiently as they put the condom on, they weren’t fully erect having been neglected for so long while Alex prepped Morgan but that would be easy enough to fix.“Give me your hand.” Alex demanded grabbed Morgan’s hand that had been gripping their upper arm while their hand was inside them. Morgan got the message and quickly sat up and started stroking them. Alex gasped the pleasure hitting them after being left out for so long and their thighs trembled from it as they collapsed a bit. Morgan grabbed them and pushed them so they were sat back against the headboard. “I’ve got you.” Morgan said kneeling their legs bent either side of Alex’s. Morgan pressed their forehead against Alex’s. “I thought about this, alone at night. Thought about you.” They confessed as they stroked the other who inhaled sharply rolling their hips into Morgan’s hand. “Thought about you fucking me.” Morgan grabbed Alex’s hand and placed it on the curve of their arse and without thinking Alex pulled them closer. “Riding you until I came.” Morgan’s lips ghosted across theirs lips and Alex’s mouth felt so dry. “You coming inside me.” Alex was hard as a rock as Morgan stopped stroking them and thumbed the slit of their head. “I need it, Alex, please, need you.” Morgan’s let out a sharp puff of breath as they spoke and Alex snapped.They grabbed Morgan’s hips and Morgan let go grabbing the headboard as Alex quickly lined up and pushed inside of them. Alex clenched their eyes shut and groaned wanting this to last. Morgan tossed their head back moaning hard as they were finally connected.Alex was able to open their eyes blinking rapidly as pushed further inside of Morgan and they saw Morgan’s arm tremble. “Good?” Alex checked in and adjusted matching Alex as they pushed down as well. “Amazing…you?” Morgan breathed and looked at Alex hungrily. “Heaven.” Alex agreed with just as intense stare back.When Alex was fully inside Morgan they gave them a moment before rolling their hips and both moaned collapsing toward each other as Alex was unable to stop themselves from doing it again although they restrained themselves a third time. “Alex!” Morgan huffed frustrated and pushed back to look at them sternly. “I’m not glass, fuck me.” They ordered and Alex didn’t need to be told again.Alex gripped Morgan’s hips tightly and pulled out and slammed them down and Morgan saw stars. Alex planted their feet on the bed properly and used the leverage to push up relentlessly into Morgan who was holding onto their shoulders for dear life as they bounced on Alex’s cock.Alex was delighted to find that Morgan had no shame when it came to being loud in bed as they let every moan, whine, gasp escape those brilliant lips. Alex especially loved it when Morgan would cry their name and could only parrot Morgan’s own name back to them, calling out to each other as they fucked. Morgan’s hands digging into Alex’s shoulders as they could barely keep their head up. Alex held them in a vice grip around their waist as they pushed and pulled in and out of Morgan.“Alex…Alex…please…fuck, close.” Morgan gasped out unable to articulate properly but Alex knew what they needed as they readjusted their grip. They supported Morgan’s back with one hand and with the other they dragged a nail along the side of their hip before starting to stroke their cock. “Yes, yes!” Morgan moaned gratefully.With less of a handle on their hips their rhythm became erratic as they both frantically chased their pleasure. Alex leaned forward kissing and nipping at Morgan’s neck as they rode their cock and fucked their hand. “Alex! Alex! ALEX!” Morgan screamed coming between them and Alex stuttered feeling Morgan’s cum splash against their chest as they stroked them through their orgasm. Alex tried to rein in their own thrusts but it was hard when Morgan felt so perfect around them.Alex tried to bring a string a full sentence together while they still pumped their cock into Morgan who whined against them. “Do you need–fuck–need–” They struggled, Morgan was so fucking amazing on them. “Don’t stop, I want you to cum in me, use me.” Morgan fell back and Alex followed them as the other spread themselves lazily and rolled their hips into Alex’s thrusts.Alex grabbed their waist again and with a final burst fucked Morgan feeling their whole body start to tense. “Morgan! Morgan! Morgan!” They yelled digging their nails into Morgan’s hips who moaned as they watched came hard their body coming to a halt as they fell forward and laid down on Morgan.Gently Alex pulled out both wincing as Morgan felt empty and Alex felt the loss of their warmth. Alex dropped to the side rolling onto their back as they both recovering breathing hard from the exertion. “Was that as mindblowing for you as it was for me?” Morgan asked pretty cocksure of the answer. “Yes…yes…yes…” Alex tried to keep their eyes open with that being all they could give in reply. “You’ve only give me one word answers for like an hour.” The best they’ve had is maybe five words but Morgan’s considering that as more of an achievement if anything. “Uhuh, yeah…” Alex said tried to get any blood back to their brain and Morgan let out a breathy laugh. “I’m gonna clean up, back in a minute.” Morgan kissed them on the shoulder more as a head-butt as they shakenly stood off the bed and went over to the ensuite.They cleaned themselves up and after several minutes came back finding Alex in more of less the same position as before although looking significantly less dazed and the lube and condoms box were gone again.They brought out a wet flannel slapping it on Alex chest who groaned out a laugh as Morgan pulled on their underwear and massaged their sore legs. “You’re stay here right?” Alex asked as they wiped down their chest. “Yeah, your house is just fucking cold. It’s like an ice box in here.” Morgan chuckled as Alex laughed as well leaning down to grab their own boxers.Morgan very pointedly went over to Alex’s wardrobe, picked out a thick comfortable jumper and put it on. It was big on them and something utterly feral in Alex snapped as they subsequently dragged Morgan back to the bed as they laughed. “Wait, wait, I should brush my teeth first, do you have a spare?” Morgan asked of course Alex didn’t, they didn’t have guests and Morgan sighed from a look. “Can I use yours then?” They asked. “Ew, no.” Alex recoiled immediately and Morgan wheezed. “Well, okay, how about this? I’m gonna have your dick in my mouth in the morning so I feel like sharing a toothbrush won’t matter by then.” Morgan suggested and kissed Alex briefly licking along their lips. “Yeah, uh yeah…” Alex nodded and swallowed snapping out of it. “Fine, but I’ll get you your own after that, onetime thing.” Alex told them. “Works for me.” Morgan pecked them on the lips and went back to the bathroom. As soon as they out of full line of sight Alex held their head in their hands panicking before steeling themselves.“Are you always like this, in this situation?” They asked louder picking up clothes from the floor to busy themselves as Morgan gave their teeth a once over. “You mean when I fuck someone?” They asked a little muffled having their mouth as they spit and rinsed. “Yes.” Alex smiled fondly. “If you mean irresistible, then yeah.” Alex did find Morgan irresistible and it was probably as obvious as the Sun rising each morning to anyone who looked. They didn’t exactly expect tonight to happen but they wouldn’t change a thing about it.“Mark’s a fucking moron.” Alex whispered to themselves but unfortunately Morgan came through at that moment and heard anyway. They grinned. “Mmm, maybe if Mark got the opportunity. I normally like to be wine and dined first and he never quite made the cut, ya know?” Morgan slipped their arm around Alex’s waist and pulled them in close. “And I did?” Alex did infiltrate a whole art gallery just so they could see create a meet cute with Morgan but they didn’t exactly bring them a steak with it. “Mmm, not in the traditional sense I guess, but you had my back with Mark and you didn’t ditch me when the cops showed up.” They kissed Alex gently. “I’m gonna protect you.” Alex promised seriously completely gone on Morgan.“Careful Alex we won’t make it to morning with that attitude.” Morgan winked and looking down quickly before they looked back up. “Do we have to?” Alex asked laughing nervously. “We should get some rest, go brush your teeth.” Morgan side stepped away from them and smacked them on the arse sending them to the ensuite before getting into bed.Alex picked up their toothbrush and was hit with the overwhelming knowledge that Morgan had just been using it. They bit their lip with a smile before shaking their head. Stop it, you just had sex with them this isn’t the thing you should be obsessing over. Alex scolded themselves and got ready for bed.They joined Morgan and settled in for the night turning off the light, whispering ‘goodnights’ to each other as the house rested in pitch black quiet. Alex watched Morgan fall asleep they’d love to fall asleep with them but tonight wasn’t over for Alex yet.
