Killer of a Lonely Heart

Realistically, her parents should have known better than to let her stay up and watch X-Files with them but her father could never turn her down when she talked about her love for science and all thing supernatural.

Her mother, slightly annoyed, crossed her arms over her chest and leaned in closer to her husband. But the little girl didn’t notice as she clung tightly to her Rainbow Bright doll and watched with wide eyes as Mulder and Scully tried to unravel the latest mysteries. The Lonely Hearts killer, the one who might have taken and murdered Mulder’s sister continued to evade the detectives and was still not found by the end of the episode, leaving a twinge of fear in the little girl’s heart.

“Alright, Lola, it’s time for bed,” her father said, turning off the television. Her mother had already barely brushed Lola’s forehead with a kiss before whisking herself off to her own bedroom. Lola wanted to object but she couldn’t deny the sleep gaining control over her eyes. Her father picked her up into his arms and carried her up the stairs to her bedroom.

“Good night, angel,” he whispered as he tucked her in and kissed her goodnight.

“Good night, daddy,” she quietly mumbled back before turning over onto her pillow and allowing sleep to take her.

A loud thump awoke her and her eyes shot open instantly but the rest of her remained still and motionless in her bed. She heard a soft laugh that sounded like the Lonely Hearts Killer and more panic rose in her chest as she clung tightly to her little mermaid bed sheets. At the time when her father purchased it she had loved her Alf night light but now it wasn’t bright enough to truly make her feel safe in her own bedroom. The laughered started again, closer now.

“I know you’re awake, little one, I’ve come to take your heart.”

She turned quickly to see the Lonely Hearts Killer standing in her room, holding a long, sharp knife in his hand. He smiled wickedly at her.

“I’ve come to rid your family of the burden of you and end your suffering as an unwanted child,” the killer continued. She gulped down the rising fear and tears that threatened to pierce her eyes.

“My - my daddy loves me. My brother loves … me,” she mumbled and let her voice trail off. The killer raised an inquisitive eyebrow at her.

“And what of your mother?” Lola shrugged in her bed.

“Do you not believe your mother loves you and would wish to spare you, little one?” Again she shrugged. She wasn’t sure why but she knew she never understood her friends who treated their mother’s like their best friend. For Lola that was always her father.

“Do you believe if she were her in this room that she would save you?” Once again, Lola shrugged. Her fear started to give way to a new kind of sadness that was taking over in her heart. This killer was coming to help her realize a sad truth about her fears that she hadn’t realized in her short life. Even when they fought, she knew her brother loved her, they were best friends. Her father never failed to display his love for her in every moment possible but her mother. Her mother was different. She wasn’t sure why but she never felt like her mother’s actions towards her matched her words of love. Finally, unable to control it anymore, Lola started to cry.

The violent man in her room gave her an interested glance of almost pity before rolling his eyes and laughing a bit more loudly now.

“Now you understand why you were chosen. No one really loves you or would miss you. Your life is meaningless, best stop it now before you have a chance to grow and really become a burden to the world.” He moved closer, raising his knife.

“Wait!” She cried, holding her hand up high. He paused midstep.

“I have a test tomorrow and then Friday is show and tell, it’s my turn. I’m going to bring my zoo collection.” She held the covers up to her eyes and tried to hide the burning blood rushing to her cheeks.

“Also I want to be an actress, tell stories and marry a prince one day. I have too much to do right now. I have to go to school tomorrow. You can’t kill me tonight.”

The killer lowered his knife and pondered on her arguments. In her little eight year old mind she had been quite persuasive.

“Very well, I shall try again after your test and after your show and tell, then I’ll be coming back for you.” Like a shadow flickering in the night light he disappeared. Lola was again alone in her room, her face wet from sweat and tears. She laid back down with her heart racing, unsure how to go back to sleep.

She thought for a moment about going into her parents room but thinking of them now just made her sad. Instead, she laid back down and stared at the top bunk of her bunk beds.

Abruptly, Lola’s eyes opened to a room covered in the twilight of dawn. It had been a dream. The Lonely Hearts Killer wasn’t real and she was certain Mulder would find him and get rid of him. She was alive and well in her room. However, her heart was still torn by the truth hidden in the darkness.