He enters the building and warily looks around, unable to believe his good fortune. There’s no one at the counter. The only one in the facility seems to be a young woman in the pool, shooting plastic kids’ balls up at a basketball hoop attached to a support.
Her bikini is predominantly red with colorful stripes that run horizontally across her bottoms. Her top is skimpy, showing off her ample cleavage. The urge suddenly hits him hard.
He licks his lips as he looks all around again. This is such a perfect opportunity. It’s one he simply cannot turn down.
“Is there anybody home?” he calls out to the female in the water.
She stops what she’s doing, holding the ball in her hands as she looks in his direction. “She’s out back!” she calls out helpfully. “Just use the phone on the counter to ring her up! She’ll be right in!”
“All I need are some directions. I don’t suppose you’re familiar with this area; are you?”
“I live a half-hour away, but I might be able to help.”
“That’d be great!” he says with a smile as he makes his way down the side of the pool toward her. “I think I‘m lost.”
‘So beautiful!’ he thinks as he comes up to the edge of the pool and looks at her. ‘She looks so beautiful. And she‘s so alone.’
“What are you looking for?” she asks. She’s all smiles, trying to be helpful.
“I’m trying to find a farmhouse near Baker Flats. Am I on the right road?” That’s when he leans over the edge toward her.
…so beautiful… so alone…
“You just follow the highway in that direction,” she says, pointing the way. “West, I think. Another 20 miles or so. The highway should take you right to it.”
“Well, I’m looking for this farmhouse,” he says, fumbling in his jacket. “All I have is this picture. The caption says it’s just outside Baker Flats. I know I have it in here somewhere.” Then he pats his pockets in frustration.
“I’m not sure about the farmhouses around here,” she says uncertainly.
Instinctively she wades toward him. He’s acting like he has something he wants to show her. She won’t be able to see it unless she gets closer.
“I don’t pay much attention to the farmhouses when I drive this stretch of highway. I just like to come here to swim.” Then she tosses the ball aside.
“You might recognize this one,” he says as he continues to check his jacket pockets. “If only I can remember where I put it now.”
His heart beats faster as she draws nearer… That’s it – that’s it! Come closer, my lovely…
“What kind of farmhouse is it?” she asks as she approaches the side of the pool.
“Oh, it’s very unique!” he says excitedly. “It has a bright red, two-story barn that really stands out. I’m told it’s quite a sight. Here; let me show you.”
He reaches into his jacket pocket muttering, “I know it’s in here somewhere!” Then he kneels down as though he’s going to produce the picture… That’s it, my pet… just a little closer…
“I’m not sure I’ve seen anything like that around here,” she says curiously as she wades to the edge of the pool. “It sounds like a marvelous place. I’d like to see that barn.”
His heart beats excitedly in his chest, knowing the moment is at hand. It’s an intoxicating feeling. He experiences an incredible rush knowing what she does not know.
He wants to drown her. He wants to snuff out the life of a beautiful, innocent unsuspecting young woman. He’s so excited that his hands are shaking a little.
“Here it is!” he declares as he pulls his hand out of his jacket.
She instinctively leans closer, eager to see this amazing farmhouse with its intriguing barn. It takes a moment for her to realize there’s nothing in his hand. She’s astonished at his deception.
It’s all the time he needs. He lashes out a hand. Then he victoriously grabs a handful of hair.
She cries out in alarm. Then she screams in utter horror as her head is pushed under. A flurry of bubbles erupt all around her head.
Her feet fly out from under her as she thrashes about. She kicks wildly as she claws at the hand in her hair. The rest of her dark brown strands flow all around her head.
He cannot believe his good fortune. The serial drowner has stumbled upon another unwitting victim. He cannot believe his good fortune… Yes! Ohmygawd; yes! It feels incredible!
Excitement surges through his body like a drug hitting his nervous system. He watches excitedly as she squirms and struggles in his iron grip. There’s a burst of bubbles, followed by another. Then her body starts convulsing, indicating she’s just sucked pool water into her lungs…
Yes, my sweet! Drown for me! Show me those glorious convulsions!
He’s never felt so alive as he does at this very moment. He always feels this euphoric the moment he’s depriving an unsuspecting young thing of her right to breathe. One moment she’s alive, and well… Then next she is hitching and gurgling as she drowns in his relentless grip.
Her struggles lessen as her hands weakly flail about. Her body spasms in obvious agony. Then she abruptly goes limp at the surface.
The last of her air slips out of her lungs. It flows freely to the surface, erupting in little bubbles through her waving brown hair. Now there’s no longer a need to hold her head underwater.
He rises up, sighing happily as a feeling of intense pleasure flows through his body. He stares at her floating form for the longest time while shaking the water off his hand… So very, very good…
Sadly he decides it’s time to leave. He’d like to stay a little longer, but he’s had his fix. There’s no need to take any unnecessary chances.
He stands up and looks around to confirm he’s still alone. Thankfully there are no witnesses to be dealt with.
He quickly walks back along the edge of the pool and slips out the door. His bloodlust has been temporarily quenched again. He leaves her bobbing up and down in the water.
Lifeless eyes stare down at the pool floor. A mouth agapes open. A few more bubbles slip out, followed by a few more.
Her legs sink lower into the water. Then she loses all buoyancy. She slowly descends to the bottom.
Her feet come in contact with the cement floor. She slowly topples forward until she’s lying on her chest. Eventually she’ll be discovered when the manager comes inside. But it’s only because the woman casually looks down into her pool and sees the body lying on the bottom.
2007; 2020 (written Feb 3 ’07; ed. Jul 17 ‘20 by riwa)
(The story is inspired by the picture of the ex-Mrs. Riwa doing a good job of floating face down while holding her breath.)