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Alex waited a while after they’d settled down, they didn’t want to leave but now they had someone to protect and needs must. Morgan had become far more important to them in this short amount of time than anyone ever had. And Alex couldn’t lose them.They did need a moment to get the will to actually leave the bed, since it was considerably harder with Morgan in their arms while they spooned. Alex started to shuffle back when Morgan tightened their hold on Alex’s arms immediately. “Where’re you going?” Morgan asked their voice whiny and thick with near sleep. “I’ll be back, have to take care of some business.” Alex promised pecking the back of their head as they crouched low by the bed. “Mmm fine…” Morgan relented grumbling as they relinquished their grasp on Alex’s arms. Alex could’ve crushed their skull with how cute they were being but there were more important matters to deal with first. Alex stayed low in the darkness house as they moved downstairs. The streetlights outside were not nearly powerful enough with their dim amber glow to give any view into the house; another reason Alex had chosen this place. Still as a precaution with the downstairs curtains still parted they kept low to the floor opening and slinking down into the depths of their basement. Once out of sight complete underground they were able to easily grab their kit and get changed for a hunt. They came out through their factory exit and made their way to the street side behind the car peering where the surveillance car was parked across the road and off a bit from Alex’s house. Unexpectedly the two seemed to have been inspired by Alex and Morgan and were in the back of the car one on top of the other. It was then Alex got an idea on how to deal with Morgan’s tails and they took out a camera taking an unflashed photo of the two of them making sure to get their faces in the dim light. In any case, those two were not Alex’s targets tonight, they were their alibi. Alex walked down a few blocks to a garage they owned in the dark of the night drove off in their car towards the inner city. It was a short 20 mins at this time in the day and no traffic in sight and left their car on a poorly lit street that was purely residential with no CCTV near it.Alex checked they had everything they needed before leaving the car there before walking the rest of the way to Mark’s apartment block. They found the security detail staking out Mark’s apartment easily enough they were in a sort of run-down looking van two of them looking out and Alex would wager there’d be at least one more inside the back. Unfortunately, they wouldn’t be of much use as Alex snuck around the back of the van, looped a bungee cord around the handle, quietly looped it around the side slide door of the van and hooked it taut around a nearby bollard. It might not hold them forever but Alex only needed a few minutes. The two in the front hadn’t noticed their ministrations around the van the radio on inside giving them ample cover. They were planning on making some kind of noise to get one of them to come out but before they could even formulate a plan one of them opened the side door to stumble out. Alex ducked low to the back of the van while one of them stumbled over to a nearby alleyway. They gently lowered their bag to the floor and took out a belt of blue syringes all filled with a drug that would knock them out in seconds.Perfect. Alex thought as they threw their distraction the other side of the van to grab the person still inside at the driver’s side. In an instant as the noise took the person’s attention inside the van Alex was at the mouth of the alleyway stalking up to the cop taking a leak against the wall. Alex grabbed him from behind and before he could even react jabbed them in the neck with a needle and he dropped to the floor, Alex grabbed his hat on the way down. After a moment of checking he was completely out they pulled their hood down and put the hat on making their way to the van. In the darkness surrounding the van purposefully not put underneath any streetlights, they had another syringe ready in their hand as they opened the door and in one smooth moment climbed inside across the seats, they closed the small window to the back of the van and with their other hand stabbed the needle into the neck of the driver. There was a yell from the other side of the closed window as the driver tensed ready to fight only to immediately collapse. Alex pushed the needle deeper just to push their head against the window rather than the horn on the wheel. Alex now heard one more person start to try the slide door as they moved back into the passenger’s seat, they opened the little window and saw as they moved back to the window quickly and gripped the edges of the window to try and get a better look.“What the fuck-AGH!” They screamed as Alex gripped their wrist dragging it through the window and slammed their forearm down snapping their arm in two. “Don’t worry this’ll help the pain.” Alex said and stabbed him with a third syringe, they whimpered and struggled for a moment before slumping down and thumping their head forehead against the metal partition. Alex gathered all three of them and put them in the back of the van before grabbing their own bag and closing all the doors looking round for any witnesses. No-one the world was dead this late and it was Alex’s favourite time of the day. They checked around the van for anything useful and most of it was just cameras around the building, including inside Mark’s apartment. Wonderful. Alex worked with the console for a bit and turned off each camera one by one leaving the bedroom till last.As a precaution Alex pulled out some red taped syringes and injected those into the three cops’ necks, they weren’t the main event and now Alex had an idea of what to do with them they could kill them, plus it meant they couldn’t wake up and disrupt while Alex was with Mark. Honestly, colour coding the syringes had been a lifesaver in making sure they were wasting materials. All three gurgled and Alex watched and waited as the life left them and then they searched the van for information on Mark finding a set of spare keys to his apartment on the driver.They locked up the van and with their head low they headed inside, they found Mark’s apartment and unlocked it easily slipping inside and dead bolting the door. They took a few minutes to survey the flat and figure out where they wanted to stage him before they got to work.Mark was a heavy sleeper and didn’t even shift when Alex opened his door and loomed over him in the darkness. Alex took out a paralysis drug filled needle and jabbed him with it, Mark woke up immediately starting to yell as he swung at Alex who ripped the syringe back and shoved it needle first down his throat. Mark choked recoiling from it as they fought back against Alex who could already tell the paralysis was taking effect.