Two Peas in a Pod

<p>From his concealed advantage point he patiently waited for the right moment to strike. He watched his prey like a hawk as she watered the Dogwood tree in her enclosed backyard garden.</p><p>When the right moment arrived he slithered under the canopy covered patio through the unlocked gate.</p><p>The Dogwood tree's beautiful snow-white flowers had placed her in a tranquil trance.</p><p>She stood watering the garden oblivious to his stealthy approach.</p><p>Suddenly a cold shiver shot down her spine. Her sixth sense sounded an alarm in her head to defend herself from an imminent attack from behind.</p><p>In a split-second her assailant had her in a deadly choke-hold.</p><p>She fought hard to free herself and tried to reach behind her to scratch his masked face. She realized she was no match for the brute's overpowering death-hold. With sheer terror in her eyes she couldn't scream through a blocked airway.</p><p>Her mother's shocked apparition appeared between the branches of the Dogwood tree they had planted together five years ago.</p><p>Mother! Was her daughter's last thought in the physical world as she tried desperately to grasp her mother's outstretched hand.</p><p>Daylight turned to darkness.</p><p>The crazed assassin exerted more pressure to her neck and it snapped like a dry twig.</p><p>The perspiring and exhausted executioner let go and her dead-weight collapsed to the ground.</p><p>While bent over trying to catch his breath the deranged maniac felt light-headed and temporarily lost his footing.</p><p>As the masked slayer grabbed a limb on the Dogwood tree the force of his weight broke the limb before he regained his balance.</p><p>Without looking back the killer quickened his stride to distance himself from the crime scene.</p>