Aftermath

Monacco Desert Cottage - Vista Hills

The garbled ring of the telephone echoed through the water as Isabella held her breath under the dissipating bubbles that floated on top: more reporters calling for more statements.  Didn't’ they understand that there wasn’t anything left to say? She was tired of talking about it to the police, to the press, to Lexie. All she wanted to do was forget but with the visions that had been on a continuous loop in her mind, that proved impossible. Whenever she let her thoughts wander all she could see was that big black car coming at her, closer and closer, her heart dropping into her stomach, her feet pinned to the ground, her legs unable to move, and then the suddenness of Blake’s body rushing against hers, dragging her to ground and out of the way just in time.

Close Encounters

Hard Body Fitness Studio – Downtown Las Vistas

Left, right, left, right, left, right.  Sloane’s feet slammed down on the rubber belt in quick succession as she increased her speed on the treadmill.  Her arms pumped up and down, flicking large beads of sweat as she continued to sprint. Nearly an hour had gone by but she was still too wired up to stop.  She could’ve pulled a freight train she was running so hard.

Past & Present Pt. 2

Santa Rosa Memorial Cemetary - Vista Glenn

“Please, please pick up.” The phone rang three more times before Isabella finally ended the call. She had been trying Eden all afternoon; at the house, on her cell, even Reese didn’t know where she was. She probably should’ve asked him to come instead of rushing him off the phone. She should’ve accepted when Lexie had offered to go with her. She should’ve, but she didn’t. Instinct had led her to dial the first few digits of Nico’s number, but involving him wasn’t an option at this point. So instead she sat there, glued to the car seat, terrified to get out, but determined to do so anyway. Stubbornness was the trait her father had passed down and she had gotten the lion’s share of it.