The Name Tag Page #2

I wrote story because I love watching murder mysteries. I find it intriguing and worrisome that most murders aren't solved.

• Short story

								

Michelle sat clutching her phone, making it a point to keep her head down. Twelve down, one more stop. Michelle stood as the bus came to a halt. She quickly tapped her card and stepped off the bus. The driver held his head straight. He didn’t even wait for her to cross the road. He closed the door and pressed the gas. The pebbles and exhaust fumes from the bus pelted her face. Michelle rubbed her eyes to get the dirt from her eyes. She could hear the bus’ engine disappear as it turned right and chugged down the street. She took a deep breath; a wave of relief washed over her as she waited for the traffic lights to change so she could cross the street and head home. 
***
“Operations, how can I help you?” The dispatcher greeted.
Ray coughed. “I am not feeling well. I am going to have to take a sick day from work.”
“Oh, I am sorry to hear that. You sound awful.”
Ray chuckled a bit as he coughed.
“Alright. I have put you in the system. Please call us back the day before you would like to book back on so we can assign you your work. The deadline is noon. Okay?”
“Thanks. I will.”
“Alright, feel better soon. Bye now.”
“Bye.” 
Ray stared at his computer screen. He had keyed in ‘Michelle + Horizon Airlines + Billy Bishop Airport’ into his Google search bar. He saw Michelle Morris’ LinkedIn profile pop up to the top. Her professional picture highlighted her perfect smile. “Michelle Morris, what a lovely name,” he muttered as he clicked through her social media profiles. 
***
“Ugh!” she thought as the bus doors opened. “Just keep your head ...” Her mantra was interrupted when she heard a female voice begin to greet the passengers as they boarded. A sigh of relief enveloped her. As she tapped her MTB card, Michelle smiled at her bus driver as she greeted her. Michelle sat in her seat, and for the first time in weeks, there was no need to continuously bury her head in her phone. She got lost in thought as she stared out the bus windshield, eager to thank Jeffery for encouraging her to advocate for herself.  
*ding-ding* The bell chimed as Michelle pushed the golden door knob. Jefferey greeted her while he added eggnog foam to a latte. “Welcome to J’s Ice Cream and Coffee Shop. Oh hey, I will be right with you.” He handed the latte to a customer in a dark blue sweater and a black toque. Michelle had never seen a customer in the store at this time but was happy for Jeffery because he had recently added coffee to the store to adapt to the cold weather. 
“How are you?” Jeffery inquired.
“I did what you suggested and filed a complaint.”
“And?”
“Today was the first time I didn’t have my usual Wednesday anxiety. Honestly, it feels weird. I didn’t realize how much that guy creeped me out.”
“That is so good to hear. I was worried.”
“Well, I came here to thank you and ask if I can repay your kindness by buying you a drink sometime.”
Jeffery’s tan cheeks turned red. “Yes, I would like that. Let me give you 
my number so we can coordinate this repayment.” Jeffery smiled.
‘Creeped Me Out’, Michelle’s words echoed in Ray’s ears as he sipped his cinnamon latte with eggnog whipped cream. He stared out the window of J’s Ice Cream and Coffee Shop, his jaw clenched as he listened to Michelle exchange numbers with the shop owner. He didn’t understand why she did not like him. Perhaps she was like everyone who looked down on hard-working labourers. ‘Who does she think she is?’ He watched as Michelle backed away from the owner, looking like a giddy schoolgirl. “I will text you with the details later tonight.” She said, blushing. “I can’t wait.” The owner responded, holding his gaze with hers. The exchange disgusted Ray. He was sick and tired of these females thinking they were better than him. He was a catch. He deserved love, and he would not stand by any longer while these women ignored him.
Michelle exited the store. The cold autumn air smelled incredibly sweet to her. She took a deep breath and began her walk home. She clutched her phone in her hand, debating what she should text Jeffery when she got home. The sky had been overcast all day and quickly darkened its shades of grey. Michelle had watched too many murder mystery documentaries and felt uneasy when night fell. She increased her stride, trying to get to her apartment building before the darkness overshadowed everything within her periphery. The light above her apartment entrance was up ahead. She grabbed her fob, flung the doors open and ran through the doors. All that was left were the three flights of stairs to her apartment’s door. She was excited to finally free herself from the god-awful uniform, bathe and enjoy her show. She could feel her 30-year-old knees creak with every step. Ugh! she huffed as she reached the landing. She pulled out her keys and inserted them into the door’s lock. “Hi, Michelle!” Her blood ran cold; she knew that bus driver’s creepy voice anywhere. 
Ray saw Michelle’s wide eyes as she turned to face him. Her breathing was shallow. 
“How... how... how?” Michelle muttered between breaths. Her brain would not let the rest of the sentence escape.
“Your name tag,” Ray said as he placed his right hand with its signature blue gloves on her mouth to muffle her inevitable scream. His left hand quickly turned the doorknob to open her front door. He used his body’s weight to force her inside. 
“All you women are the same.” He used his foot to close the door before pushing her deeper into the apartment.
“Creepy, huh. I am creepy. All you had to do was treat me like a human being.” Michelle opened her mouth wide and bit down. “AAAHhhhhhh you, bitch!” Ray screamed as he pulled his hand away from her teeth. Michelle, phone in hand, sprinted towards her window. Trying desperately to reach the fire escape. Ray pulled her back and placed his hand over her mouth.
“I will show you, creep!” Ray dragged Michelle, kicking into her bedroom.
Michelle tried to scream, but her body didn’t know how. She felt paralyzed, stuck in limbo between the reality that this was happening and the disbelief that this could be happening. Michelle lay there on her bed with this bus driver’s hand over her mouth. She could feel him hike up her skirt. She desperately tried to pull it back down. The bus driver screamed something and punched her in the face. Nothing seemed real. Her five foot two, one-hundred-and-twenty-pound frame was no match for him. She stared at the ceiling. He pulled her skirt up and ripped her panties. She could hear his belt buckle. She closed her eyes. She kept reassuring herself that this would be over in a matter of seconds, but it felt like hours. The bus driver’s grip tightened with every thrust. Her eyes sprang open. She clawed at his hands as they continued to tighten around her throat. With every gasp of air she tried to make, she prayed he would just finish. Soon, her peripheral vision started to blur and become dark. All she could see was his contorted face on top of her. Then, just his creepy smile. Then it all went black.

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