A shift in the breeze told Samuel Bess that autumn had arrived. While he came to the park two blocks from his apartment dressed in a thin jacket that afternoon and expecting lower temperatures, the sudden cool wind was what officially signified the end of summer. In a few months the trees, grass, and sidewalks would be covered by a think blanket of snow, and Sam's weekend strolls to this park would become significantly less frequent.

Sam let out a deep breath as his dark brown eyes scanned the passerby's around him. He was seated at his favorite park bench, reading over the New York Times while enjoying the last few days of reasonably warm weather.

He watched a cute couple laugh as they passed him by without notice. Their happiness was one he had never truly felt. Sam was pushing thirty-one and had yet to find a woman that would make him truly happy. He was certainly attractive enough, and had the wit and charm to win over the heart of a young woman if he put his best face forward, but Sam wanted something else from the woman he wanted. Something he knew he shouldn't have.

The yipping of the light brown Yorkshire terrier interrupted his train of thought. The energetic young pup scampered left and right, twisting its leash around the legs of its master. Sam would have tried to ignore the incessant noise had his gaze not fallen upon the owner of the boisterous pup.

She looked about twenty-three, with shoulder-length auburn brown hair, and sweet, sparkling hazel eyes. She was dressed in a blue overcoat with black buttons fastened tightly around her slim figure.

Sam smiled as he watched her struggle to untangle the leash from around her legs. She appeared to be losing her balance, as she twisted her body about, all while keeping her feet mounted on a pair of black high heels.

After finally untangling herself, the dog raced down the pathway, prompting its attractive owner to tighten her grip on its leash.

Sam tried to remain incognito, keeping his face concealed behind his newspaper, but as the woman and her dog advanced down the asphalt pathway in his direction, it became very apparent Sam's presence would not go unnoticed.

Although the young woman made an effort to restrain the energetic animal, soon the dog was at Sam's ankles yipping vigorously.

"Snuffy! Snuffy! Get back here!" the young woman hissed, but the dog was persistent.

Sam lowered his newspaper and let his gaze meet the young woman's eyes.

"Sorry," the woman said sweetly. Her smile was broad and beautiful. Sam could not take his eyes off her. "He's just saying hi."

Sam had experienced many run-ins with dogs an their masters in his life, and found 'he's just saying hi, ' ranked right up with 'he won't bite' and 'he's just being friendly' as the most common expression uttered by dog owners upon meeting strangers.

Sam elected to ignore the cliched greeting and instead address the opportunity that was now knocking.

Sam bent down and scratched the young pup behind its ears.

"Nice doggy," Sam petted the dogs' fur for several seconds before looking up at the face of the beautiful woman holding its leash.

"How old is he?" Sam asked.

"Picked him up at the shelter three years ago when he was a newborn," the woman said. "Been my best buddy ever since. He's my guard dog."

She laughed.

"Yeah, I'd feel safer with this fearsome little fella watching over my place," Sam said.

Sam growled playfully, prompting laughter from the young woman.

"I'm Dawn Priestly," the woman said, extending her hand.

"Sam Bess," Sam replied, taking her hand. Her skin was warm and soft. As the wind shifted once again, Sam's heart skipped a beat as he smelled the aroma of her perfume.

"I've seen you here before," Sam said. "You live around here?"

"Yup. I live in the apartments just across the street from Cider Lake," Dawn said. "Been there three years, ever since I got little Snuffy here. My old place didn't allow pets."

"Quite a hike for you, isn't it?" Sam asked. "That's a couple blocks away."

"I like the exercise," Dawn said. "Helps me stay in shape."

Sam could not deny that. Even through her coat Sam could tell Dawn had a fantastic body. Dawn looked at her watch and then back at Sam.

"Almost Five. I have to get going. Well it was really nice meeting you Sam," Dawn said. "I hope I we'll come across each other again soon!"

"Pleasure is all mine," Sam said.

"Come on, Snuffy!" Dawn said as she tugged onto the dog's leash, and they took off down the pathway. Sam watched as she walked away. She had a nice ass, Sam noted, and also a fine pair of legs. She must have been wearing a skirt under her coat, because her legs were bare. Sam kept his eyes fixated upon her until she and her dog were completely out of sight.

"Dawn Priestly."