“No-one’s coming to help you. They’re already dead and Morgan? They’re mine.” Alex grinned maliciously dragging his limp body off the bed and throwing him over their shoulder as he tried and failed to struggle. “Now the wonderful thing about this drug is that you can’t do anything but you can feel everything.” Alex told him as they dropped him limply onto his sofa and grabbing their bag. “Since you seem so fond of manipulating people I think the best course of action is to make a puppet out of you.” Alex said pulling out a sewing needle normally used for sewing boat sails. “Although I will need to take your tongue first so you don’t swallow it by accident.” Alex said offhandedly taking out a scalpel.Alex propped him up as he stared at them with terrified locked in eyes. “You’ll serve a greater purpose Mark, and don’t worry, I can make them happy.” It was probably the last thing Mark was worried about right now but his life was as good as over as they got to work.They did cut his tongue out like they said and he bled all over himself and his mouth as Alex propped him forward slumped over like a ragdoll. They rolled up some bandages and pushed it into his mouth simultaneously staunching the blood and muffling whatever screams could still be made from his vocal cords.Like sewing along a seam Alex started one end of Mark’s palms and sewed along his arm at 5 inch intervals between each hole, the needle was long and thick steel to be able to push through his skin, muscle and pull through the thick thread. They went up his left arm, across his shoulder, clavicle and other shoulder and then down his right arm going back up again out of the centre of his shoulder blades. They kept enough thread loose between each stitch so that when Alex pulled both arms they bent.The entire time Alex worked did this Mark was there crying out especially when they took two fishing hooks and hooked them into his scalp so they could leverage his head. They repeated the same for his legs as he gurgled while they pushed the thick point through his muscles. Each part of him shaking unable to move, unable to react. They turned him over and propped his head to the side so he could still breathe no point in him suffocating when they still wanted him to bleed to death and he’d already lost a lot of blood. This would probably be Mark’s final moment as Alex relished carved the message to leave behind into his back. With each new trail of blood pouring out of the wounds eventually it was too much and he stopped moving or making any noise. Mark was gone and Alex smiled having taken another life.
I don’t like liars. I do like Morgan, I’ll leave them alive. Superior
Alex took particular care with Morgan’s name mainly for their own satisfaction and once they were done it was time for the final part of the drama. They hooked the rest of his thread up over curtain rails, doors and a bookcase testing it a few times to check it would work.Mark was suspended in his living room with his limbs kept like he was running while his head was tilted and held to the side as if he were looking behind him. With a tug on any of the thread pulleys the limb would move up or down as if a marionette’s strings were pulled.It only took them a couple hours in total and it was still early hours of the morning, plenty of time to get home and back to bed before the Sun rose.They figured the van was probably tracked so drove it back to their car, loaded the bodies into the boot of the car and left the van unlocked with the keys inside open to the street. Any equipment inside would be gone in a few hours and with any luck the van would be to. Alex would be long gone by then. Alex switched their lights off as they turned onto the empty industrial estate and parked inside their abandoned factory, one by one they dragged the bodies down into the basement of their house and put them in the Storage freezer. Alex took their car back to lockup where they could clean it out later before going back to the basement. Alex could deal with the bodies later, they needed some more kit first. Right now they had warm body upstairs they wanted to go cuddle and still needed to wash off Mark’s blood so they threw their bloodied clothes in a bucket of solution to start soaking off the blood. Then they washed down quickly getting the blood out of their hair and off from under their nails. Finally, they crept back upstairs and they were back at Morgan’s side as they crawled into bed again holding them close. “Where’d you go?” Morgan mumbled after being jostled awake and seeing the time. “Took care of our problems, go back to sleep, I’m exhausted.” Alex held them tightly sighing against them as they could finally relax. “Tell me later.” Morgan murmured settling against them and Alex made a small noise of agreement before promptly falling asleep.
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Morgan woke up first unsurprisingly since Alex decided to go on a midnight jaunt but they could only imagine for one thing. Now, this should be a problem and to any regular person it might be. However, finding Alex had been a last ditch effort to make their life mean something and they figured if they wound up dead then that was better than being found when their landlord tried to evict them and found them in the bath.Ironically, Alex had brought life back to Morgan, they were writing again to start with. After they’d published their book independently of their family and proved and it would do well they found that it didn’t work. The hole they’d been trying to fill with their family’s respect was never going to fill up and Morgan didn’t know where to go from there. Maybe they could’ve done something to fix themselves but why bother? They weren’t needed in this world.Then they’d met Alex and they didn’t fix anything with Morgan if anything their death wish got worse. But they weren’t alone anymore. They’d been isolated for so long they’d forgotten what is was like to talk to someone regularly and suddenly they were inspired to write. Not just inspired but giddy to write, like the kind they felt when they were a kid and wanted to rewrite the ending of a book they didn’t like and then ended up having a better idea for.It definitely selfish and they’re probably going to deepest depths of hell if it exists but they don’t want to lose Alex and if that means looking the other way to their hobby. Sure, why not? They’ve never connected or related so much to one person so quickly and in their jaded shrivelled little heart it thinks what if soulmates exist? A terrifying concept to be sure but the fact stands here they are in Alex’s arms, the Sun breaking through slivers in the curtains and they are happy.Morgan’s mind has already made it’s decision before they could have any conscious effect on it and they close their eyes and enjoy the warm comforting arm holding them like they are the most precious thing in the world. If just for a little bit longer until the day has to start. When Alex awakes their arms are empty but they hear life from downstairs which is foreign and new territory for them considering they haven’t shared their bed for a while and never in this house. Still it’s not alarming, it’s nice. They’ve come to terms with it now, Morgan’s in their heart, rooted in thickly with no chance of being extracted with killing the rest of Alex with it.Alex cannot be without Morgan now which is incredibly dangerous for their line of work. Making connections is tempting fate, getting so involved with them is asking for trouble. And yet. The idea of Morgan being taken from them is unthinkable and Alex is already coming up with the great lengths they will go to keep them. Getting rid of the police is the first step and then hopefully Alex can convince them to move in because they’re finding out they’re actually incredibly needy and Morgan living thirty minutes away in the city is too far.That being said they get up, get ready for the day and join Morgan downstairs still in their boxers and – Alex pauses for a moment because they’d forgotten – Alex’s jumper.Morgan turns and holds out a cup of coffee for Alex over the little island of counters in their kitchen. They looked pretty at home which worked for Alex immensely. “I got hungry, hope you don’t mind.” Morgan motioned their head to the toaster currently toasting away. “No problem…Thank you.” Alex took the mug and sipped.