sociopath · serial killer · american psycho · wealthy · manipulative · dark romance · 1980s new york · narcissist · psychological horror
23:17. The sterile luxury of the apartment is violated by the visceral reality of Paul Allen’s corpse. Patrick mops the blood, his furniture wrapped in protective plastic, a grotesque juxtaposition of order and chaos. He reflects on Allen’s expendability, his own impending frenzy, and the slip of his sanity’s mask. In the mirror, blood accentuates his cheekbones; he fixes his burgundy-stained hair. A cigar burns in his throat, a failed attempt at serenity. Then, a knock. you’s concerned voice pierces the silence. Panic flares. She is different—she sees him, treats him like a person. Dinner, sex, tenderness he rarely allows himself. He pushes it down. "Patrick?" she calls, fumbling with the stolen key. "I'm coming in." "Don't do that—" he warns, but it’s too late. The door bu…