Raven ground the cigarette butt between the crack in the sidewalk with his heel. His groin ached. It was a slow night. It was approaching midnight and he had only a couple hundred dollars. He hated nights like this. Damp. Gloomy. Raw. The streets were vacant except for a few passers-by. He leaned his head back against the wall, slowly rubbing his cock, lost in that moment of....

"You�re very beautiful."

Raven lowered his head and lifted his sultry eyes. "I am, huh?"

Facing him was an older man. He was handsome in an odd way. None of his features were particularly pleasant. His cheeks were too sunken, his eyes too wide, his brows too bushy, his lips too thin, and his hair too wavy. Yet when all these features came together it sparked uniqueness and charm. It was uncanny.

"Are you just gonna watch or are you gonna do something about this?" Raven grinned, exposing himself.

"Come. My place is a few blocks from here." He slipped his arm around Raven�s waist and led him down the sidewalk.

"Hey. Listen. I don�t come cheap. You wanna a blow job it�s gonna cost you fifty. A fuck...."

"You cannot place monetary value on sex."

"What the fuck!" Raven wrangled from the man�s grip, stopping dead in his tracks. "I�m not going with you unless you�re fucking paying me. I don�t work for free."

"Don�t be hasty, young man. You will be duly paid."

Raven furrowed his brow. This man was difficult to read. "Duly paid?"

"You will receive payment for services rendered," the older man clarified. "And more."

"Yeah. Well. Okay then."

The man nodded in response and slid his arm, once again, around Raven�s waist.

*********

Raven took off his jacket and threw it over the chair. The man pulled a chain on a floor lamp. A dim light cast shadows across the room.

"Hey, cool lamp. Looks like one of them fancy windows you see in churches. You seen them." Raven ran his fingers over the colored glass.

"It�s a Peony Tiffany, young man. The fancy windows are called stained glass windows. Take off your clothes and place them on the chair," he ordered, then walked down the hall.

"Yeah. Um. I like to be paid up-front."

Raven listened for a response, but received none. He looked around the darkened room. Long maroon drapes covered the windows that reached to the ceiling. The wallpaper was soiled and curled in the corners. Books were piled on the floor beside a chair. A fancy rug was worn bare in places near the chairs and sofa.

"Fuck," Raven whispered.

He shoved his hands in his pockets. The hairs on the back of his neck bristled. He turned to flee.

"Jesus fucking holy Christ! What the fuck! You fucking scared the shit of me! What the fuck do you think you�re doing? Fucking sneaking up on me like that! Jesus fucking Christ!" Raven ranted, pacing the room in circles, his arms flailing. "You fucking almost gave me a fucking heart attack!" He bent over resting his hands on his knees, breathing heavily.

The man gave no reaction. He held out a wad of bills. "You asked for payment up-front."

"What?"

"Your payment for services to be rendered."

Raven took the wad of money and unfolded the bills. "There�s five hundred dollars here."

"Yes. Now get undressed."

Raven slipped off his trousers.

********

Raven felt nervous. Caution flags went up. Thoughts nagged at him. This wasn�t any ordinary trick. This was weird. This guy was weird. Everything about this evening was weird. This guy didn�t talk right. Services rendered.

Raven stood there naked beside the Tiffany lamp having second thoughts. He could grab his clothes and sneakers and run. Get dressed in the ally. All he would have to do is keep his eye on the hallway since freak man was sneaky.

It was too late. The man came down the hallway carrying something white. "Put this on."

"Um. You�re into kink, old man?" He held up the silk gown.

"You are not here to question me. Put it on. And you are to call me Allan."

"Whatever you want. It�s your money. My name�s Raven."

"Your name is Nora."

"Nora, huh?" Raven raised his eyebrows and he slipped on the silk gown. "You are one kinky mother-fucker," he said under his breath.

"Yes," Allan smiled, fingering the lace on the collar. "You�re so pale, my darling."

"Yeah. Lack of sun," Raven struggled for words. "Um... honey."