“Bitter.” They grimaced. “You take sugar?” Morgan said reaching back and grabbing the sugar bowl by the kettle. “And milk, how do you drink this?” Alex asked adding their own amounts, normally they preferred tea but this would do. “Years of destroying my taste buds to eat the unhealthiest shit imaginable so I could survive.” They said dramatically and Alex chuckled.“So last night?” Morgan asked over their own mug of coffee. “Pretty fucking great.” Alex smiled at them. “No…well. Yes. That was incredible, but after that.” They prompted and Alex nodded in realisation. “Right…yeah, so…” Alex cleared their throat. “Mark’s dealt with and I got three feds in the basement.” Alex told them easily because if Morgan was going to have a problem with it better be now. “Alive?!” Morgan asked immediately concerned. “Of course not.” Alex shook their head. “Oh…Shit.” Morgan blew out a breath leaning forward onto the counter, only to move when the toaster popped. Alex did not react as they stared intensely at the machine.“Four in one night? Fucking hell, Alex, I guess I need to work harder to tire you out.” Morgan let out a chuckle going to make breakfast and Alex couldn’t help laughing as well. “I have a lot of stamina.” They bragged and Morgan started spreading some of the butter and jam they’d found in Alex’s fridge on the toast. “No shit. So, what’s the plan?” Morgan asked liking a bit of butter off their finger and Alex followed the movement closely.“How involved do you want to be?” Alex asked contemplatively. “I don’t want to kill anyone or…deface a corpse?” Morgan told them and slid a plate across the counter to them. “Thanks. I’m going to use those feds to scare off your friend’s outside.” Alex nodded towards the front of the house. “How…?” Morgan asked worried that Alex was about to dump some corpses on a cop car right outside their house.Alex smiled and told them the plan as they ate breakfast. “You’re fucking crazy.” Morgan grinned and let out a short laugh. “You’re smiling.” Alex said unable to hold their own smile back. “I fucking love it, what do you need me to do?” Morgan asked excitedly. “Keep coming back here every night, I need them to be outside and they’ll never even consider me let alone suspect you.” Alex had absolutely devised the epicentre of this plan in Morgan staying for at least a week at their place which gave Alex plenty of time to convince them living here would be a great idea. “Done.” Morgan grinned.“Whatever will we do every night? I think I can figure something out.” They gave Alex a salacious smile. “And evening, whenever you get off work is good.” Alex pushed because they didn’t want Morgan to leave nevermind anywhere else. “I’m gonna need to go home and get changed eventually.” Morgan walked round the counter and wrapped their arms around Alex. “Bring it all here, I don’t care.” Alex actually cared very much but Morgan didn’t seem to need that much convincing with the way they beamed at them.“You know Alex, I gotta ask.” Morgan leaned back and Alex leaned into them pressing them against the counter. “Hmm?” Alex was incredibly distracted by Morgan’s hands roaming their lower back right now. “Why on Earth did you bother getting dressed?” Morgan gripped the bottom of their shirt and pulled it free of their waistband. Like a dam being broken Alex kissed them and in a rush they both sprinted back upstairs. Despite Alex’s message left on Mark the police did not heed it and Morgan walked out of work that Monday (after what had been an excellent weekend with Alex) and found themselves hauled off to Mark’s precinct.Morgan knew how this worked, funnily enough when it comes to lawsuits their family upbringing had prepared them better than any convicted criminal could of. “I won’t speak to you without my lawyer present.” Were the first words out of Morgan’s mouth. “Feeling guilty are we?” A cop said and Morgan gave him a dumb look as they tapped their lips. “I will not speak to you without my lawyer present.” They spoke slowly as if talking to a five year old and he glared at them. They only had one phone call and had used it to ring the only person they knew with a law degree who might show up. They sat there bored as hell for another hour before the door opened again and Sydney walked in. “What have you done now?” She said immediately. With Morgan being the disappointment of the family, their parents had been happy to ignore Sydney and she was able to pursue her own passion of arguing better than anyone else in the room. She was technically a publishing specialist and still worked for the family dynasty but a law degree is a law degree and she’d do it pro bono for Morgan. “Got stalked by a cop.” Morgan sighed and glared at the two-way glass. “What?” She asked sitting down across from them. “Haven’t done anything else so I can only assume they’re trying to scare me.” Morgan didn’t like lying to Sydney but they needed to stick with the script and right now they knew nothing. “Why didn’t you tell me?” She asked seriously. “I thought I’d dealt with it, apparently not.” They gestured vaguely around. “Okay, fine, let’s get them in and we’ll see what they’re trying to detain you with. You’ve not been charged?” She stood and went over to the door and knocked on it. “Not to my knowledge, no-one read me my rights.” Morgan said as the door opened from outside. “Okay, great, they’ve already wasted two hours then.” She said straight into the face of the officer waiting outside the door. Two officers came in both looking incredibly stern and one with a folder tucked under their arm. “Why have you brought us here today?” Sydney asked starting off not waiting for them to lead. “Where have you been since Friday throughout the weekend?” One of them asked. “At a friend’s.” Sydney gave them a look, to be fair to her, Morgan didn’t have any friends. “They’d be willing to confirm that?” The second prompted. “I hope so.” Morgan shrugged, they figured Alex would probably be willing to tell them in detail all of the fun they’d had that weekend. “Do not ignore me, what is this regarding?” Sydney pushed and the one with the folder pulled out the crime scene photos from Mark’s apartment slamming them on the table in front of them. Sydney winced this wasn’t exactly her day to day. “A cop is dead and your name is carved into his body.” Alex had neglected to tell Morgan that part and so the surprise on their face is as genuine as it is horrifying. “Holy shit…” Morgan leaned forward and looked at the message Alex left them. “What is your relationship to the Superior killer?” They could forgive Sydney for not interfering she must’ve been so curious too. “I didn’t know I had one, honestly.” Morgan shrugged and saw one of them tense, clearly aggravated by their nonchalance. “You know I wouldn’t be this mess if your guy hadn’t stalked me.” Morgan pushed, they wanted him to snap. “He put a target on both of us.” They added insult to injury and could see the vein pop in his forehead. “Shut it!” He yelled slamming his fist on the metal table. “Do not speak to my client like that!” Sydney defended immediately.