Two Peas in a Pod

From his concealed advantage point he patiently waited for the right moment to strike. He watched his prey like a hawk as she watered the Dogwood tree in her enclosed backyard garden.

When the right moment arrived he slithered under the canopy covered patio through the unlocked gate.

The Dogwood tree's beautiful snow-white flowers had placed her in a tranquil trance.

She stood watering the garden oblivious to his stealthy approach.

Suddenly a cold shiver shot down her spine. Her sixth sense sounded an alarm in her head to defend herself from an imminent attack from behind.

In a split-second her assailant had her in a deadly choke-hold.

She fought hard to free herself and tried to reach behind her to scratch his masked face. She realized she was no match for the brute's overpowering death-hold. With sheer terror in her eyes she couldn't scream through a blocked airway.

Her mother's shocked apparition appeared between the branches of the Dogwood tree they had planted together five years ago.

Mother! Was her daughter's last thought in the physical world as she tried desperately to grasp her mother's outstretched hand.

Daylight turned to darkness.

The crazed assassin exerted more pressure to her neck and it snapped like a dry twig.

The perspiring and exhausted executioner let go and her dead-weight collapsed to the ground.

While bent over trying to catch his breath the deranged maniac felt light-headed and temporarily lost his footing.

As the masked slayer grabbed a limb on the Dogwood tree the force of his weight broke the limb before he regained his balance.

Without looking back the killer quickened his stride to distance himself from the crime scene.

Rick S. Sulik was born and raised in Youngstown, Ohio. He graduated from Boardman High School. He served four years in the USAF Military Police. He worked (3 1/2) years with the Houston Police Department, (22) years with the Pasadena Police Department, and (10) years as a courthouse bailiff with the Gonzales County Sheriff's Department.