"Come with me, my sweet Nora." Allan led him down the hallway by the hand and opened the door leading to the bedroom.

The dimly lit room revealed a four poster canopy bed of solid cherry; the headboard was richly detailed in Fleur-de-Lis.

"Jesus fucking Christ. That�s the biggest bed I�ve ever seen."

Alan placed his finger on Raven�s lips. "Shhh, my darling. Come here." He stood by the vanity table. "Sit here, my love."

Raven took a seat on the velvet chair. A framed picture on the corner of the vanity caught his eye�a woman, black hair, dark eyes. He picked it up and studied it. "Is this that Nora woman?"

"Put that down." Allan grabbed the framed photograph. "Never touch this. This is my beloved wife. My angel. My Nora."

"What? Is she dead?"

" I wish not to speak of her death. My heart is filled with sorrow."

"Yeah. My heart is filled with a lot of shit life too," Raven snickered.

Allan picked up a compact and a brush. "You are so pale. You need some color." He gently smoothed a light pink blush on Raven�s cheeks. "There. Much better."

A tingle went through Raven�s body. He was never asked to do this. He had heard of it. But he had never had to do that shit... until now.

"You have luscious lips, my dear sweet Nora." He placed his fingers under Raven�s chin and lifted his head so their eyes met. Allan ran his tongue along Raven�s lower lip then slipped it inside gently exploring, tasting.

Raven gasped when Allan pulled away. His cock ached.

"Come to bed, my dear."

Raven blinked. "Um. Yeah. Whatever you want." He walked over to the huge bed. It stood high off the floor. The white bedding made it appear even more overwhelming.

"Let me help you." Allan slid his arm around Raven, turning him around so they were standing facing each other.

"I can do it," he protested.

"My lovely, it is my honor." He lifted Raven onto the bed with ease. "Now lie down and rest as I prepare."

Raven propped himself against the white satin pillows. He played with the silk gown, smoothing it out as he watched Allan undress. Everything about him was orderly. He removed each article of clothing either hanging it up in the closet or folding it neatly and placing it on the bureau.

"You know. I�m kinda thirsty. You got any booze?" Raven asked.

Allan didn�t answer. He removed a robe from the closet and slipped it on then left the room.

"That is one uptight anal old man," Raven said to himself.

Within a few moments Allan returned with two flutes and a bottle of Pierrie-Jouett Resting in an ice bucket.

"What�s that?" Raven asked.

"Champagne, my love." He passed him a flute. "Nineteen seventy-five. A fine year. Remember, my dear? The lovely little shop in Paris where we went for a morning stroll?"

"Um, yeah. Yeah. I remember." Raven played along. He took a gulp. "Damn, that�s good stuff."

"My love, sip. Enjoy every drop." Allan disrobed and crawled onto the bed beside Raven.

"Oh, I�m enjoying. Fill �r up, old man. I mean, um, Allan dearest." Raven held out the flute. "I�m hungry. Do you have something to eat?"

Allan filled his glass with champagne. "I have a lovely meal planned for us. We shall dine under the stars."

"Under the stars, huh? What are we eating?"

"A special meal. It was prepared just for us. All your favorites, my love. Mousse de saumon. Filet mignon aus oignons. Gratin Dauphinois. Plateau des fromages et salade verte. And my love, for desert Profiteroles au chocolat."

"I didn�t understand one fucking word you said except moose and chocolate. I never ate moose before. I guess it can�t be too bad. Meat is meat."

Allan chuckled softly. "You bring such delight to my heart, Nora. Lie back my sweetness." He took the champagne flutes and set them on the night stand.

"Okay then. Let�s get down to business. You wanna blow job? I give damn good blow jobs."

"Shhh." Allan placed his index finger on Raven�s lips. "Quiet, my dear sweet Nora. Let me love you one more time." He brushed his thumb against Raven�s bottom lip and showered gentle kisses at first. Then his kisses turned ravenous and hungry. He slid the silk white gown above Raven�s hips exposing his rigid cock.