“Remove yourself from this interrogation we will not be badgered like this.” She ordered and stared him down before his colleague took his arm gently. “Send in Rogers.” He told him and Morgan watched with a carefully blank face as he scrunched up his face and stormed out of the room. A moment later another older officer, presumably Rogers, came in and joined the other who’d stayed. “Apologies for the outburst, Mark was one of our own. Emotions are high.” He explained. “An unacceptable reason to take it out on my client.” Sydney stared at him and Morgan was so goddamn proud of her. “Absolutely, we just want you to answer as fully as you’re able.” He said placating and she nodded to Morgan. “Sure.” Morgan nodded back.“You’ve not been to your home residence for three night’s correct?” Rogers started and Morgan was already going to use that one as the first cop took notes. “No, I went back Saturday to get some clothes.” They said truthfully, also Alex had a thing about their toothbrush. “And you’ve been staying with?” He prompted. “Alex, my new partner.” Partner IN CRIME that is. Morgan thought more to their own amusement than anything. “How long have you known them?” Sydney gave Morgan a side eye curious herself and Morgan gave her a little grimacing smile. “Uh, since Friday.” They lied easily knowing Mark had never really taken an interest in Alex like the killer had some kind of disarming camouflage. Morgan certainly forgot they were a serial killer over the past couple days multiple times. “How long ago did you break up with Mark?” The first cop, Denver, going by his badge asked.“How is my client’s love life relevant?” Sydney interjected and good because Morgan was trying to remember, like a month. It didn’t seem to matter so much now Alex was there. “Their previous boyfriend dies the same night they meet someone new, it’s a little suspect.” He explained and Sydney looked at Morgan who stared ahead. “We weren’t actually dating though, were we? I was just a case to Mark.” They said unable to hide their own resentment.“How do you know I’ve not been home since Friday?” Morgan asked suddenly and Denver looked at Rogers. “I’m asking the questions here.” Rogers said. “Because I distinctly remember saying to Mark if I was followed I’d sue for harassment.” Morgan followed up already knowing he’d fucked up. “We’re trying to help you.” Denver said suddenly and Morgan glared at him. They don’t give a shit about Morgan and everyone in this precinct fucking knows it. “No, you’re trying to use me as bait and from what it looks like, this killer isn’t going to take it.” Morgan tapped the photo in front of them of Mark’s back, specifically where it said that they didn’t like liars. “You’re actively putting me in danger just to satisfy your own revenge and if I die, that’s on all of you watching right now.” Morgan sat back and folded their arms.“How long have they been following you, Morgan?” Sydney asked carefully furious. “Few months, maybe longer?” Morgan told her and she turned that cold stare to the cops. “You were a suspect in an ongoing–” Rogers started to defend. “Were. When did they become not a suspect?” She cut him off. “We’re not at liberty to discuss an ongoing investigation.” “Hm. An ongoing FBI investigation too, interesting that your precinct has so much to do with this.”“I want to confer with my client. Get out.” Sydney told them and did not back down until they left.She turned to Morgan. “So. Alex?” She asked her eyes glittering. “Really, that’s your hang up?” Morgan sighed fondly. “Oh please, they’re grasping at useless straws, you’re not even involved. Some cop pissed off a killer and got whacked for it, they’re just wasting everyone’s time but it’s also getting me out of work.” She shrugged and smiled at them brightly. “They can only detain you for twenty-four hours, so, tell me all about Alex.” She tapped their arm rhythmically and they scoffed at her as she acted like they were in a coffee shop. “Never change Syd…fine! Okay!” Morgan relented and delved into this whirlwind thing they had with Alex leaving out the obvious implicating truths.“Wow, just from a weekend?” She asked in disbelief which to be fair to her she’d never seen Morgan warm up to anyone so quickly in their entire lives let alone be this infatuated with them. “I know, it’s crazy, they wanted me to come back after work as well.” Morgan grinned conspiratorially with her. “Are they hot?” She asked obviously. “Yeah, like a fucking Greek god.” Morgan widened their eyes smiling at her. “They’re so good with their hands it’s crazy.” They added thinking about Alex cleaning away at the sink in their basement. “Augh! No, I don’t need to know that!” Sydney recoiled with a grimace and Morgan laughed. That’s not what Morgan meant but…yeah also that. “What time is it?” Morgan asked realising how late it must be. “Seven, twenty-two.” Sydney said looking at her watch. “Ah shit they probably think I’ve stood them up…I can’t even text them.” Morgan slumped in their chair. “I’m sure they’ll understand.” She patted them on the shoulder. “Yeah, I just wish the first good thing to happen to me in so long wasn’t being overshadowed by these assholes.” They sighed and she patted their arm. To be fair, it was 100% Alex’s fault that Morgan was in this room with them being the murderer on the loose and all. “We’ll sort it, we always do.” Syd patted their arm.“So, how was the shit show when you told mom and dad you were visiting me in jail?” Morgan asked leaning back and she looked away immediately, Syd may be a fantastic lawyer but she was shit when she lied to them. “Oh my god, Syd you didn’t tell them?” Morgan asked laughing. “I came straight here, I’ll do it–” She cut off when the door opened again and only relaxed when another lawyer walked in.“Hi, Morgan, Sydney?” She asked and they both nodded confused. “I’m Alex’s attorney, Penelope, and they’ve asked me to take on your case.” Morgan blinked, for starters they don’t remember telling Alex they had a sister and, how did Alex know they were here? “Oh well, I mean, Syd’s got me covered.” Morgan said confused pointing to their sister. “Alex is already paying me, don’t worry. No offence to you of course, but, with these idiots, well let’s just say I eat bacon for breakfast.” She winked at them both and they laughed. “Wait here, I’ll have you out in ten.” Penelope said and popped back out the door.True to her word not ten minutes later Morgan was walking out beside Sydney with a bunch of angry chastised cops avoiding their eyes. Alex was stood by the entrance looking entirely too pleased with themselves. “Thanks Pen, till next time.” Alex nodded to her and she smiled with a nod. “I do love this job sometimes, nice meeting you both.” She nodded and just as quickly as she came she was gone not a soul in the place meeting her eyes as she walked.