Echoing Dreams

Half the Story Unfolds.

With evidence supporting Zack's involvement in the murders, he was promptly arrested. The question that haunted everyone's minds was whether one of the suspects had been framed or if both were truly guilty. Emily clung to the hope that her father was innocent, praying for some new evidence to surface that would reveal it was all a mistake. Her relationship with her dad was strained, but she still needed him in her life, still wanted him in her life, and the thought of him being a murderer was utterly heart-wrenching.

As for Zack, the motive behind the murders remained a baffling mystery. Why would he kill all those people? What drove him to murder Lidia, especially when they had seemed to get along, even working together to humiliate Emily on the night of the party? The answers to these questions seemed elusive, and Emily was left grappling with a web of confusion and sorrow.

"Em, I know you don't wanna hear this... but if one of them is framed... it's most likely Zack," Jake cautiously ventured, fully aware that his words could sting.

Emily's irritation flared, and she retorted sharply, "Yes, and you don't know my father. Zack is more the type of person to commit such a crime! Jake, I'm disappointed you aren't on the same page as me with this!" The mess of the situation weighed heavily on her, and Jake's perspective felt like a betrayal.

Jake, attempting to protect Emily from clinging to false hope, pushed forward despite sensing the rising tension. "I'm sorry, Em... but I just don't want you to hold on to false hope," he explained, realizing that his words were making Emily's blood boil. He believed he was looking out for her best interests.

As their disagreement escalated, Emily decided it was time for a break. "Jake... I think I need some space. I'm sorry, but I can't. I'll talk to you later," she said, leading Jake out of her house. They parted ways, leaving them both feeling isolated and alone for the first time since they had had met one another.

The detective's office.

Detective George Davis had been tirelessly working on the Crestwood murder case for months, but no evidence had surfaced until two teenagers stumbled upon a diary that changed everything. Seated in a dim and gloomy interrogation room, Detective Davis faced Zack Deon, his gaze stern and unwavering.

"Mr. Deon, what can you tell me about the diary that was found at your grandfather's estate? Did you murder your grandfather like you did all those other people?" Detective Davis questioned, his tone unyielding.

"I'm not talking until I have a lawyer," Zack replied calmly, reclining in his chair, showing little signs of nervousness.

"You'll get your lawyer, but frankly, it's not looking good for you, kid. You better start talking now," the detective pressed on, his gaze unwavering.

"Here's the thing, kid... you murdered your girlfriend, Harmonie, oh wait, fiancée, sorry. You had a life ahead of you, but no... you just decided to destroy it for you and Harmonie," Detective Davis continued, trying to provoke a reaction.

Zack's calm facade finally cracked, and a flash of anger surged through him. "I didn't kill Harmonie, you cunt, and that's the honest God's truth!"

"No need for the emotions, young man. Just tell me the truth, and maybe your sentence won't be so serious," Detective Davis retorted, maintaining his stoic demeanor.

Suddenly, Zack stood up, slamming the table with an immense force. However, the detective remained unfazed. "You don't know anything! That old man swore I wouldn't get caught; he swore he hid that stupid diary well!"

"So you did kill them?" the detective asked, leaning back in his chair.

Zack looked up, a wicked smile on his face that sent shivers down the detective's spine. "I suppose if I got caught, I'm not letting the old man get away with it while I rot in prison... yes, Mr. Frank and I killed them all together. Lidia, Jake's father, who was an accident—it was meant to be that horrible excuse for a kid, Jake, and my grandfather, who got in the way."