Sweet Dreams (Rough draft)

Sweet Dreams

He lay there listing to his heartbeat as it pumped the blood of lust. He closed his eyes and began to dream romantic fantasies as he used his hands to ease is loneliness. Right when his motivation for his own warm touch had almost completely drained, the phone rang. He forcefully answered the phone and gave a dreary hello.

“Simon,” Penelope said sounding desperate.

“Yeah,” Simon said sounding a mix between aggravated and delightful as if he had trouble picking the right emotion.

“I need some one to talk to, can I come over?”

“Sure,”

“Thanks baby I’ll be over in ten,” Penelope said before she quickly hung up the phone. It was three o’clock in the morning, she sounded desperate and she called him “baby”, to Simon that only meant one thing. He began to relax and wait for Penelope’s arrival.

The doorbell rang; Simon seductively rose out of bed and answered the door. Penelope stood staring at Simon as she slowly licked her red lips. “It’s about time you got here gorgeous,” Simon said with a devious grin. Penelope smiled and let her self into his candle lit apartment.

“I hope I didn’t make you wait too long,” She said as she took off the long trench coat that reviled a deep red Lingerie which complimented her curves. Simon placed his hands on her waist and pulled her body closer to his and the two shared a passionate kiss.

Simon was awakened by the sound of the doorbell. He shot out of bed breathing heavily, and looked at his alarm clock in disbelief. It was three twenty in the morning and once again his dreams had been interrupted. The sound of the doorbell was replaced with the sound of a loud knock. “ Simon," Penelope called through the door.

“Relax I’m coming,” Simon replied forcing himself out of bed. When Simon opened his apartment door he expected to see the beautiful cherry red lipped, bedroom eyed, lingerie-wearing Penelope from his dreams. Instead a more conservative and distraught Penelope, but still equally as beautiful, greeted him. As soon as the door was wide enough Penelope leaped into Simon's arms and held him tightly as she cried heavily. Simon didn’t hesitate to try and comfort her. He held her even tighter. “What’s the matter?” Simon said softly.

“ I just can’t take it anymore Simon, I can’t live this way it’s too hard,”

“Live what way? Nell you’re not making any sense,”

Penelope backed away from Simon and sat on his sofa, berried her head into her hands and cried even harder. Simon sat next to Penelope and put his arms around her.

“ I’m lost, I don’t know what to do. No one will help me; you’re the only one who ever listened,” Penelope said through her hands.

“Nell, sweet heart I really want to help you but I just don’t understand what the Prob-”

“Tell me I’m beautiful, we’ve dated for four years and you have never told me I was beautiful,” Penelope said calmly cutting Simon off.

Simon pushed Penelope’s hair out of her face and looked her in her bright hazel eyes and said, “You’re beautiful”. Penelope smiled and looked down at Simon’s pure white carpet. Simon leaned into Penelope and kissed her. Penelope quickly pulled away and slapped Simon in his face.

“ Go to hell Simon,” she said as she stormed out of the apartment.

“Penelope, wait!” Simon called but before he could even finish speaking he heard the sound of the elevator door closing and lost hope in catching up to Penelope for the rest of the night. Simon sighed and made his way back to bed so he could finish dreaming.

Simon found himself in the deepest sleep he had ever felt. No dreams, no loneliness or late night phone calls, just comfortable darkness. Simon’s sudden state of complete relaxation had come to an end when he was once again awaked by the sound of his telephone ringing. He was sure it was Penelope calling him to apologize for her foolishness earlier that morning because, as always, Simon did nothing wrong. “Hi Penelope.” Simon said into the receiver in an I told you so voice.

“No, its Bruce,”

“Bruce?”

“Yeah, Simon I have bad news.,” Bruce said solemnly.

“Bad news,” Simon thought. That was the last thing Simon wanted to hear, he hated bad news. Simon was no stranger to depression; he never handled bad news well. Simon became silent trying not to pressure the information out of Bruce.