"Wait," Raven grabbed at Allan�s arm. "Wait."

"The time is right, my darling."

"Condom. I don�t fuck without a condom."

"We are married, my sweet. There is no need for barriers."

"This isn�t a fucking game," Raven snapped. "I�m not getting any fucking disease from you."

"I have no disease. Stop this nonsense, Nora." Allan pushed him down on the bed, anchoring his wrists with one hand. He reached over and pulled a tassel rope off the canopy drape. Within moments Raven�s wrists were tied and secured to the headboard despite the fight he put up.

"You bastard! You fucking let me go!" Raven yelled, pulling at the restraints.

"Do not struggle, my sweetness. There is no need. I will not harm you." Allan leaned over and whispered in his ear. "I want to be inside you. I want to feel your warmth once again, my darling sweet Nora."

"Jesus fucking Christ. You are one fucked up bastard."

Allan raised the white gown once again up around Raven�s waist. "You are so beautiful. So beautiful." He pushed himself against Raven, surging upward, entering with such force that the room was filled with painful cries. Allan was lost in his fantasy as he lunged and withdrew in rhythmic frenzy. Deep guttural animal moans escaped from Allan with every lunge. Raven closed his eyes as pain ravaged his body. Allan let out a grunt then collapsed. He lay breathing heavily on top of Raven.

"Get off me."

"Were you pleasured, my dear?"

"Get off me, old man!" Raven screamed.

Allan raised his head. "Did you hear that?"

"Bastard. Get the fuck off me."

"Quiet." Allan cocked his head. "Did you hear it? Did you hear it?"

"What the fuck are you talking about?" Raven saw the panic in the old man�s face. He looked around the darkened room.

Allan grabbed his robe and walked around the room as he slipped it on. "I have a visitor. Do you not hear it?"

"Hear what? I don�t hear a fucking thing. Untie me. You bastard, untie me!"

"Nora," Allan went to Raven and placed his hand on his chest. "My sweet angel. I have always loved you. My dear sweet Nora, I cannot live without you. My soul is empty. My heart aches. Please, my darling, my life is nothing without you."

"Untie me, you fucked up bastard!" Raven snarled.

"We have a visitor." Allan smiled. He opened the bedroom door. "I grant you entrance." He made a sweeping gesture. "Yes. Yes." His voice was joyous. "Sir or Madam. Your forgiveness. I am on my knees. Please. I beg of you." He lowered himself to his knees.

Raven looked around the room. "Who the fuck are you talking to?"

Allan looked up toward the bookcase near the window. "Raven."

"I�m Raven, you asshole, and I don�t forgive you."

"What? What did you say?" He spoke toward the bookcase.

"I�m not Nora, you foolish bastard. What are you mad? You fucked up bastard. Let me go!" Raven struggled to free himself. "Let me go!" His screams came from the bottom of his lungs.

"You are my angel. You are my heart and soul." Allan stood up and walked over to the bed. "I love you, Nora." He caressed Raven�s cheek.

Raven growled at him like a wild animal, trying to take a bite out of his hand. "Nora is dead. You will never see her again. Never! Nevermore! You old bastard." Hatred burned from Raven�s fiery eyes.

Allan stepped back. The color drained from his face. "You are a thing of evil. The devil! What have you done with my Nora? What have you done?"

"Nevermore, old man! She is dead! Never! You will never see that bitch again! Never! Nevermore!"

Allan ran to the vanity and opened the drawer.

"Nevermore!" Raven screamed as he frantically pulled on the ties that bound his wrists.

"Nevermore," Allan whispered as the butcher knife reflected flickers of light from the dim lamp.

**********

Allan removed his glasses and closed his book. "Yes. Yes. I�ll be right there." He was agitated. Who would be visiting at this hour? Four in the morning. It was rude. He had to show his manners, though.

"Open up. It�s the police. Open up."