Sam entered her name in the Google search bar as soon as he got home. To his disappointment, nothing promising came up. Sam took a sip of his beer, and set it aside. There had to be a way to find her. Something about Dawn Priestly captured Sam's interest. Sam wasn't sure if it was simply her beauty, her smile, or the way she laughed, but ever since his encounter with her in the park Sam had been dying to find out more about her. He wanted her.

Sam shifted through several articles, none of which seemed to pertain to the Dawn Priestly whom he was seeking.

"Jim Priestly and Dawn Meadows..."

"Roger Priestly's Greatest Hits posted by user Dawn..."

"Christine Priestly's MyPlace page Comments by Dawn Robinson..."

None of the hits seemed relevant. Although one did give him an idea.

"MyPlace," Sam said to himself.

Sam was not altogether familiar with the social networking site popular among young people, but he had heard of it.

Sam typed "MyPlace.com" into the address bar and after being overwhelmed by annoying ads and popups, decided this may be a good place to start searching.

"Dawn Priestly" did not uncover any relevant results from a brief MyPlace search, but Sam knew there was a chance Dawn would not include her last name on her profile. The problem was, typing simply "Dawn" uncovered far too many results.

Sam let out a sigh and took another sip of beer. Maybe Dawn was like him. Maybe she was not "plugged in" to the trendy young, youth-oriented fads of today.

No, Sam thought. She is young; she is pretty, and likely popular. Sam was convinced Dawn was somewhere on this site. He just had to search more. A thought came to his mind.

He typed in "Dawn Snuffy" into the search bar, and lo and behold, a familiar set of hazel eyes stared back at him from his computer screen.

"Dawn Age 23, Location: Grand Blanc, MI, "pics of me and Snuffy at the Fourth of..."

"Bingo," Sam said to himself.

Her profile was decorated pink with flying stars and hearts. A song by some popular male crooner played upon opening her profile, which Sam immediately shut off.

Sam spent the next hour reading Dawn's profile up and down. He admired all of her pictures, although he was disappointed that none of the pictures showed her in the nude. She did include one photo of herself in a bikini, but only from the waist up. She was pictured with two of her friends, all her smiling and holding drinks. Of the three of them, Dawn had the nicest tits, Sam thought.

Sam stared lustfully at Dawn's ample cleavage, and inserted his hand into his pants and began to play with his privates. As he became more and more aroused, Sam found himself typing another address into the search bar: "www.womeninpain.com," Sam's favorite pornography site. Sam found himself tantalized by the graphic images of naked women being tortured by masked men. He entered his personal password and opened a video depicting a young brunette, chained to a wall, and two men with hooks taking turns cutting the flesh from her naked body.

Sam put on a set of headphones and turned the volume up high to hear her screams. He used to play videos from this site on his speakers but the neighbors in the apartment next to his complained and filed a police report.

Sam watched as the men in the video ripped the woman's throat out and her blood spilled onto their hooks. Sam climaxed as he watched the helpless woman take one last breath and collapse.

After Sam wiped up his mess, he clicked the back button back to Dawn Priestly's MyPlace page. As Sam stared back at Dawn's picture, her sparkling eyes and bright smile beaming at him, he couldn't help but smile back.

Sam had been lying awake in bed for three hours when he decided he was going to murder Dawn Priestly. It was not a simple decision for him. He had never taken the life of a human being before, but there was no doubt in his mind that he wanted to now. Having met her only hours earlier, Sam realized his feelings for her were so strong he was prepared to make the biggest decision of his or her lives.

He wasn't sure how or when. Her MyPlace page said her birthday was December 29. Sam decided he would set that as his deadline, so he would have to find a way to kill her before then. As for how, he would need time to think. He didn't want her to suffer too much, but a little. He wanted to enjoy it, so she would need to be put under a bit of pain before he did her in. Sam imagined the grisly scenes he had witnessed at womeninpain.com, but Sam was not ready to commit an atrocity such as those. He didn't feel he was ready. Sam decided Dawn's death would need to be simple. A little sex, a little torture, and then he would end it. Nothing too complicated. No chickening out, Sam told himself, he was going through with this and there was no turning back. Sam had made up his mind, and the planning for Dawn Priestly's murder was underway.

