The ordinary strangler - An original story part 3

Peter nearly instantly fell asleep when he climbed into the bed. It was nearly two o’ clock and he was grateful that he could sleep later the next morning because it was Saturday. For once he did not wake up, and when he did it was already nearly ten o clock in the morning.  Sylvia was not in bed and he listened to hear if she was busy in the kitchen.    

He didn’t hear anything and was just about to go downstairs when he remembered that Sylvia had to go to the spa with Jessie this morning. He had the whole afternoon to himself. He contemplated just staying in bed, but he was hungry and went downstairs to make himself some breakfast. 

First, he needed coffee. He had a slight headache from all the Sangria the previous night. He took the mug and went outside to smoke a cigarette. This was becoming a bad habit, but it was literally the only thing that excited him a little bit at this stage in his life. He took a deep pull and heard a racket next to the house. He walked around the house and saw that there were two dogs that got into the rubbish bin.   

He chased them away and decided to skip breakfast and go to town. He would grab something to eat there later.  He was in the mood for a proper piece of steak.  He phoned Sylvia to tell her that he was leaving but her phone was switched off and he just left a message.    

Peter drove to town feeling relaxed and stopped at a few shops on his way to the butchery.  There was a hobby shop around the corner and a comic book store as well as a bookshop. He took his time walking through each of the shops but couldn’t find anything interesting in the hobby shop. There was no one to rush him, and it felt good just being on his own.  

He hasn’t been in a comic book store for years, and he felt as excited as a child when he walked in. There were only young people and he suddenly felt like the oldest person on the planet. He grabbed a few Archie comics and paid for it on his way out.  

He searched through the books in the bookshop and there was only one book that drew his attention. He bought it and couldn’t wait to get home to start reading. 

On his way to the butchery he saw a little diner and decided to stop there for a bite to eat.  Sylvia would have a hissy fit if she saw him going in there, but he ordered a big greasy hamburger and double fries and washed it down with a double thick milkshake.  

He was totally stuffed when he left the diner with a smile on his face. He never had the opportunity to do anything on his own anymore, and perhaps it was time that he had more outings like these.  

All he wanted to do now was go back home and read his new book. Perhaps that would get rid of all the bullshit going around in his mind. 

Peter stopped at the butchery and bought a beautiful piece of steak to grill later that evening.  

He drove away feeling satisfied and content and was so deep in thought that he took a wrong turn somewhere. Before he knew it, he was driving through the worst part of town.