“It’s about Penelope,” Bruce continued. At that moment Simon knew exactly what Bruce was going to say, Penelope was dead. But how did she die? Did she get into a car accident? Was she mugged last night? Millions of thoughts ran through Simon’s brain but he still kept silent waiting for his brother to speak. “She slit her wrist, Jen found her this morning.” Bruce said sounding as if he was about to cry.

Simon remained silent he was to hurt to speak, move, or even think. “Simon, I’m really sorry. I’m going to go see her family, do you want me to pick you up?” Bruce said trying to get his brother to speak. Simon remained silent for a moment still processing the words that had just came out of his Bruce’s mouth, then Simon finally swallowed his spit and gathered enough strength to speak.

“Sure,” He said desperately trying to hold back tears.

“Okay, I’ll be over in about twenty minutes,"

Bruce was a handsome man he had eyes as blue as the Atlantic Ocean and hair as black the country night sky. His personality was best described as charming, which, with his knowledge helped him get ahead in life. To all women Bruce was irresistible, that might be why Penelope came under Bruce’s spell on numerous occasions throughout her relationship with Simon. Simon was only aware of one occasion and foolishly took Penelope back after he had found out what she had done. Maybe that’s why Simon wasn’t much of a fan of his older brother or maybe it was his PhD in psychology or his I’m better then everyone else philosophy on life, He couldn’t even go to Wal-Mart without wearing a suit and tie, that is if he ever even stooped so low as to shop there.

“ Are you ready to go?”

“ I guess,” Simon murmured before he followed his brother out of the apartment.

“ Look Simon, I don’t want you to have another episode. I'm here if you need someone to talk to,” Bruce said. Simon remained silent. “If you don’t feel comfortable talking to me, I can send you to a friend of mine,"

“ Bruce why don't you do me a favor and spare me the shrink bullshit for one day,” Simon snapped. Bruce obeyed his brother's wishes and left Simon to his thoughts as dangerous as that was.

By the time the brothers reached Penelope's suddenly former home Simon's extreme depression had already kicked in and Simon knew seeing Penelope's family was just going to make it worst. He sat inside the car for about twenty minutes staring at the house and hyperventilating "Simon, if you want me to take you back home I can." Bruce said as he rubbed his brothers back trying to comfort his him. Simon ignored Bruce continuing his nervous breakdown, and then with one deep and controlled breath Simon became calm.

"I'm ready, take me inside." Simon said finally before he and Bruce made there way inside of the house. The house was eerily dark and all the mirrors where covered. "Is any body here?" Bruce shouted into the seemly empty home. A teary-eyed young woman appeared out of the darkness. "

Jen sweetie, I'm so sorry." Bruce said as he embraced Jen. Simon remained silent with his head tilted to the ground trying desperately not to make eye contact with Jen. " How you holding up baby girl?" Bruce asked.

"Hanging in there." Jen replied solemnly before she noticed Simon trying to avoid eye contact with her. "How have you been holding up Simon?" Jen asked. Simon looked up at Jen and Bruce for a moment.

"Why did you call Bruce?"

“What?” Jen Answered sounding puzzled.

“You called Bruce and told him about Penelope, why didn't you call me?”

“ Simon, I think that should be the least of our worries. The fact of the matter is Penelope is gone, and there is nothing we can do about it.” Bruce responded quickly. Jen walked into the dark living room and sat on the coach.

“ There's nothing we can do about it.” She repeated.

“I'm sorry Jen, I didn't mean to be negative.”

“What else can you be? My sister is dead, and there is not a positive you can say about it, poor Penelope, poor me, poor baby.”

“ Baby, as in child? ” Simon asked sounding baffled.

“ Simon Penelope is, I mean was, pregnant, she had to have told you.”

“She didn't,” he said as he sat next to Jen.

