Chapter 3 - Certified Killer

I was put in a maximum security prison called Ellis Unit in Huntsville. My sentence started in August of 1989. It's been thirty-one years since my sentence. Today's the day I get released. I'm currently forty-nine years old now. My life has been shitty ever since age eighteen.

Ever since that time, I've never been able to show my true smile. I've never been able to even smile. There's nothing left for me to be happy for. My world; everything has turned hell. It's now 2020; 20 years since the new century. I heard that a virus broke out and the world is in quarantine. I believe it's true because all of the prison guards have masks on, including the officer who's currently walking me to sign my release form.

The officer led me to a room where I was given the release form. After that, my stuff is also returned to me; birth certificate, social security, etc. I change into a new pair of civilian clothes, and fold my uniform, placing it on the floor.

I'm then walked through several security checkpoints. Then finally, I'm walked through the exit of the prison, where I'm greeted by a black car. "You're free to go," the officer says. He leaves me outside with the vehicle. I walk up to the car and open the driver's door to find a woman with a nurse mask on. "Good morning, ma'am" I greeted. I didn't know someone would be driving me to my destination.

"Get in the back seat," she said while shutting the door. She said it rudely, but I understand why. I'm a criminal, and I've committed countless numbers of cruel crimes. I didn't forget all of the victims I've kidnapped and manipulated. I remember every single one of them and it haunts me to this day.

I saw on the news that the Police Department's SWAT teams raided Haney's warehouse and freed the children. I'm so glad they did so. I wish I could undo the past and maybe walk a different path. I wish I could've killed myself before manipulating my first victim. But, my family was in danger.

I open the back door and enter. I sit down and find a bottle of water in a cup holder. "May I take a sip?" I asked the woman. "Go for it" She responds. I pick up the bottle and turn the cap "Thanks, and, please take me to a hotel in Austin" I said to her.

"May I use the GPS on your phone?" She asks me. I got confused "GPS on my brick phone? I never had one" I replied. "You know what; you've been to prison for a long time," the woman said "I'll just use my phone. Here" she handed me a watch.

"What's this for?" I ask while grabbing the watch. "Something to help you keep track of time. It's a new world out there, and I believe you need something familiar to hold onto" she replied. "Thank you so much," I said to her. This is the first time someone has ever done something nice to me. As much as I wanted to give her a big smile, I couldn't. I sat there looking out the window as we drove away from my old home, prison.

TRAUMA OF '89

VOLUME 1, CHAPTER 3, CERTIFIED KILLER

A few hours later, we arrived at a hotel in Austin. I need to find where my family lives; I hope they're okay. They haven't contacted me for thirty-one years, even while I was in prison, so I hope they're really okay. The woman wakes me up. I open the car door and exit the vehicle, thanking the driver as I close the door. I carry my bag to the front desk and open my wallet. I have one hundred and thirty dollars. "One room, please" I request.

I entered the room and threw my bag on the ground. I look to my left to find a TV. I was stunned. Why is it so big and flat? I realize that I've missed out a lot in the world. I head downstairs to the lobby and search for a phone book. I need to call my family's home. "Where the heck is it?" I said in frustration. I also can't seem to find a payphone anywhere in the lobby.

I walk to the front desk "Do you guys have phone books?" I asked. "Excuse me?" The worker asked. "A phone book" I repeated myself. "What is that?" She asked. "What?" I became confused. The silence was loud and I began getting more frustrated. "I'll go ask my manager," she said.

When she comes back, the manager asks "Can I help you?"

"Yeah, where are your guy's phone books? And where can I find a payphone?" I ask. "Phone books?" She chuckled "Where have you been for the last ten years?"

I was confused. Do phone books not exist anymore? Do I look stupid? "Okay, then how else am I supposed to call my home?" I ask. "Use your phone, don't you have one?" The clerk asks. "No, you guys don't provide one; how am I supposed to call them?" I get irritated "How do you guys call your families?"

"We use our phones" the manager pulls out a small flat rectangular-shaped screen "This is called a smartphone"

"Where is it connected to?" I asked. "Service?" The manager looked annoyed "No, seriously, where have you been for the last decade?"

"Prison" I respond. They both look at each other in silence. "Where's your nearest library?" I ask.

Later, I arrived at the library "Do you guys have phone books?" I ask again. "No, we do not. We have computers, do you want to use that to get ahold of whoever you're looking for?" She asked. "Yes," I answered. She sat me down on a chair with a computer. She opens a web browser called Chrome. "Whitepages.com," she said "You can search for your family here"

I know I grew up in Austin, but I don't remember what street I lived in. The memories are not clear; so I really need to find my family. I search for Cross and scroll until the end. Nothing. I open a new tab and search for my mother's name, Sally Cross. "Huh?" I am confused. Under my mother's name says "Vick Cross's mother"

I open a new tab and search for my name. It reveals a picture of me and under my name it says...

"American serial killer"

My eyes open wide in shock as I continue reading my description "Vick Cross also known as Alan Becker, is an American serial killer and kidnapper, who kidnapped and murdered dozens of young boys and girls between 1987 and 1989"

I sat there in silence as tears ran down my eyes. I continue to stare at the screen as I realize that I am now known as a serial killer. The description doesn't say anything about me being a victim. I didn't even start killing in 1987, I was a normal boy. The whole day, I continued reading articles on the internet. Not one mentions me getting kidnapped and forced to do those crimes.

HOURS LATER

I wake up. It's 9:20 P.M. "The library is closing in ten minutes, sir. May you please leave?" The librarian asked politely. I stand up and walk out of the library. Later in the hotel's bed, I stare at the ceiling wondering what my next move should be. I still don't know if my family is alive. I can't get caught with my identity or else I'll gain attention from people. I close my eyes and fall asleep.