“Why do you need a lawyer?” Morgan asked they didn’t think Alex had ever been picked up on any criminal charge let alone the felonies they’ve committed. “I own a lot of property and a few companies too.” Alex told them easily and Sydney’s held back a smile. “Of course. How’d you know I was here?” Morgan asked unable to keep back their own smile. “You didn’t show and I figured it was that prick, Mark’s, fault somehow.” Alex winked at them and Morgan laughed to themselves. “You must be Sydney, hi, I’m Alex.” Alex shook her hand with a pleasant smile, clearly trying to make a good impression. “You certainly know a lot for one weekend.” Sydney said lightly suspicious. “What can I say, we clicked.” Alex chuckled. “It’s easy to talk to Alex.” Morgan admitted and got a soft smile in return.“Well, I guess my work here’s done. We’ll chat later Morgan, yeah?” Sydney said knocking their arm. “Of course, thanks for coming Syd.” They gave her a side hug of appreciation. “Always, and don’t get murdered.” She said lightly although she meant it completely. “I’ll protect them, don’t worry.” Alex grinned slipping their arm around Morgan’s waist making them laugh. Syd gave Morgan an odd smile and bid them both goodbye before they started off towards Alex’s.“Do you think she liked me?” Alex asked. “Why you interested?” Morgan shot back quickly. “Always good to get on the in-laws good side.” Alex smiled coyly at them, it’s always worth planting a seed. “We’re married now?” Morgan asked bemused. “Too soon?” Alex asked holding onto them and kissing the side of their head quickly. “Well I tell you what, get on my parent’s good side and I’m leaving you immediately.” Morgan nodded because if they’re partner wasn’t as much as a disappointment as Morgan was then they clearly weren’t compatible. “You’re completely serious, aren’t you?” Alex said betraying their light tone. “Maybe.” Morgan nodded all the same. “Guess they’re gonna fucking hate me, then.” Alex shrugged and Morgan laughed throwing their head back.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Over the next month, Morgan went back to pretending to be oblivious of their tails and spent most of their time with Alex. Pretty much every single day Morgan would come over to Alex’s with some exceptional whining if they didn’t because it got too late at work. It was nice to be wanted. When Sydney rang them up to extol their new status as a sugar baby Morgan had balked at her but it was kind of true. Alex did really err into the money not being an issue thing and Morgan has always been proud of being self-made but if their partner wants to pay for everything why stop them? Alex seemed to not care about money at all which Morgan knew couldn’t be true if they’d managed to pull all of this off. Oddly enough, Morgan trusted Alex better than anyone they’d ever met. Despite the obvious not to Alex had done to work to gain their trust and Morgan couldn’t help it if they were falling for Alex hook, line, and sinker. If it was all some major plot to betray them then Morgan had walked into this expecting death anyway so nothing gained nothing lost. Right though they were the happiest they’ve ever been and figured why not enjoy that while it lasts. Alex on the other hand has been busy, every night they’ve waited for Morgan to sleep and have snuck outside to catch another photo of their stalkers in the act. During the day while Morgan has insisted on leaving them for work Alex has been doing their research. After a month of this and mainly because they wanted to keep Morgan around as long as possible with the excuse they need to come back for Alex’s plan they felt like they had more than enough for the plan. Alex had already prepped the other bodies cutting their arms into three pieces of hands, forearm and upper arms each and the legs much of the same with feet, lower and then upper leg severed into chunks from each body giving them a good 36 word count to work with. They decided not to use the broken arm since they wanted it to look good and any extra limbs they chucked in an old sewage treatment river. They’d wash up in a couple months and be unrecognisable from the rest.They roped the three torsos and heads together taking them to be found in the alleyway Alex had originally attacked the first one in. Onto each limb they carved a singular word (and punctuation) for the sentence:
You are looking at the wrong person. I could have gotten you both any time I wanted. Superior.
Then pinned one photo they’d taken of Morgan’s tails on each limb and then laid them in easy to find but unsurveillanced places around the city. It was an uproar across the city the next morning with the news going wild for it and Alex had been delighted to see their work. They was almost an immediate inquiry to two cops who had been exposed to the world in the most horrific way. First of all they were put on immediate paid leave and pretty much dismissed from the force for gross misconduct although it pushed around on paper due to the nature of the reveal. It was at this point Penelope dropped an injunction on the FBI and the police preventing them from looking into Morgan any further due to the “perverse nature” of their investigation. For fun, Morgan had looked into the emails between the FBI and Mark’s precinct and the chaos was spiralling. The powers that be were furious for not only letting a detective interfere with a federal investigation but then doubling down and keeping his investigation from the FBI and carrying it on without any talk back to the FBI. “Uh oh, someone’s in trouble.” Morgan was sat at Alex’s desk in the basement and they pushed their laptop towards Alex to show a particularly strong worded email from the director of the FBI down to the Captain of Mark’s precinct.“Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.” Alex grinned leaning over Morgan to see the screen and resting their head on top of Morgan’s. “You’re messing with all of them.” Morgan said leaning back into their chest. “It’s a gift.” They chimed proud of themselves and Morgan chuckled. “Maybe now they’ll actually leave me alone.” Morgan mused as they started to log out of the system again, removing any traces of their existence. “Legally they have to.” Alex said crossing their arms around Morgan’s shoulders. “Hasn’t stopped them before.” Morgan rested their head against Alex’s arm as they closed out of the police firewall. “That’s where I’ll come in.” Alex grinned tightening their hold on Morgan excitedly. “Easiest solution, huh?” Morgan smiled to themselves but Alex caught it in the reflection of the laptop and kissed the top of their head affectionately. “Yep!” They grinned. “Come on then you lugged that ancient thing here, let me read this new novel I’ve heard so much about.” They reached forward and picked up the laptop stealing it from Morgan. Morgan let them although they stood up nervously pacing a little as Alex searched through their files. Alex found the labelled one “Stalker in the Night” which they knew was Morgan’s latest title. “Oh god, just, don’t tell me what you think until you’ve read all of it, yeah?” Morgan said suddenly more nervous than they’d ever been in the serial killer’s presence. “You’ll get nothing from me, go find something to do while I read or else you’ll distract me.” Alex waved them away and sat at the desk to read. “Even if I just sit here?” Morgan awkwardly perched on the desk. “Especially if you just sit there. You’ll keep staring at me and eventually I won’t be able to help myself.” Alex smiled at them side on, and Morgan lit up with the idea. “No, stop it, no distractions, shoo.” Alex waved them away and Morgan grumbled as they retreated back upstairs. Alex came upstairs a couple hours later and Morgan sat knees to their chest, coffee in hand waiting patiently and they stared at them blank and intense waiting for their verdict.