Maxwell Stegner, originally from Ukiah, California, is a celebrated author and knife maker, now living in the Bay Area with his family. His debut novel, the first in the 'Behind the Curtain' trilogy, was a resounding success, sparking a passion for writing that continues to thrive. Maxwell's works, primarily in literary fiction, captivate readers with their immersive narratives and intricate world-building. His storytelling, much like his knife making, is a craft that requires patience, precision, and a keen eye for detail. As he continues his writing journey, Maxwell invites readers to join him in exploring the depths of human emotion and experience through his stories.
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THE INNOCENT MENACE
by
Max Stegner
My heart is pounding in my chest like a drumbeat of impending doom. The bitter cold winter air bit at my exposed skin, taunting me with its icy fingers. Every sound, every shadow seemed to conspire against me, amplifying the sense of dread that had settled deep within my core.
My name is Jason Carter, and I am a notorious serial killer. Fueled by a twisted fascination with the macabre, I’ve spent years terrorizing unsuspecting victims with a sadistic pleasure that only a monster like me could revel in. But tonight, on this fateful New Year's Eve, my life would take a sinister turn I never thought possible.
As the clock struck midnight, the world around me seemed to warp and distort. A blinding light consumed me, engulfing me in its ethereal glow. And in that moment, I felt an indescribable force seizing control of my being. My body convulsed, contorting with unimaginable pain as my bones snapped and rearranged themselves. My limbs shrank, my skin tightened, and in the blink of an eye, I transformed into something else completely.
I was now a baby, a fragile bundle wrapped in a soft blanket, innocent and unsuspecting. But deep within the confines of this tiny form, my dark intentions still lurked. A sinister smile stretched across my cherubic face as I realized the power I now possessed. No longer bound by the limitations of my previous identity, I could wreak havoc and satisfy my insatiable hunger for blood with ease.
A kindly couple passing by discovered me lying on the cold pavement. Their eyes widened with astonishment as they cautiously approached. "Who would abandon such a precious child on New Year's Eve?" the woman whispered with concern etched across her face. Without hesitation, their hearts filled with compassion and they scooped me up, eager to provide a loving home for the newborn.
As I lay nestled in their arms, I knew that they had no idea of the horrors that awaited them. But their ignorance only fueled my fiendish delight. I could sense the warmth of their emotions, the tenderness of their love, and the trust they placed in me - all of which would serve as my sustenance as I fed on their innocence.
Their home was a picture-perfect vision of suburban bliss. A cozy living room with a roaring fire, a quaint kitchen filled with laughter and the aroma of freshly baked cookies, and a bedroom where they'd sing lullabies, rocking me gently to sleep. It was everything I could have ever dreamed of, and yet, it also held the key to my ultimate destruction.
Each member of this unsuspecting family would become a pawn in my twisted game. The father, a hardworking man who came home each day with a smile on his face and a song in his heart, was the first to fall. I watched from my crib as he merely sat down to rest, his eyes heavy from the day's exhaustion. Unsuspecting, he did not notice the wickedness that lurked within me, feeding on the love and trust this family offered.
Slowly, I inched my tiny hand toward his face, my cold, clammy fingers finding purchase on his cheek. He awoke startled, his eyes wide with fear as he stared back at me. In that moment, I morph into a grotesque, twisted creature, my once innocent face now twisted into a demonic snarl. The father tried to scream, but all that came out was a hoarse whisper as I tightened my grip around his neck, cutting off his air supply.
My mother, cries filled with terror, searched for her husband in vain. Her heart ached with love and fear as she paced through the silent house, calling for him until her voice faltered and gave out. But I knew where he was; I had ensured his fate.
In the stillness of the night, I slipped from my crib, making my way to the next unsuspecting victim. My mother, who had devotedly cared for me, never suspecting the evil I was capable of concealing. She was in the kitchen, humming a lullaby as she prepared dinner. I approached her, my chubby hands reaching out to grasp her arm.
"What is it, my sweet?" she asked, her voice filled with love and concern. "Do you need something?"
I turned into the demonic creature once more, my twisted face contorted in rage. My mother stumbled back; her eyes wide with terror as she realized the horror that had befallen her family. I tightened my grip around her throat, her eyes bulging as she desperately tried to fight back against my ungodly strength. In the end, her screams were silenced as her lifeless body crumpled to the floor.
As the hours passed, I continued my reign of terror, each member of this once-happy family succumbing to my relentless wrath. The siblings, too young to fully comprehend the horror that unfolded around them, were left to witness their own untimely demise. Their voices, filled with fear and confusion, echoed through the silent house.
And so, the so-called "Baby New Year" unleashed a nightmare upon a family who had offered him nothing but love and kindness. His insatiable hunger for blood and the twisted satisfaction of being the center of attention fueled by terror consumed him.
In the early hours of the morning, the darkness began to lift as the first light of dawn began to peer through the curtains. It was then that I heard the sound of footsteps approaching the once-peaceful home. My eyes widened as I recognized the familiar uniform; it was CPS.
As they entered the house, the once-welcoming home was now a horror show, a disturbing echo of what it once was. They discovered the lifeless bodies of the family, lying in the same positions they had been brutally killed in hours before. The baby could be seen, watching from his now-empty crib, with a cruel grin plastered across his twisted, demonic face.