Sam awoke early the next morning and began to write up a plan and a list of items he would need. Cuffs, he would need a way to restrain her. A weapon, preferably a handgun, mainly to coerce her into cooperating with him, not necessarily to finish her off. Knives of course, or other instruments to cause pain. He would also need a way to dispose of her body when he was finished, somewhere it would never be found. This one was tricky. Sam did not realize planning a murder would take so much work. December 29 was only three months away, and Sam began to wonder if that would be enough time. Sam realized he would need to start watching her. He would have to track her down, familiarize himself with her daily habits, find out where she went, and when. Sam would have to develop an acute understanding of every layer of Dawn Priestly's life if he ever intended to claim it as his own. Sam shut his notebook, put on his coat, and decided to take a walk in the park.

Jaime Evans stopped at Dawn Priestly's cubicle as she waited for her to get off the phone. Dawn smiled and held up her index finger, mouthing the words "one moment."

"Yes, I can have that ready for you," Dawn said. "Should take no time at all. Thank you."

Dawn hung up the phone, and looked up at Jaime.

"Yes, Jaime?" Dawn said.

"I looked over our progress, and, well, it looks like we might not have the Johnston Report done in time," Jaime said.

Dawn turned her chair in Jaime's direction.

"Okay," Dawn said. "I'll tell Ron. Don't worry about a thing."

"Psshh!"

Nancy Oakwood, who was busy working in the neighboring cubicle, tsked at Dawn's remark. Dawn ignored her.

"Well, he's on his way over," Jaime said. "Hope he takes it well."

Jaime walked away, trying to stay out of Ron's sight. Dawn quickly cleaned up her work area as Ron Finley, her supervisor, made his way towards her desk. She straightened her papers into a neat pile, and as she reached for a nearby file folder, she knocked her coffee mug off her desk, spilling coffee onto her lap. She was wearing a short black miniskirt and nylon stockings, and while she avoided spilling the coffee onto her skirt, the coffee soaked her stockings all the way through.

"Damn it!" Dawn cursed to herself, and grabbed a napkin and began wiping herself off just as Ron arrived at her cubicle.

"Dawn! How are things with the Johnston Report?" Ron asked.

"Just a moment Ron, I had an accident here," Dawn said. Dawn turned her chair to the side and began carefully sliding her stockings down her long, slender legs. Ron tried not to stare, even as Dawn pulled her skirt upwards so she could get better reach at her stockings.

"Sorry about that Ron," Dawn said, as she opened her desk drawer. She could feel Nancy's watchful eyes as she tucked her coffee-stained stockings into her desk drawer, only to remove a new, clean pair.

"The way things are going, it looks like we might not have that report done when you wanted it," Dawn said, as she began sliding a new pair of stockings on. Ron tried to maintain eye contact but felt his glance continuously shift down to her legs.

"We're working as fast as we can, but you have to be realistic, Ron," Dawn said, pulling her stocking farther and farther up her thigh. "There's only so much a few busybodies like Jaime and I can handle."

Dawn ran her hands smoothly over her legs, and then looked back at Ron, who nervously shot his glance back towards her eyes.

"Not a problem, Dawn," Ron smiled. "The project can wait a little longer. I know you'll do your best."

"Thanks, Ron, you're a peach," Dawn smiled, and Ron walked away. After Ron walked out of sight, Jaime came back around the corner.

"Nice save, Dawn!" Jaime said in relief. "You just saved our asses!"

"You got to learn how to talk to people, Jaime," Dawn said.

"Yeah, 'talk'" Nancy muttered.

Dawn peered into Nancy's cubicle.

"Got something to say, Nancy?" Dawn asked.

"No, nothing," Nancy said, and then coughed what sounded like the word 'slut.'"

Jaime rolled her eyes.

"Don't mind her," Jaime said. "She's just jealous cause she never gets any male attention around here."

"Never occurred to me," Dawn said. "Anyway, we're gonna have to buckle down and get the project done ASAP."

"Another late night, huh?" Jaime asked.

"I was going to do some shopping today, I guess I'll have to do it on my lunch break," Dawn said.

"I would too, but that's my laundry time," Jaime laughed.

It was 12:05 when Dawn arrived at the mini-mart just one block from her office building. Dawn grabbed a shopping cart and pushed it down the aisles, quickly grabbing the essentials she would need to survive for that week. After filling her cart with various produce, she was browsing the fresh fruit when she heard a familiar voice.