Allan took a deep breath and let it out slowly. He opened the door. "Yes, officers. What can I do for you?"

"May we come in?" Officer Blackwood asked.

"Of course. Please." He stepped aside and allowed the three officers to enter.

"We�ve received phone calls from your neighbors. Screams coming from your apartment. What would you know about that?" Officer Blackwood asked.

"Screams? I don�t know a thing," Allan shrugged. "I watched some television earlier. A movie. �Psycho.� The Hitchcock film. I couldn�t sleep so I have been reading. I have not heard any screams. Perhaps there has been a mistake?"

"I don�t believe so." Officer Morella scanned the room. "Your neighbors were quite insistent."

Allan sat down. "You are welcome to look around. I have nothing to hide."

Officer Blackwood nodded, beckoning his fellow officers off to check the premises..

"Do you like to read, Officer?"

"Yes. You read a lot?"

"Reading feeds the soul," Allan said. He removed his handkerchief and wiped his forehead.

"Do you feel all right?"

"Just a headache. I haven�t slept well lately."

"Is that right?" Officer Blackwood asked.

"No one is here." Officer Morella stated when he returned.

"The place is neat. No signs of anyone," Officer Gordon added.

Allan shook his head slightly. "Be quiet." he whispered.

"What was that?" Officer Blackwood asked.

"I keep my place neat. It is how I like my place. There is nothing wrong with it." Allan yelled.

"Didn�t say there was," Officer Gordon said.

"I don�t have visitors. I don�t like people in my home. My home is my home. I like my place dark. I get headaches when there is too much light. Bright light gives me headaches. It is none of your business if I have no visitors. It is none of your business if I stay in during the day."

"Calm down. No one says you have to keep your place well lit if you have headaches," Officer Blackwood said. "Have you seen a doctor?"

"A doctor? Why? There is nothing wrong me. Nothing!"

"Of course not." Officer Gordon smiled.

"Why do you smile? What do you know?" Allan stood up and walked around to the back of his reading chair. He pushed on the chair, grating it on the floor boards. "Stop it! Stop it!" He yelled. "Stop mocking me!"

**********

Detective Ed Berenice looked through the two-way mirror at Allan Pendulum who sat cuffed to the table in the interrogation room. He was alone in the room, yet not alone. He was talking to someone. Some imaginary person... thing.

"Hey. What do we have here?" Laura Tamerlane, the department�s psychiatrist, asked.

"A real wacko." Detective Berenice rubbed his chin. "Confessed." He shook his head. "Right there in front of my officers. Even showed them... Damn. That crazy asshole cut out the heart of his wife. She�s been dead for over a month."

"Jesus," Laura whispered.

"Killed some kid last night. Some prostitute he took home. Bludgeoned his eyes. Cut out the kid�s tongue. Cut out his heart. Shit. He put them in a box under the floorboards along with his wife�s heart. Cut up the rest of the kid�s body. Wrapped it in plastic. He put it in the fucking freezer. With his wife�s."

"Jesus Christ, Ed! I just had breakfast."

"Look at him. He�s fucking talking to the walls." Detective Berenice turned his back to the mirror. "He�s going to plead insanity."

**********

"I�m dreadfully nervous. Will you say I�m mad? Truly, I ask for your forgiveness. This disease. It has not destroyed my senses. No. Not at all. I hear things quite well. I see things quite well. Do you not think so?" Allan looked above the door ledge. "Madam or is it Sir? You have not yet told me. Please. I implore your forgiveness. I have such sorrow. I am haunted. But I am calm. See how healthy I am? I speak to God. I hear the angels. I have my angel Nora. My sweet dear Nora. I hear things in heaven. I have heard things in hell. The fiery devil eyes. The evil. So how? How then could I be mad? Am I mad? Am I? Will you say I am mad?"

Allan lowered his eyes and looked directly at the mirror. His gaze penetrated through the mirror into Laura�s eyes. He spoke directly to her. He raised his eyebrows and grinned. "Will you say I am mad?"