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But I know it won’t. Not until I lay eyes on her again. Kirsten may only be a friend—a woman I see thirty minutes a day, five days a week—but my soul begs to differ. Deep in my bones, Kirsten has always felt like more than a friend.
I care about her more than I realized until minutes ago. And the way I left things yesterday, the way I treated her… Ineedto see her. Ineedto apologize. More than anything, Ineedto set things right.
Because if this had been her, I’d never forgive myself.
TEN
KIRSTEN
An ominous cloudswept in yesterday, blanketing Stone Bay in fear and curiosity.
Within an hour, news of the dead woman discovered at the south end of town spread from one gossipmonger to the next. Gasps filled the air as the story passed from one resident to another with too much ease. Scrutinous eyes scanned sidewalks and stores and every unfamiliar face.
On a normal day, I ignore the gossip mill. Shove aside the whispered rumors that spread faster than cancer and pollute the town. But this story isn’t your average small-town scandal.
A woman is dead. A fact, not a rumor.
And for the first time, I want every single detail. I want to know who we lost in our town. Her name, what she looks like, if she lived in Stone Bay or was passing through. How she died.
If we are safe.
Along with the circulated news, I’ve learned more than twenty years have passed since the last reported local murder. Delilah was in kindergarten when it happened. Though her parents didn’t share the details with her at the time, they talked about the girl for years, divulging more of the story each year.
Several years before Mom and I moved to Stone Bay, the quaint and quiet town brimmed with chaos when a sixteen-year-old girl was found dead on the playground. Her limbs outstretched on the climbing dome, her wrists and ankles tied to the coated metal bars, a switchblade in her chest. Hours before she was found, her parents had reported her missing to the police department.
After weeks of rigorous detective work, the killer was caught. A disgruntled young man passing through town. When asked why he did it, he said he had too much to drink and the girl reminded him of his ex-girlfriend.
Shortly after the case was solved, the town dismantled and removed the climbing dome from the park.
Not that one is better than the other, but the newest murder, from what I’ve heard, is considerably worse.
I turn off my ring light and tug my phone from the holder. Wanting some positivity in my day, I did a short live online and showed off the leggings, joggers, top, and hoodie from a fitness company. For a moment, reality slipped away and I got lost in the world of social media.
But as soon as I ended the live, all the joy I felt extinguished too.
Staring at the pile of fitness attire, it dawns on me I haven’t worked out in weeks. Would be nice to get in a run, but I may have to visit the gym and use the treadmill. Though I love running near the bay or on trails, with a killer on the loose, it’s best not to run solo or in secluded areas.
Tugging a hoodie over my head, I free my hair, opting to leave it down today. After one last look in the mirror, I pocket my phone, key fob, and wallet, exit my room, and step out the front door. I jog to my car, hop in, and crank the engine.
My phone connects with the car’s Bluetooth, music from my favorite playlist echoing through the cab as I text Skylar.
On my way
An immediate response vibrates my phone.
Sky
I’m driving with Do Not Disturb turned on. I’ll see your message when I reach my destination.
I smile down at the screen and type out another message.
Look at you being a good girl ?? See you soon
Depositing my phone in the cupholder, I buckle my seat belt and back out of the driveway.
As I make the short trek to the deli, a chill rolls down my spine at the eerie stillness of the neighborhood. On any given day, no matter the season, I wave to neighbors out for a walk. I spot people decorating their porch for an upcoming holiday or season. Reminisce as kids play on the lawn. See some form oflifeoutside.
Today… nothing. Not a single soul.