"Pineapples on sale this week."

Dawn turned around in surprise.

"Sam?"

Sam smiled.

"Nice to see you again, Dawn," Sam said. She looked even more beautiful than the day he met her. Sam admired Dawn's blazer and miniskirt. She looked absolutely fantastic. "How you doing?"

"A little hurried," Dawn said. "Doing shopping on my lunch break now."

"It's a shame its come to that," Sam said.

"How so?" Dawn asked, grabbing a pineapple and carefully setting it into her shopping cart.

"Well, isn't a lunch beak, for, I don't know, having lunch?" Sam asked.

"In a quaint time in history, yes," Dawn laughed.

"Seems to me we might all benefit from taking some time in our day to just relax, grab a coffee, you know what I mean?"

"Yeah," Dawn said, glumly. "Unfortunately coffee time for me is behind the wheel of my car or my desk at work, pretty much."

"Yeah, same here," Sam said.

Dawn looked at her watch.

"Looks like I got to get going," she said. "Sam it was really nice talking to you again, I hope I'll see you again soon."

"Me too." Sam said.

Sam watched as Dawn pushed her cart down the produce aisle. He would have given anything to put his hands on her body at that very moment, but he knew such an act was not possible at this time. Soon though, Sam said to himself. Soon, she would be all his.

By mid October the weather had dropped to unseasonal lows, and Sam no longer continued his weekend strolls in the park. He had not spoken to Dawn since their run-in at the supermarket, and now three weeks had passed and Sam's plans for her were well underway.

In the weeks since their last meeting, Sam watched her on a daily basis, monitoring every activity she did outdoors. He had her route from her apartment to her workplace mapped out and memorized, and even knew what stores she frequently shopped. Meanwhile, Sam was doing plenty shopping of his own.

"That there is a .40 caliber Glock 22," the store clerk said. "Favored by most police units around the United States, that sucker holds fifteen rounds and is considered the perfect pistol."

Sam picked up the handgun and admired it.

"Is there a waiting period for this model?"

"Assuming you got no criminal record, it's yours in three days," the clerk said.

"Not a problem," Sam said. "I'll take it."

On November 1, Sam purchased a cottage fifty miles north of Grand Blanc. It was a cozy little getaway, in a secluded part of the forest, with no neighbors or troublesome police for miles.

"The previous owners installed an indoor Jacuzzi," the agent explained.

Sam looked around the quaint house in awe. It had an old fashioned fireplace, solid oak siding, and a spectacular skylight overlooking the den.

"Does it have a basement?" Sam asked.

"It isn't developed," the agent said. " Only concrete flooring, and brick siding."

"I'd like to take a look," Sam said.

The agent led Sam down a narrow wooden stairway. Sam felt right at home in the dark, dank basement. The agent flicked on a dangling light bulb and showed him around to several barren rooms.

"The previous owner didn't use the basement for much. Just a wine cellar I believe."

Sam kicked a dusty piece of wood lying on the floor.

"I love it," he said.

Sam spent the next month renovating his new house. He build his own restraining hitch, a reclining bed fitted with sturdy iron shackles, and set up a weapons rack which he filled up with his favorite toys.

It took him several weeks to transport his favorite toys up to his cottage, being busy with his daytime job, but soon his new basement was now his personal dungeon, complete with knives, whips, spears, a branding iron, and even a room he filled from wall to wall with shards of broken glass. He doubted he would use all of these tools on Dawn, but he liked having all of them present for ambience.

When Sam flipped his calendar to the month of December, he circled the date of December 27. Sam swore to himself, that day would be Dawn Priestly's date with death.

Dawn Priestly was sound asleep on her couch when she heard a knock at her door. She awoke in a startle, and realized it was the middle of the afternoon and she was sprawled over her couch wearing only a t-shirt and panties. Snuffy stood in front of the door barking madly.

Dawn quickly pulled on a pair of shorts and opened her apartment door, and found herself face to face with a deliveryman holding a bouquet of red roses.

"Dawn Priestly?" the deliveryman asked.

"Yes, that's me."

"These are for you." The deliveryman handed her the flowers.

Dawn was dumbfounded.

"Me? Who are they from?"

"Dunno," the deliveryman shrugged. "The sender asked to remain anonymous."

