All Tyla Hemmings wanted to do, was to finish high school, go to college and perhaps get married to her best friend, and boyfriend, Colton Adams. But all of that changes when she unexpectedly meets a handsome stranger one afternoon, and a serial go...
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The next morning comes sooner than I anticipated. I wake from my deep slumber, feeling even more drained than the day before. Sitting up in bed, I rub my eyes, trying to get them to stop burning. I feel a throbbing head ache at the back of my head, leading down to my shoulders. It's so quiet. It's never been this quiet in this apartment in all the time Colton has lived here. He's an early bird, always has been and he's definitely not quiet when he's awake either. Something doesn't feel right. My gut warns me as I carefully slip from his bedroom.
I walk out slowly, scanning around every corner, paranoid that the figure followed me here and is waiting for me. Waiting for the perfect moment to get to me. As I walk past the lounge, my right eye catches something in its peripheral vision. I turn my head to the right, seeing Colton still on the couch. That's weird. I think again, walking closer to the couch, my eyes still scanning around me for any movement. When my eyes land on Colton, my voice comes out in a shrill of pure horror.
My hands get clammy, my heart racing a million beats per minute. This cannot be happening. This is surely a horrible, horrible nightmare. I try to convince myself that I'm asleep and that I need to wake up but when the realisation dawns that this is reality, I fall down on my knees sobbing.
My eyes remain glued to Colton's cold, pale, lifeless body, even as the tears stream down my face. He was here. I know it was the phantom killer because every single injury my eyes land on is consistent with the ones on the female victims. Whoever this is, is clearly out to get into my mind. He wants to throw me off my game. My hands shake as I reach for my phone, calling Colton's father. This isn't about killing helpless girls anymore. He is straight up after me now. But why? What have I done? Why not kill me instead? Why hurt everyone I love?
"Sssir." My voice trembles. "What is it? What's wrong?" He answers, sensing the fear in my voice.
"I... It's Colton... I need you to come to his apartment. Right now." I try to explain, wanting nothing but to break the news in person rather.
"Is he alright?" I hear him hold his breath, waiting anxiously for me to answer.
"Nn... no sir..." I cry into the phone, stuttering. I feel the phone slip from my grasp, letting it fall to the ground. I'm aware that I can't touch Colton, in fear of contaminating the evidence so instead, I remain on the carpet next to his corpse, crying as I wait for the police to come. When they do arrive, I'm stuck in a haze of pain. My heart, feeling like it's in complete agony. It feels like the air is squeezed out of my lungs as they start dragging me away from his body, watching his father crumble to nothing but tears and angry shouts of disbelief.
I hear Colton's father scream that his son isn't dead. That it's just a mistake. That he should be rushed to the hospital and that they can still save him, but we all know the truth. It's too late. One of the detectives, drapes an arm over my shoulder, leading me to the police van. I know they'll be grilling me for answers, answers I know I won't be able to give because I don't know them myself.