“Ashes to ashes, dust to dust.” The priest said as Penelope's casket was lowered into the ground. The air was thick with gloom and the sounds of sobbing. Simon's heart was heavy but his eyes where without tears. He wouldn't allow himself to cry for someone who had committed such a selfish act, he couldn't cry for a murder. The closing hymn was sung and the family and friends of the dearly departed had begun to disperse. Simon stood staring at Penelope's grave. His blood boiled with the heat of anger, his body was tight and uneasy as if he was ready to brawl, his eyes where dilated and his hearing was gone. Everything and everyone seemed to have moved in slow motion. It was happening again, Simon was losing his mind. Bruce tapped Simon in order to get his attention but he was greeted by a high-powered punch, causing his nose to bleed and his body to fall to the damp grass.

“Simon, What the hell is wrong with you!” He yelled holding on to his nose.

“ Have you lost your mind?!” Jen cried as she rushed to Bruce's aid.

“I'm Sorry. I don't know what came over me.” Simon said sounding genuinely innocent. Bruce ignored his brother’s apology and walked to the car with Jen helping to stop the bleeding.

Home was no longer a place that Simon wanted to be. In every corner there where memories and in every memory there was pain. Everything Simon should have done but didn't do, every time he had cursed at her, every time he had left her alone with sadness, every time he wasn't the one who just listened. Sleep, Simon thought, would be his redemption from the pain that plagued his heart since his love had passed away. But when is his eyes shut and he drifted into the half way point of death he saw her beautiful face, pure and painless. She winked and gave him a smile. “ Smile baby you look pity-full.” She said to a blank face Simon. “ You never where much for words, you let you body do all the talking.” She said with a devious giggle. “ That's what I loved about you”. Penelope tried to seal her words with a passionate kiss.

“You're dead.” Simon whispered as he slowly backed away. His eyes where conquered with fear and his face was deprived of emotion.

“Oh Simon stop acting like such a little bitch.” Penelope said tauntingly. With those words Simon knew the woman he was seeing was real. Even in death she remained everything he loved in a women. She was beautiful, classless and insecure. “You act like you don't miss me.”

“ I do miss you Penelope, but I'm angry with you more then anything.”

“Angry, why are you angry I'm the one who's dead. I swear all you ever think about is yourself.”

“This coming from the women who committed suicide! Calling me selfish is a tad bit hypocritical on your part.”

“Suicide, Did you just say I committed suicide?! You let them brain wash you, your letting them get away with murder! Do me a favor Simon and for once in your goddamn life use the puny little thing in your head you call a brain! Why would I kill myself Simon? ”

“ For the same reason you didn't tell me you where pregnant.” Simon said through the sound of his grinding teeth. Penelope looked at Simon for a moment the engaged in uncontrollable laughter.

“ Pregnant! They told you I was pregnant! And you fell for it, God Simon your such a douche bag.” Penelope continued hysterically laughing. Simon wanted to defend his manhood but Penelope's bantering had frozen his words. He stood staring at her as she began to gasp for air. “Aww I'm sorry baby, but you can be so damn simple sometimes.”

" I don't understand why thats so funny, people do get pregnant penelope." He said sounding irritated.

"If I was pregnant you would be the first to know."

"You weren't the most fateful girlfriend, I have my doubts."

"Fine, I'm pregnant and it's Bruce's, is that what you wanted to hear? Do you still have your doubts? " Penelope snapped. Her eyes where red and her voice cracked the way it did the last time Simon saw her. Penelope always had a way of making Simon feel guilty, it was one of the reason's why he could never leave her. No matter what the conflict may have been, It was always Simon's Fault and therefor his responsibilty to fix it.

"what do you want Penelope?" he asked softly, careful not to meet her eyes again. " I want you to make it better. I want you to make them pay."

“What are you talking about?”

“They Killed me Simon, they killed apart of you too.” Simon still tried not to meet penelope's eyes even though she was so close to him that he could feel the heat of her breath. With it's heat spark memories. Memories of love making first thing in the morning, memories of her taunting laughter and the smoothness of her voice. Then he looked at her wrist, the thick scar sparked another memory that was sure to haunt him for the rest of his life. He remembered that Penelope was dead and he wanted to bring her back, he wanted to fix it, he wanted to make it better.

