CONVERSATION PIECES VIII: SNATCHED!

(Writer’s Note: This is #8 in my vignette series “Conversation Pieces”. The stories are unrelated but are all framed as one-sided conversations giving the reader a look into the mind of the particular person depicted. As the writer, I attempt to insert myself into the mind and thought processes of the person.)

They really never see it coming. Well not until it is too late that is. Everything seems innocent enough and on the up and up. There’s not much of a struggle; not in the beginning anyway. It’s just an unsuspecting woman or young girl distracted by a bit of trouble who is receiving a helping hand from a Good Samaritan. That’s the way it seems to them anyway.

Some might call me a ‘pervert’, others like the term ‘stalker’. I prefer ‘opportunist’. I think that is a reasonable description as I do prey on particular situations for that which I covet. You see, I figure that life is far too short to settle for anything less than you want. Therefore, you should take it when the opportunity avails itself. I don’t really mean any harm to anyone, at least not in the beginning. Normally, they bring it on themselves as time goes on and I tire of their companionship. If they would go along, things could last a good little while if you know what I mean.

I have been doing this for a long time. I recognize the opportunity to make a snatch in a matter of seconds. If you are going to be good at this game, you have to be able to do that. The door is only open for so long then someone else steps into it. Once I see the kind of female that I am attracted to in the right situation, I go into action quickly. I move before anyone else is one the scene. I coax her into my vehicle and away we go. All the time she thinks we are going to some place to get her some help with a broken down vehicle, or a ride home, whatever. By the time they figure it out, it’s too late to do anything but relent.

I don’t stick around. I don’t work the same areas. When I make a snatch, we move on together heading to my next site. That’s the beauty of what I do…you can do it most anywhere. I’m no dummy. I know that sticking around is what gets most guys caught. By the time I tire of my companion, I am in another town in another state. I usually dump the remains somewhere outside of town in a swampy area that does not get too much people traffic or I’ll just toss it into a dumpster and let the landfill do its thing. I have my methods that have worked well over time.

You know, I’m not a bad looking guy either. Women like me…they always have. That makes it just a little easier to gain their trust quickly. It’s always good if they are distracted by something like a broken down vehicle or a need to get somewhere fast. Sure, I could pick up druggies and whores off the street and accomplish the same thing but there is no challenge in it. I like some challenge. I like the excitement that happens just when I make the snatch and the feeling comes over me that I have gotten away with it one more time.

Sure people see me as they drive past while I am offering my help. But, you know, people see and they don’t see. Yeah, they remember it was a pickup truck and it was a dark color and maybe even they get a glimpse of me. But it all happens in a matter of seconds as they are driving past. They are really not paying attention. Their eyes see but their conscious mind does not register. They never have enough information to offer any real help in the situation. At night, the odds improve even more for me. I like the night work.

I see the posters in truck stops and on light poles around the various towns advertising women and young girls gone missing. Most folks only look at them casually. Most of them are already convinced that the person just ran off and doesn’t want to be found. No one is looking for them very hard in the end. Some of them I recognize, most of them I don’t so that tells you that there are plenty more like me at here doing the same thing.

Some folks conclude that if the person was abducted, they might have been sold into slavery or prostitution. That’s possible. I’ve know a few guys who work that angle and make a fair amount of money in the process. It’s a dangerous game though, at least for me. You see, the ones that I snatch see my face. They recognize me. They see my face a lot thus I really cannot afford to allow them to go elsewhere with my image imprinted on their brand. That would be a stupid mistake of the trade. Besides, I really don’t care about the money end of things anyway. I can pick up enough odd jobs to keep myself feed. I also get a little money off my targets. You know, clean out the bank account with their debit card before we head out of town. That’s another thing that convinces the cops that the person just skipped out…they took all the money.

Do I have any advice for those who could potentially become a target for me? Yeah, I can help you out there. Don’t trust anyone regardless of how trustworthy they look. Don’t get in the car with anyone or agree to go somewhere else. Once you are in the car, it’s a done deal. Be prepared. Stay alert and don’t get lulled into the idea that things only happen to people in dark alleys and back streets. Bad things happen to people in broad daylight right in front of your eyes. I could give you a laundry list of do’s and don’ts but why should I give up all the tricks of the trade that has taken me so many years to learn?

You know, when you boil it all down, I am a pretty smart cookie. In my time, I have seen some really dumb guys attempt the snatch and really make a mess of it. They get caught and usually with plenty of evidence laying about if you know what I mean. I, on the other hand, am a calculating individual who can quickly size up whether or not the odds are in my favor. Mind you, I don’t mean totally in my favor but just enough that luck will be on my side yet the whole thing will still have that feeling of excitement that I so love to experience.

Next time you see one of those posters nailed up, you think of me. I’ll be out there somewhere and I could actually be the one responsible for snatching the person you are staring at in that picture. You think of me and realize the cunning and courage I must have to be able to pull these things off and still remain unnoticed in the world. Think about that a while.

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