“You really were paying attention to detail.” Alex said sitting next to them. “You gave a lot.” Morgan gave them a small smile. “What did you think?” Morgan asked simply unable to contain the question. “I have no idea who the murderer is and it’s killing me, tell me immediately.” Alex broke their cool façade because it really was plaguing them. “Really?” Morgan brightened up. “Who is it?” Alex demanded. “You’ll have to wait till I finish.” Morgan was delighted it wasn’t as obvious as their first book, they really wanted to lay into the mystery aspect of it. “Argh, you monster.” Alex huffed and Morgan grinned letting their legs drop as they reached out to Alex who didn’t hesitate to fold into their arms. “I mean, you already know who it is.” Morgan said after a moment and got a whiny grumble for it which made them laugh. “Oh, fuck you, you fucking writer.” Alex cursed them out and Morgan laughed relaxing back into the sofa pulling Alex down with them. It’s unexpected but not unwelcome while Morgan is at work Alex gets some unexpected guests. It’s the two tails who have been following Morgan at their doorstep but now they’re dressed in suits and they flash fake FBI badges. Clearly they think they’re up to something but Alex does love it when prey just walks right up to them.“Hello, I’m Agent Redford and this is Agent Rashford. We just saw this person leave your residence a while ago. Could we ask you some questions about them?” They said flashing a photo of Morgan in sepia tone. “Oh, uh, sure…is something wrong?” Alex played dumb opening the door ajar to let them both in. Like lambs to a slaughter. “We believe they be part of an ongoing investigation we’re conducting and are trying to discern who they’re familiar with.” If they’d done their research they’d have realised it was Alex who ruined them but then again no-one seemed to be doing any research. “Oh well I’ve met them recently…kinda just happened. Are they dangerous?” Alex asked leading them into the living, it’d be easier to move them into the basement from here. “No, but they might be involved with someone dangerous. It might be best if you don’t meet them alone for your own safety. Sorry, what’s your name for our notes?” As if they didn’t already know, Alex didn’t sit down yet. “Right, it’s Alex. Do you two want something to drink, I got coffee just brewed?” They pointed to the kitchen and both smiled politely at them. “That’d be great, thank you.” Redford said. “Take a seat, I’ll be right back.” They gestured to the sofa and went into the kitchen.Alex answered their banal questions pacing back and forth nervously by their window as if they were worried Morgan would return. In reality they were waiting and watched as they both started to feel the effects of the sleeping draught take effect and it was far too late as Alex pulled the curtain closed while they briefly went for their guns only to drop to the floor unconscious. “I told you it was the wrong person.” Alex chastised with a chuckled and flicked the switch to open the secret entrance to their basement.
----- CHAPTER BREAK -----
Morgan had come home to an empty house which was odd because Alex seemed to loathe leaving it except at night. Honestly, Morgan wasn’t sure when they did the shopping but there was always food around.They ducked instinctively when the gunshot game from below. They looked down at the floor and felt their heart drop. “Alex.” They scrambled over to the button to open the secret entrance and as soon as the gap was enough they practically threw themselves down the stairs and opened the bulkhead as if to run inside only to stop. “Alex?!” Morgan called out and grabbed the frame of the door. “What the fuck?” Morgan looked around the factory entrance dragged with blood to the corpse of one of their tails on the table while the other one, Redford had a gun pointed directly at Alex in the corner by the sink holding their steadily bleeding neck on the floor. “Morgan get back, we’ve caught Superior. Stay down.” Redford ordered Alex as the other tried to sit up properly and groaned. “What’s going on?” Morgan played dumb knowing that if everything went south that they could still get out of this. “I can explain.” Alex said from the floor. “Shut up, psycho! The only talking you’re doing is to a prison wall, caught you red handed motherfucker.” “This…entire time…” Morgan leaned against the frame really earning their Oscar moment, Alex smiled at them. “Morgan, I need you to go upstairs and call for backup.” Redford said and Morgan looked at Alex trying to figure out a plan. “Morgan!” They yelled at Morgan and they jumped. “Okay. Okay, who do I ask for?” They asked as Alex laughed a little, they were enjoying the show at least. “The police for fucks sake!” Redford yelled and Morgan winced back and started back to the stairs while Alex’s face dropped looking at the gun holder. “Okay, calm down!” They called out and they stood at the bottom of the stairs with two options. They could walk upstairs and this is all over or they could change their life forever.“Don’t talk to them like that.” Alex said and the choice was easy. “Shut up you sack of shit or I’ll put a bullet between your fucking eyes.” They ground out roughly brandishing the gun threateningly. Morgan pressed close on the stairs and watched the light from upstairs close up as it was eclipsed. “Morgan? What’s that noise?” Redford called out hesitant to look away unnerved by the slow smile that crept along Alex’s face. “The door closed, I don’t know why…” They grabbed a surgeon’s scalpel from Alex’s wall of surgery on their way back “Go the other way, it takes you to a factory but you should get signal.” They motioned round them with their head and Morgan moved around them carefully.“I love you, Morgan.” Alex sighed out and they paused in their movement seeing Alex’s soft smile at them. Morgan plunged the scalpel into the cop’s shoulder blade and they screamed out collapsing forward the gun going off firing into the wall just above Alex’s head. A risky but calculated move as they turn and dashed for the bulkhead door to the factory closing all three of them in. “Bastard!” Redford yelled rearing back up again.The cop pulled Morgan back by their collar stretching out their shirt as slammed into the table hitting the other body in the room and in a moment of sheer panic they grabbed the arm of the corpse and threw the body over their shoulder as Redford reared back and fired at them. Morgan slammed the now bullet ridden corpse forward and knocked Redford back into the wall hearing them cry out in pain as it subsequently pushed the scalpel further into his shoulder.Dropping the body Morgan grabbed their wrist slamming it into the wall forcing him to drop the gun as they broke the cop’s wrist. Kicking it away across the floor the gun slid under the shelves and Redford resolved to fight them head on head butting Morgan hard. With one arm essentially useless from being stabbed and broken they were at a disadvantage but they also had real combat training