My secret stirred deep, purring softly to the sound of the engine as we cruised down the highway into the city. If ignorance is bliss than he is radiant with it; for he knows nothing. His innocence is that of a child happily stroking a dog that will soon sink his teeth deep into the child's face. I can feel it. He grips the wheel, and hangs one arm out the window caressing the side, murmuring praise. And to what? Does he know what he praises! If there were a conscience within me, it would bear upon my soul. But the grease and metal guts hold nothing, nothing save the desire to feed of their fear. With each mile I burn hotter.

The sun, being soaked up by my glossy red finish, add to the burn within me. Reflecting off of the mirror finish of chrome, the glimmer is just a disguise, masking my stare as I look into the eyes of my prey. Cylinders igniting, pipes crying, I blast through small towns, sheltered havens, searching, seeking, waiting for the one who, stepping unawares onto the dark surface of the road, will feel the agonizing bite of my steel teeth and the crushing weight of my strength turning their body into pulp.

I feel her within me. She is there whispering, always whispering...ever present in my thoughts. "Take", she say's. "They took me". TAKE! TAKE! TAKE! And I will, but not for her. Not for the small cube of crushed metal sitting in some forgotten junk yard. Not for her. Not for Christine. No, I will take for myself and sigh gleefully with the sound of bones crunching like ice beneath my wheels.

I love the look upon your face. Aglow with the wonder of a red antique Chrysler idling down the street. The "oohs" and the glimmer of your eye as you think of yourself riding careless and free into the wind. Come then, ride with me. Yes, from the shadows as darkness fades deeper into black, perhaps you should look both ways too before you step lightly from the corner and into my lair. Take heed to the growl of the distant engine idling not too far from you. And to the screech of rubber and the snarl of my secret as I welcome you into my embrace.

[End]