THE NEXT DAY, 9 A.M

I've been searching for hours, ever since 6 A.M, for my old neighborhood. I have to find my family and tell them the truth. I have to make sure they're alive. I've been running around town trying to find the neighborhood. I fall on the floor while gasping for air.

"Look at that guy" a group of kids laugh from across the street while walking. Some pull out their phones and began recording me "Look at that crackhead" they whispered. I got up and continued searching for my neighborhood. Suddenly I stumble upon a woman. I gasp for air as I run past her "Hey, do you need some help?" She asks.

I turn back to the woman. "I'm fine," I say; trying to hurry back to searching. "You look like you've been through hell" She walks closer to me "Are you okay?" She kept bothering me.

I didn't want to be rude and continue off my search "I'm fine"

She gently places her right hand on my left cheek "Life's been tough on you, hasn't it?"

My breath slowly calms as I stand there awkwardly with her. My heart starts racing, it feels like being near my crush in high school. It feels like time has paused. I feel warmth and comfort, something that I have never felt in the last thirty-one years. I feel safe, valued, and understood.

Tears fall from my eyes. Oh God, I'm crying. She leans in for a hug as I wrap my arms around her tightly. "It hasn't" I replied. My heart beat faster as I cried harder. She gently pats my back "It's gonna be okay. Everything's gonna be fine" She said in a calm and soothing voice.

Later, we walked on the sidewalk and I told her my problem. I told her that my name was Nate Rogers, and I just woke up from a thirty-one-year coma and lost contact with my family. I hope she believes me. I do not want anyone to know my past. She introduces herself as Charlotte Everly, a divorced single mother with one child.

"You said your last memory was in 1984, right? Thirteen years old?" She asked me. "Yeah" I replied "I'm basically a thirteen-year-old in an old man's body"

I didn't want her to know the exact year I fell into a coma, or else she would tie the knots if I told her it was 1989, and found out that I went to prison instead. I like this woman. She seems lovely and cool. What if I became her new partner? What if I met her son?

She laughs "You sure are," she said "Do you remember any of your relatives' names? Maybe they might have an Instagram account" She pulled out her cellphone and typed in a four-digit code. She goes on the app called Instagram "Name?" She asks.

"Try," I said and paused. I thought about my mother's name until I realized that she would find out that I'm Vick Cross. What do I do? "I can't remember" I answered. "It's okay," Charlotte says "We'll find your family, I promise"

"Thank you," I said. I gaze at her smile. I wanted to smile with her too, but I just couldn't. What's stopping me from smiling? I just want to be happy. I just want to forget about the past.

"I'll be leaving now, thank you for your help, Charlotte," I say. "Wait, do you want my number?" She asks. "Sure" I answer, but I don't know where I can call her because I can't find any payphones around here. I was given a note instead.

Later, I walk down an alleyway and suddenly get nostalgic feelings. I look around the alley to realize I used to play here with my friends. My face turns into shock as I start sprinting down the alleyway. I turn to my left and sprint. Then, after a few turns, I finally reached it. I've reached my destination. I've reached my home, my neighborhood.

I looked around and nothing really changed. Every step I take brings me back to the old days when I was a kid. Memories fill my head as I begin to show a little bit of a smile. I stop in front of my house. There were two cars parked on the driveway and one car parked on the side of the street.

I walk up to the porch and push the doorbell. I hear dogs begin to bark and voices shouting "Be quiet, Max!"

A girl opens the door. It was silent. She looks about in her mid-twenties. "May I help you?" She asked. I examine her face even more to discover that she is my younger sister. Tears fall from my eyes again as I begin to cry "Amy"

"What?" She sounded confused. "Amy, I'm so glad you're okay!" I lean in for a hug, but she backs away. "Who are you!? Stay away from me!" She shouts. I look at her in shock "It's me, Vick!!"

She froze. Her eyes widened as if she'd seen a ghost or something. "What's wrong, mom?" A teenage girl appears from inside the house. "Vick, what are you doing here?" Amy asks "I thought you were in prison"

"I'm out, Amy. I'm out! I've missed you guys so much and I'm sorry I couldn't contact you guys!" I cried out. I walk into the house and try to lean in for another hug. She pushes me away

"Don't touch me, Vick!" She screamed. "What?" I asked. "Mom! Who is that!?" The girl rushes to Amy and grabs her arms. "It's Vick Cross. My psycho brother" she answered.

My body froze. I couldn't move. I couldn't breathe. My facial expression stayed the same. Does she see me as a serial killer? A criminal? A child abductor?? I've waited my whole life to see my family; to make sure they're okay, and they treat me like this??

An old woman walks down the halls with a cane. It's my mother "Mother... mother!!" I cried out "It's me, Vick!!"

"I know you," she said. She stops right in front of me and pushes Amy and her daughter behind her "Vick, I'm so sorry" my mother slowly backs away with the others "We cannot take you back after what you did"

I was there on my knees looking up at my own family as they backed away from me like I was a monster "What you did has caused too much pain" My mother began to cry "We've moved on, and we believe we should stay this way"

"But, Mom!" I immediately shout "It's me! Vick!!" I stood up "I didn't do it on purpose!! I did it to protect you guys!!"

I step closer and closer until she yells "Stop!! Vick!!"

I stop. "We're afraid of what you've become. We're afraid of you now, Vick" My mother said. I turn to my sister to find her shaking in fear with her daughter. My mother stood there with tears in her eyes "Leave and never come back... please" she said.

"But I was forced-"

"Enough," my mother says. They all stare at me, trembling in fear, as I stare back with the feeling of regret and betrayal. I slowly turned around as I exited the house. I walk further and further away from the house never looking back again. I stare at the sky and close my eyes.

TO BE CONTINUED....