A Thousand Lives

Chapter 4: A Few Deaths

Adola sat on the front step of the manor, holding the invitation for the party. It was stupid. She didn't even like parties and she had to wear a dress? Although it was common to see Adola at social gatherings in simple dresses, she hated them. They were long and weird and the waists were so small.

'Hey Adola,' Ben sat down next to her, taking off his gardening gloves. 'Elton's making you go isn't he?'

'It's not Elton,' Adola put her chin on her hand again, she had a habit of doing that. 'I can't exactly not go to a party I've been invited to when my parents are - were Exie's.'

Ben looked at her sympathetically.

'Sorry,' she said uncomfortably. 'Sometimes I forget they're really...'

'It's fine,' he said. 'You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to.'

'Thanks.' Then she looked around at the front garden where birds were tweeting in the trees and squirrels were scampering in the grass.

'Wow,' Adola commented. 'Good job,'

'Thanks,' he said. 'Oh and by the way, when are you leaving for camp?'

'Next week, the day after this party.' Adola shrugged.

'Miss!'

Adola looked to see Marrian running towards her, stumbling over her maid's dress.

Suddenly, she tripped and dropped whatever she was carrying and Adola caught the rolled up piece of paper.

'Are you ok?' she helped Marrian up, dusting off the skirt to her dress.

'I'm fine, thank you,' she replied and fixed her hair. 'You should read that.' she pointed at the newspaper Adola had caught.

'Why?'

'What's up?' Ben looked over her shoulder as she read the front page.

'Four deaths, all women found in the abandoned warehouse?!' Adola exclaimed. 'What the heck?!'

'Adola!' Brian called from the front door. 'You might wanna see this!'

Adola and the other two staff members ran up to the chef and burst into the living room where Elton was standing with his arms crossed, facing the TV.

The news was on with a woman standing in front of a warehouse with police tape behind her.

'I am standing in front of a very disturbing scene. This morning, four women were raped then killed on the spot in a very gruesome way. Police are still investigating and won't give us much detail, but a warning to all those people in this city, be careful.'

Elton switched the channels to multiple different countries, all with similar stories.

Women were being found dead after being raped and girls were disappearing, never to be seen again.