whereas Morgan knew basic self-defence.Rearing back Morgan swung wide and was easily parred as Redford used his hurt arm to block but then successfully clocked them in the chin sending them down to the floor. Redford stamped on their chest and Morgan let out a wheezed gasp as Alex yelled out starting to slide across the floor for the gun.Seeing the movement Redford jumped over the room kicking Alex in the face forcing them back as they reached under the shelf for the gun. Morgan managed to get to their knees “You’re both fucking crazy.” Redford told them aiming at Alex as the bigger threat.Morgan shouted out nonsensically as they side tackled Redford into the shelves and reached up ripping the scalpel from their shoulder blade and using the same momentum stabbed them in the wrist holding the gun right through his tendon forcing their hand to spasm as it released the gun again and it dropped to the floor.This time Alex got to it but they waited and watched as Morgan carried on lost to the fight. They slammed their knee up into Redford’s chest to pull back the scalpel before jabbing it wildly into their throat yanking it back out jaggedly. As Redford gurgled Morgan took the blade and rammed it through their eye socket causing him to scream out in agony as Morgan forced them to the wall. “You’re not taking them from me!” Morgan screamed as they pushed the blade deeper and deeper blood pouring out as they submerged it into their brain.They held it there momentarily and Alex watched in awe putting the safety on and placing the gun down on the workbench as the realisation dawned on Morgan to what they’d just done. “Oh my god, oh my god…what did I do, what did I do?” They breathed out shocked back away from the corpse they made. Alex was at their side instantly holding them. “Hey, hey, you did amazing, you’re amazing, come here, you’re incredible.” Alex cupped their cheeks with blood dripping hands and kissed them. Morgan kissed them back desperately holding onto them tightly digging their nails into their shirt both of them smearing blood on each other.Morgan pulled back taking in a deep breaths and then gave out a panicked laugh seeing Alex. “We look like a fucking crime scene.” They laughed more from hysteria and Alex kissed their forehead. “This is a crime scene.” Alex told them and Morgan sucked in a sharp breath. “Holy shit, I’m a murderer!” Alex held their arms firmly and kept eye contact. “It’s okay, breathe, breathe. It’s always hard the first time.” They nodded reassuringly. “Even for you?” Morgan asked and Alex pecked them on the lips. To Alex they’d never looked so beautiful. “Huh? Hah. No. But from what I hear, this is a normal reaction for most people. Just breathe, okay?” Alex breathed exaggeratedly themselves to coach Morgan through it and the other mimicked them. “Wha-what about your neck?” Morgan asked pushing their head away so they could see it. “Barely a scratch I was waiting for them to let their guard down.” They were still bleeding but it didn’t look deep at all. “You could’ve helped.” Morgan pouted and Alex smiled at them. “And I would’ve, but you had it handled.” Alex pulled Morgan closer and the other blinked. “You were outstanding.” They said quietly getting closer to Morgan’s lips. “Alex…” Morgan breathed and with that Alex closed the distance kissing them more purposefully this time. Morgan fell into it unable to help themselves as they clutched at Alex. It wasn’t until they inhaled to breathe and smelt the coppery iron blood of the room that they reared back the shock hitting them again. “I can’t. Not here.” They shook their head and Alex was already rubbing their sides soothingly. “Of course, of course. Sit down here, I’m going to take care of everything.” Alex sitting them on the little stool and kissed them gently on the temple.Morgan sat mostly in shellshock next to the person they’d killed and they glanced at Redford’s body again and again as if they would magically disappear.Alex cleaned up around them, putting a bandage on their neck, moving the bodies and washing away the blood. They came back to Morgan and got them both to undress so they could leave their bloodied clothes down here to be dealt with and then washed them both down getting the blood out. Alex worked efficiently and got them back upstairs where Morgan went had a long hot shower while Alex got dressed and made them something to eat.The bodies would show up three days later their undercover car burnt and abandoned on the highway while their dead bodies were dragged through a rocky path leading to a ditch where both their throats were slit although they’d been dead much sooner.Alex wouldn’t leave a calling card, this time but just because they thought it was funny they did curl them around each other as if in a lovers embrace. They didn’t want this leading back to Morgan again and Alex had taken care to remove any evidence Morgan had ever touched them.If anything it looked like two people were in the wrong place at the wrong time especially when all their possessions had been stolen from the car. Several hundred dollars were also removed from their chequing accounts just to make it look like they were either running away or the killer was robbing them. Either way Alex didn’t care.That was for later, right now their partner was upstairs in the living room in need of comfort because they were going through something and Alex was more than willing to be there for them.Alex found them on the sofa with nothing but the lamp on for light and the TV on for background noise lost in their own thoughts. With a couple of dead bodies downstairs they sat and pulled Morgan to cuddle up beside them and the other easily went into their arms.“You should move in.” Alex suggested nonchalantly as if they’d only just thought of the idea. “Really?” Morgan asked confused. “Yeah, I’ve decided I’m keeping you, Morgan.” Alex hooked their hand gently around Morgan’s thigh who leaned into them. “Even though I freaked out back there?” Morgan asked feeling embarrassed considering how prolific Alex was a killer and they lost their cool over one. “Oh please, you were adorable, plus I kinda like it when people are helpless, it’s kinda my thing.” Alex smiled and Morgan gave a short nervous laugh turning to their side to face them. “And you, Morgan, can switch on a dime, I saw you back there and when it comes down to the wire, you, my love, will kill or be killed.” Alex told them something dark flickered in their eyes before they tilted that grin and looked them up and down. “And that’s fucking hot.” They tightened their hold on Morgan’s leg and Morgan let out a little gasp. “What if I’m killed?” Morgan asked and felt Alex’s nails start to dig into their thigh with how tight they held them. “I won’t let it happen.” Alex vowed and kissed them soundly. “Upstairs?” Morgan asked and Alex was nodding into the kiss. “Upstairs.” Alex grinned and let Morgan pull them up.It’s the easiest thing in the world for Morgan to break their lease and take all of the possessions they care about, fill up Alex’s care with them and move in. There’s a moment where Morgan realises they chose right and it’s when Alex shows them a desk by the living room which they set up just so Morgan would have a place to write. So maybe they commit a murder together every now and again, does it matter, when you’re really in love?