Dawn took the bouquet, and was at an absolute loss for words.

"Have a nice day," the deliveryman said.

"I will." Dawn said. She shut the door, and stared in amazement at her unexpected gift. Snuffy jumped about at her ankles, yipping at the aroma-laden flora.

"Down, Snuffy!" Dawn said.

She took a seat on the couch, and sifted through the flowers, until she found a folded letter. Dawn's heart raced as she opened the card, and in the neatest handwriting she had ever read, saw the words:

"Dawn,

"Your beauty is greater than the loveliest bouquet I could send you. You are the light in my life, my greatest joy. I love you."

That was it. No signature. No return address. Just a random bouquet of roses from a man who evidently thought the world of her, and she could not even begin to guess at his identity.

Ron? She thought for a second. No, no, it was definitely not him. Ron might have had the hots for her, but he wouldn't do this. Even if her birthday and Christmas was approaching.

Dawn placed the flowers into a vase and set them on her kitchen table. It was a mystery that would be resolved another day.

Dawn should have known something was awry, because Nancy gave her a dirty look as she walked into her office building the following Monday. Dirtier than usual, that is. since Nancy always made it known she did not care for Dawn.

Her question was answered when she arrived at her desk, and found a silver necklace placed on the surface, with an envelope tucked underneath.

Jaime approached behind her, having obviously already seen the gift and curious as to the identity of the sender.

"That is beautiful! Do you have a new boyfriend you haven't told me about?"

"No!" Dawn explained, setting her purse upon her desk. "I got some roses at my apartment last Saturday too. I don't know who's sending me this!"

"Oh my God, you have a secret admirer!" Jaime shrieked.

"Jaime, please, you're not in seventh grade anymore!" Dawn said, though she was a bit anxious herself. Dawn picked up the necklace and placed it around her neck, making her look twice as fabulous to Nancy's disdain.

"Open the envelope! Open it!" Jaime said.

Dawn took a seat at her desk and opened the envelope. In the same handwriting as on the note that came with her bouquet, the envelope read:

"Dearest Dawn,

"Your eyes sparkle like the moonlight. I long to feel the breath of your kiss. I live every day to tell you how I feel myself, but that day will have to wait. With much love,"

No name was given.

"I don't get it," Dawn said. "Who is this guy?"

"Why are you fussing, aren't you happy?" Jaime exclaimed. "You are so lucky, I want one too!"

"That's because you're not sleeping with the boss," Nancy mumbled.

"It's not from Ron!" Jaime and Dawn said at the same time.

"Whatever," Nancy said.

Dawn walked over towards Nancy angrily.

"Hey, listen, I don't know what I did to earn the title of Office Tramp in your eyes, but it wasn't sleeping with the boss," Dawn said. "I have never, nor will I ever have any involvement with Ron or any other manager in this office!"

Nancy looked up at Dawn.

"Then you're very naive," Nancy said.

"How am I naive?" Dawn demanded.

"Oh please! The way you lick your lips when he's around, your short skirts and low cut blouses, the way you bend over so he can check out your tits and ass! Don't tell me you don't do that on purpose sweetheart, I wasn't born yesterday."

"You know what?" Dawn said. "I'm going to ask him. Right now, straight up."

"The floor is yours," Nancy said, and resumed typing.

Dawn marched down the hallway towards Ron's corner office, and Jaime followed close behind. Dawn knocked briskly on the door, and entered.

"Yes, Dawn?" Ron asked.

Dawn dropped the envelope onto Ron's desk, and held up her necklace for him to see.

"Ron did you send me this necklace?" Dawn asked.

"No," Ron said.

Dawn looked back at Jaime.

"Really?" Dawn asked.

"Yes, Dawn what is this about?" Ron asked.

"You didn't send me flowers on Saturday?"

"No! Dawn honestly, I did not!" Ron said.

Dawn picked the envelope off his desk.

"Thank you," she said. "That's all I wanted to know."

Dawn and Jaime exited Ron's office.

"Then who?" Jaime asked.

Dawn looked around the entire office and sighed.

"I have no idea."

Sam kept his face hidden when Dawn emerged from her office building. He waited around just long enough to see the silver necklace around her neck, and his business was finished. Sam kept his back turned as he took off in the opposite direction, smiling the entire way. She liked his gift! Sam's pulse raced as he made his way down the sidewalk. Only one more week until his deadline, and Sam had all of his preparations in place.

