Jacob the Stalker

"“You can die tonight, but I will live for centuries”"

- “You can die tonight, but I will live for centuries”

It’s been a week since Jacob last went to target practice. He loved archery, yes, but he had schoolwork that needed to be done. As he and his best friend Scarlet were walking home from school, two kids from their class sidled up to them.

“Hey, look! It’s the kid whose brother killed Tom!” said a freckled-faced, red-haired boy whose round face was right up in Jacob’s. His name was Anthony and he had a reputation for meanness despite his nerdy look. Jacob, unlike his brother, had wide eyes full of life. However, like his brother, he had black tousled hair, pale skin and icy blue eyes. He usually wore a black T-shirt with a navy-blue and gray hoodie and a pair of dark jeans.

“My brother did not kill Tom”, Jacob whispered.

“Yeah, right!” said Jane, Anthony’s close friend. She had blonde hair with pink highlights.

“Leave us alone” snapped Scarlet, Jacob’s best friend who he had crush on for the longest time. Scarlet had long, naturally red hair, hazel eyes, freckles and the cutest smiles. Eventually, the bullies decided that they had enough of Jacob and Scarlet for the day and left. Scarlet and Jacob continued walking home. When they reached Jacob’s home, he said goodbye to Scarlet, wishing he didn’t have to.

As he entered his house, the stench of alcohol hit him in the face. This was typical, as his mother would drink often, go to parties and forget about him.

“Boy! You home?” shouted his father in a rough voice of a man who has been smoking for years. Jacob sighed and decided to microwave a Hot Pocket, his usual supper. After he fished his less-than-nutritious meal, he sat down at the kitchen table and started on some homework.

The next day at school, Jacob heard Scarlet’s voice whisper in class:

“Pssst Jacob! Meet me at the café after school! I have something for you”.

He didn’t know what to think but he was excited. Today was the day he was going to ask her out. She must have felt the same way. For the rest of the day, Jacob couldn’t pay attention in class. He was thinking about his meeting with Scarlet after school, curious as to what she was going to give him. When the bell finally rang, he dashed down the hallway, weaving through the crowd of students. He finally reached the café in the school’s lunchroom to find Scarlet already waiting for him.

“Here, I have something to give you!” said Scarlet in a sweet voice. She handed him a small cardboard box. Inside the box, nestled neatly was what appeared to be a slice of a bone of some sort. Attached to it was a black leather cord.

“Uh-um… What is this?” Jacob asked.

“It’s a deer antler. I’m not sure what kind! I think elk. I got it from my dad’s gift shop, I thought you might like it.”

Like it? No, no… Jacob lovedit.

“I will cherish it forever”, he said solemnly.

“Go ahead, put it on!” Scarlet said excitedly. Jacob put the necklace on and adjusted the length so that it would fit perfectly.

Jacob took a deep breath and said: “Scarlet, I know we’ve been friends for a long time… Lately, I’ve developed very strong feelings for you and I was wondering if you would go out with me sometime”.

“Wait… Are you serious? You must be joking! Jacob, I… I… never really liked you! I… I gotta go!”

“Scarlet, wait!”

But it was too late. She was already running, leaving Jacob behind with the necklace in his hand. Tears streaming down his face.

Scarlet was the only person who ever cared about him and now she was gone. Jacob’s thoughts were racing, his heart was pounding, his whole body trembling uncontrollably. He felt like he was going to throw up. He just didn’t understand. If she didn’t like him at all, then why bother being his friend? Why the necklace? It just didn’t make any sense. Suddenly, Jacob stopped trembling. And now anger was all he could feel. It burned through him like a forest fire. How could she betray him like that? How could she? And to think, he believed that she was his friend. It was all lies. All empty words. Oh, she would pay for this. For all the years, all the lies she spewed. He had to think this through. Carefully. But maybe he should give her the benefit of the doubt? She never dropped hints about liking him before. However, this was too big of a betrayal to let slide.

Many years ago, when his family was still functioning, his father bought him a blue and black Genesis bow and a set of sharp arrows. Jacob was always good at archery. It was his passion; his hobby and his bow and arrow were always tucked away under his bed.

That night, Scarlet decided to take a walk in the woods by herself. She felt badly about the way she treated Jacob and wanted to clear her head. However, unbeknownst to her, Jacob was hiding behind a tall oak tree on the path she always took through the woods. Bow and arrow in hand. As the snow fell softly on the ground, it created a blanket of white covering everything. Scarlet, with her headphones on was completely oblivious to the sound of Jacob’s rapid breathing, the only sound that could be heard in the dark night. Jacob’s mind raced as he began to think about all the reasons why he should do what he was about to do. Taking a deep breath, he pulled an arrow out of the quiver, drew the bow and pulled the string back as far as he could. He aimed for Scarlet’s heart and, in one swift movement, fired. A loud scream pierced through the night as Scarlet fell to her knees, blood pouring out of the wound. As she lay on the snow-covered floor, blood glistening in the snow, the last thing that she saw was Jacob leaning in for a kiss. As she lay there dead, Jacob tore the arrow out of her flesh and whispered in her ear: “You can die tonight, but I will live for centuries”

The TV was blasting in the Otis household: “Breaking News! The body of 16-year-old Scarlet Richards was found in Twin Creek Park last night at 11:23 pm. The teenager was found with a wound to her chest…” Mr. Otis turned the TV off and scoffed: “Teenagers! Always getting into trouble”. Meanwhile, on a dark street lit by a single streetlamp, sitting on a park bench was Jacob. In his hand was the necklace that Scarlet had given him. Thinking about it, he decided to put it on.

“Nice necklace” said a familiar voice. Out from the shadow stepped a tall young man, dressed in a blue coat. His face was hidden behind a white mask with dark eye holes and a bloody smile. A yellow smiley face button was pinned to the lapel of the man’s coat.

“Long time no see, brother”.