LOGINImagine you are given two choices. Choice #1 gives you a stable life with little to no uncertainties. You can have a comfortable existence but you may never experience the thrill of falling in love or the satisfaction of taking that leap into the unknown. Choice #2 gives you all the thrills and all the satisfaction but you also have the possibility of heartbreak and failures along the way. Which would you choose? For Aurora Butler, this is the exact crossroads she has come to as she starts her Senior Year at a new school. Her head is telling her one thing but after meeting Owen Marshall, her heart is telling her something entirely different. Choices are made even more difficult as responsibilities take a toll on her and she realizes some choices requires sacrifices she just isn't able to make. Just when she thinks she has it all figured out, bodies of young women who look eerily similar to her start showing up as the town realizes there is a serial killer walking among them, one who has particular tastes when it comes to his next victim. Will Aurora's instincts lead to the right choices or will her choices have deadly consequences? Can she survive to have it all or will she lose everything in the end?
View MoreSix Months Later“We the jury find the defendant, Phillip Clark, guilty on all charges.”I breathed a sigh of relief as the jury foreman read the verdict. The state of Tennessee was seeking the death penalty so Phil’s reign of terror was really over. The moment felt bittersweet, at best. Here was someone I thought I knew, someone that I knew could be and was at one point, a good person. Was the monster within always hiding just below the surface or was the reality of losing me and his mother finally his breaking point and he just snapped? I guess we will never really know.As Phil stands up and is placed back in handcuffs, he looks up and locks eyes with me and there it is. Just for a brief moment, I see the old Phil. The look of regret and defeat on his face almost makes me feel guilty for being the one person the most responsible for putting him away today. I say almost because within seconds, that old Phil is gone as his eyes turn cold and I feel as if they are staring into my soul.
Three Weeks LaterAurora’s POVI sat outside the courtroom on one of those hard, wooden benches with Owen by my side. CiCi was pacing quietly in front of us, giving me last minute instructions. Today, I was testifying before the Grand Jury to indict Phil on multiple counts of murder as well as the crimes involving my abduction. I was nervous but determined.With the information Phil had given me during his narration of his crimes, the authorities were able to not only recover Wendy’s body but also add that murder to his long list of charges. Phil had the audacity during his interview to try to say that I was his accomplice, a new low even for him.I was nervous because once I was called into that room, I was alone again. CiCi and Owen could not be with me. I was also nervous that by some glitch in the system, he would be allowed to walk free but the thoughts of that gave me the determination I needed to make sure that didn’t happen.The prosecutor was good, very good according to CiCi.
Unknown POVOwning a storage complex like Wood Haven Storage didn’t require a lot of work. It was what most would term 'easy money'. I opened the gates every morning at six and closed and locked them again at nine at night. My business held four massive buildings, each containing thirty-six units. Rental tenants came and went as they pleased and I didn’t typically interact with them after that first time they signed their rental contracts unless there was a problem.All of my units were climate controlled and well maintained, the best in the county I would say. The grounds were kept clean and fully paved. Security cameras were in place to not only monitor activity but to give my tenants piece of mind and deter any criminals from messing with the area. Keys were issued for all units and I kept a master set but rarely would I ever need to use them.Yeah, twice a year, I would have my auctioneer buddy auction off units that hadn’t been paid and that always gathered a crowd. That was thank
Owen’s POV continuedIt only took a couple of minutes to hear the distinctive clack of my mother’s high heels coming down the aisle between the desks and cubicles. Every step was calm, collected but with a sense of purpose and importance. Even her light but firm knock on the door exuded confidence. I called out to her to come in since neither Detective Clements nor Chief Harding were back.She entered and quickly closed the door behind her. She glided over as I stood and she pulled me into a tight embrace. She pulled back, still holding onto my arms as she looked up at me, making sure to lock eyes.“She will be found, Owen. She will be okay. Aurora is tough and strong.”“I know. They might actually have a lead. That’s why Detective Clements stepped out.”I quickly updated her about everything, including things I hadn’t told her before. That included Phil’s romantic interest in Gracie and everything we had been through with him so far. She listened but I could tell it angered her to fin
As I walked down the hill, away from the school, I realized two things. One, it felt great being out in the cool, fall morning air. It was both refreshing and rejuvenating, especially considering my mood and everything I was feeling. But, more importantly, I realized the obvious second thing. That I
Every insecurity I had ever known since meeting Owen came rushing back as the rush of blood drowned out everything except my heart beating loudly in my ears. I watched as Mr. Hanson’s mouth moved and in the recesses of my mind, I could hear the echo of his big, booming voice but couldn’t comprehend
The news Chief Harding and Detective Clements brought to our doorstep had me in a funk all day Sunday. One that I just couldn’t shake. I went through the motions and did actually enjoy our time with Nonna but it was always there, right in the back of my mind that there had been yet another body foun
I stared at Chief Harding like he had just grown a second head. My heart was pounding so hard, I could hear it in my ears, blocking out most other sounds. Another body? Victim number five? But not around here. What did that mean?I voiced the question aloud. Chief Harding looked back at Detective Cl
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