He waited until 8 in the evening before he made his way to Dawn's apartment building. A friendly neighbor let him into the building and soon Sam made his way down the hall to the outside of Dawn's door. It was too soon for her to learn his identity, but that time would come soon. Sam slid an envelope under Dawn's doorway and bolted for the exit.

Sam did not sleep the night before the 27th. He still did not know for absolute certain that Dawn would show up at the designated location when he wanted. By morning he was in a sweat, with images of Dawn racing through his mind. All the preparations at the cottage had been made. Sam was certain that no one would ever discover her body or his identity.

He left his apartment at 5pm. His Glock was secured safely in his jacket pocket. He double-checked to make sure it was loaded and ready. Sam got into his car, and drove out of his apartment complex for his first and last date with Dawn Priestly.

Dawn slid her slender body into a brand new black strapless dress. She examined herself in the mirror. Her dress was cut low, it showed plenty of cleavage, and was tight enough to complement the curve of her sexy ass. It even had a long slit up the side for her bare leg to peek through as she walked. Dawn applied another layer of lipstick across her mouth and made a kissing motion in the mirror.

"Well Snuffy, here goes nothing," she said. Dawn placed the silver necklace around her neck before double-checking the envelope she found slid underneath her door the previous week.

"My Darling Dawn,

"I feel the time has come that I reveal myself to you. Just as I can no longer hold my feelings for you inside, neither can I conceal my identity. Please meet me on Thursday, December the Twenty-Seventh at six in the Evening at L'Olivier, and I will meet you at the entrance. You will know me when you see me. I love you with all of my heart."

Still no signature. Yes Dawn knew that would make it all the more exciting when she finally came face-to-face with her admirer.

Dawn leaned down to pet her dog.

"Mommy's got a date tonight, sweetie-pie," Dawn said. "Be good."

Dawn left an extra bowl of food out in case she did not come home until the morning. Snuffy yipped furiously as she made her way to the door.

"I said be good!" Dawn said.

Dawn stepped out of the apartment and shut the door behind her, with Snuffy still yipping as she left down the hallway of her apartment complex.

When Dawn arrived at L'Olivier at ten minutes to six, her heart was racing. Who was this guy? What if he isn't the sweet guy his letter seemed to suggest he was? Dawn tried to put her fear behind her as she pulled up to the valet.

"Name please?" the valet said.

"Dawn Priestly," she said.

"Oh yes, of course," the valet said. Dawn was delighted at how far her blind date had gone to make this a romantic evening for her. Dawn emerged from her car and handed her keys to the valet.

It was only a few feet to the entryway. She carefully stepped towards the doorway, worrying her nervousness might make her slip and fall flat on the pavement. Dawn stepped towards the entrance, through the doorway, and into the restaurant.

She was more beautiful than Sam had ever imagined she could look. When he saw her in her gorgeous black dress, her hair tied back into a stylish bun, Sam thought he might pass out from the shock. Their eyes met, and Dawns heart skipped as fast as Sam's.

"Sam?" Dawn exclaimed.

"Hello Dawn," Sam said. "You look absolutely stunning."

Dawn was at a loss for words.

"You're- you're"

"Yes, it was me, Dawn," Sam said.

Dawn stared back at him. Sam looked rather handsome, dressed in a rented black tux. Dawn didn't know what to say to him.

"Sam, I-"

"Please Dawn," Sam said. "I made reservations for us. Have dinner with me."

Dawn took a deep breath.

"Okay," Dawn said.

For Dawn, it was one of the most awkward dates she had ever experienced. She considered Sam to be far too old for her, yet with all of this effort, all this sweetness, he had done it just for her. Dawn decided she had to see this one dinner date out. She would decide how to handle the situation when it was over.

"How's work?" Sam asked.

"Oh, it's okay," Dawn said. "You got a lot of my coworkers wondering about you when they saw that necklace."

Sam smiled.

"Well, you'll have quite a story to tell them tomorrow, won't you?"

"Actually, I won't be going to work tomorrow," Dawn said.

Sam looked up in surprise.

"I took the day off," she said. "Saturday is my birthday."

"Oh I see," Sam laughed. "How old will you be then?"