“Who killed you?” Simon asked lightly. It almost sounded as if he was whispering

“Who's they?”

“ Bruce and Jen.” Penelope said through her teeth “ I knew they were going to do it.”

“Your lieing. the coroner confirmed your death a suicide, you slit your wrist.”

“They Poised me Simon. As soon as they where sure I was dead, they cut me open and watched me bleed.”

“That's ridicules the coroner would have found the poison, you killed yourself Penelope.”

“Then why did Bruce call Jen?”

“what?”

“Why did Bruce call Jen?” Penelope said again slowly carefully slowing down her words so that she was sure that he would here and understand what she said.

“He's screwing her.”

“ He is not Screwing my sister, they screwed me And know one will will ever know about it because Bruce has his hands on every corner of this city. He can get away with anything. But you wont let him, Right Baby?”

“Right.”

The next morning when Simon woke in his bed he was sure he hadn't been sleep at all. Penelope was there, he could still smell her perfume which meant she hadn't been gone for long. Besides her scent, her words were left behind. Words that haunted him more then her ghost. Words that left him to make a decision. Was Penelope really there? Was she really murdered? Simon Picked up his phone to make a call when it suddenly rang in his hands. “Hello” he answered sounding tired, angry, and devious.

“Hey” Bruce's voice blare on the other end “ I thought maybe you needed to get out of the house, you kind of lost it yesterday.”

“Yea I lost it, I'm still losing it. I think getting out of the house is a good idea.”

“I'll be over in a bit, be ready.” Bruce said. Simon hung up the phone without saying goodbye. He didn't bother getting dressed because he didn't plan on really going any place. He just sat and waited for the door bell to ring.

Bruce entered Simon's apartment clueless to what would come next. “Why aren't you dressed.” He asked sounding annoyed “ I told you to be ready.” Simon walked up to his brother looked him into his eyes and grabbed his neck with all his strength, A strength that brought Bruce to his knees fighting for air, unable to release himself from his brother's tight grip. He tried to fight but Simon was unphased, he tried to scream but searching for air used all his strength, he tried to speak but died before the words could escape his tongue

The most terrible way to murder someone is to strangle them with your own bare hands. Looking them into their eyes, the same eyes that beg you to spare their life but you refuse. It takes hate in it's purest form to allow oneself to strangle someone completely without letting lose before their victims last breath. Simon dragged his brother's lifeless body to his bedroom and laid him carelessly on the floor. One down one more to go. Simon picked up his phone and dilled Jen's phone number and greeted her in a panicked fashion, he begging her to help him. He told her he couldn't find Bruce.

“Simon, open the door I'm here!” Jen called through the door before Simon let her in. “Are you sure he's not here I saw his car down stairs.”

“He's here.”

“What? Why did you call me then, I was worried sick.”

“He's in my room, he wants to speak to you.” Penelope gave Simon a suspicious look then walked to his room calling Bruce's name. Simon grabbed a bat out of his coat closet and waited for her to return to where they where before. Before long She came running back into the living room to find Simon waiting for her.

“What did you do to him? Answer me!”

“ I killed him.”

“No shit! I'm Calling the police.” Jen took out her cell phone but Simon put his bat to use before Jen could finish dilling the number. She fell to the ground, Simon kicked her to make sure she was conscientious. He picked up the bat and continued to hit her until his carpet was stained with a pool of blood and her face was almost unrecognizable. He felt to she if she had a pulse and found none. Simon sat down next to Jen's body and began to cry hysterically realizing what he had done. He not only taken one life but two. It was too late for CPR and to risky to call the police. Two down one more to go. Simon went into his closet and and found a rope. He tied one end to the railing of his terrace and the other tightly to his neck. He jump allowing his neck to snap and his body to hang for the city to see.