He thought it was their first date; she knew it was their anniversary. They were both looking forward to the end of the evening.


She arrived at the restaurant early and chose a patio table to enjoy a beautiful sunset. As she sipped her wine she thought about him. From their first encounter, he had a mesmerizing effect that made her body tremble. She thought of his dark good looks and his muscular build that caused women to turn their heads in appreciation. His entire persona conveyed power to be respected by men and women alike. As she looked up to see him walking toward her, she could see other restaurant patrons also looking at this imposing figure of a man. The thought brought a smile that lit up even more when their eyes met. And her body quivered with anticipation of where the evening would lead.


He was surprised to see that she was already seated on the restaurant’s patio enjoying a glass of wine. As he approached the table, she looked up and flashed the smile that had first attracted him. She was stunning – smile, eyes, hair, body. Even the small scar on her left cheek added to her allure. He couldn’t believe that he was lucky enough for such a woman to have ever noticed him. He thought he had spent his life on the chase for the right woman and now he was the one being chased. Even though it was a first date, he couldn’t stop himself from leaning down to give a gentle kiss on her cheek before settling into his chair. He added more wine to her near empty glass, poured himself a glass and settled back gazing into her eyes which were twinkling in the setting sun. God, he was a lucky man.


Their conversation was fun and delightful throughout the meal as they shared details of their careers and hobbies, their life’s dreams and hopes, and a shared love of observing and studying human nature. They were both impressed with each other’s’ intelligence and insight that only served to complement their physical attributes. They each ordered different entrees that they shared with the other but chose to split a single dessert – a simple action that seemed to seal a growing bond between them.


After dinner they strolled through the nearby park along the lake’s edge, watching the shimmering full moon rise into the sky and across the lake’s placid surface. This park meant much to both as it was the place of their first encounter. As she slipped her arm into his, he again thought of how lucky he was. When she leaned further into his side, he stopped and lightly took her cheek. Leaning in, he softly kissed her lips, detecting a slight shiver in her body which only sent a similar shiver through him.


When she felt his lips meet hers, she melted into his embrace. Just as the first time they met, she felt his strength. She slipped her arms around him and pulled him closer, returning the kiss with greater passion. She was aware that they were in the shadows and the thought of what was sure to happen caused her heart to race. She could feel his heart racing as his desire grew, straining against her. When she lifted her lips to his ear to whisper that she wanted him, she could feel his desire surging through his body.


He had thought the evening would end well but this was more than he had dreamed. Her request to take her hit like an electric shock that brought a passion that caused him to abandon all caution. Clutching her trembling body, he slowly backed further into the shadows. Something about this spot was both comforting and exhilarating as if it was meant to be.


Still holding each other with lips firmly pressed together, they slid down to the soft grass beneath them. As his hands went to unbutton her blouse, her hands pulled down his zipper, pulling out the engorged member that she remembered. He trembled as she stroked him before she whispered in his ear that she had protection. He merely groaned as her hands left him to search in her purse. While she prepared, he pulled his pants down below his knees, all while thinking what position he would take her.


She finished and embraced him again, running her hands under his shirt and across his back, fingernails scratching and bringing new pleasures to his body. As she brought one hand around to his chest, tweaking his nipples and bringing greater sensations, he gasped in surprise as he felt the blade slide between his ribs and into his lung. Before he could cry out a cloth was stuffed in his mouth as she climbed on his chest and he felt the wet steel of the knife press against his throat. His eyes widened as he looked in her face. Those once-twinkling eyes were cold and unblinking as she raised a finger to her lips indicating he should be quiet.


The excitement she felt exceeded her every expectation. The fear in his eyes and the blood gushing out of his side gave her a strength she had never felt before. When she heard the sucking sound coming from the knife wound, she pulled the cloth from his mouth causing him to gasp, but unable to draw enough breath to talk. Now was the time to explain herself.


You don’t remember me, but I remember you. Our first meeting was not yesterday in the coffee shop when we bumped into each other. I recognized you when I first saw you enter that shop a month ago. Every day I’ve watched you enter that shop, order your coffee and sit watching and leering at the women who come in. I’ve spent that month planning this moment. You don’t remember, but one year ago today, at this very hour and in this very spot, we first met. I was new to this city with a new job. I had only lived here a few weeks and enjoyed this park and the lake that reminded me of home. I thought I was safe walking in this park. Until that night. That night when you came up behind me and dragged me to this spot. I fought but you were too strong. You were angry that I fought and left me with this scar on my cheek. But you scarred me far worse that night. Since that night I have lived in a fear that therapy has not reduced. I had hoped the police would find you and that would take my fear away but that never happened. And then I saw you. And I knew what needed to be done to take away my fear and give me the strength to continue living. And now as your life ends, I thank you for this moment that I will celebrate for the rest of my life.


As the dim moonlight through the trees only dimmed even more, he tried to speak but could simply gurgle through the warm liquid that was filling his mouth. He tried to move but only felt her weight pressing down on his chest adding to the pressure on his lungs as blood filled his chest cavity. He still didn’t remember her but thought of the women he had known in this park and he remembered why this spot felt so comfortable to him. Like all women, they were faceless to him, unworthy of his attention. But this face looking down at him now with its fury and strength – this face he saw. This face would haunt the eternity that now took his soul down into the depths of hell.