he glances at the clock for the upteenth time, instantly regretting how much time he spent staring at the ceiling. he couldnt fully understand why he couldnt sleep; perhaps, his heart, just as much as mind, was frazzled and uncontent. many possibilities for these thoughts raced through his mind, but no answers emerged to the surface. work was running smoothly. everyone in his family was healthy and still kicking. but as he tossed and turned in bed, he still felt an unsettling feeling in the back of his mind. he craved something more to life than what was handed to him. he needed to sink his teeth into something- anything, really- that could tear him away from his everyday routine. after he realized that his questions couldn't be answered tonight, he rolled over and kissed his beautiful fiance on the forehead, about to retire for the evening. as his lips touched her skin, though, he felt something related to an electric shock race through his body. he finally realized what he had to do.

she received a phone call very early in the morning, long before the sun had kissed the earth. it was him. the call was to inform her that he needed to talk, and he was on his way over. she groggily agreed, unsure what the unexpected visit would contain. she hopped into the shower and threw on his favorite blouse on her.

he arrived into the gated suburban community and parked 2 blocks away from her house. he tapped gently on her bedroom window, careful not to rustle the bushes, in desperate fear that her parents would awaken. he saw her open the window and helped him in.

she still lay in confusion as the bewildered man came in. she instantly saw that something was troubling him.

he grabbed her left hand and eased her over to the bed.

out of routine, she began kissing his neck, slowly caressing the middle of his back, being ever-so-careful not to jump on impulse and dig her nails into his bare flesh. no marks can be evident.

a tear rolled down his cheek as his mind began to race and his blood started pumping.

she lost her breath when she felt and heard his breath mere centimeters from her ear. she cringed. she asked if he brought a condom.

"a smart man always comes prepared," he said, as he reached into his leather jacket pocket.

she grabbed the bottom of her shirt and gracefully pulled upwards until it was on the floor. she lay on the bed and adoringly looked up into the eyes of the man that gave her butterflies.

he, to her bewilderment, reached into his pocket, and instead of pulling out protection, exposed a 6- inch blade of shiny metal.

she saw the knife, but wasn't quck enough to react.

******************************

he lay in bed that morning, as the sun rose onto earth's brow line. he kissed his fiance on the forehead, and all his thoughts, both good and bad, melted away. he fell asleep to the steady breathing of the love of his life.