The Girl in 206

Chapter One

I was just clocking out for the day at work when I received a ping on my phone notifying me of the latest local news. The headline was gruesome, "THIRD WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN SUITCASE 2 MILES FROM PREVIOUS LITTLE RIVER MURDER".

My heart dropped every time I read the news lately, but this especially caused my stomach to churn uncomfortably. Little River was 5 square miles in size, and up until the last 3 months, had been one of the safest places to live in the country. There had been some talk recently that the two murders that took place through July and August hadn't been a coincidence, but now...

Two is a coincidence but three is a pattern, as they say.

I scrolled quickly through the article while walking to the parking garage. All three women had blonde hair with brown eyes, all petite. All of them were found bent and folded inside of suitcases, their hair chopped off and their eyes mutilated. With this new murder, I knew that a fear of being alone would rise inside of me. Typically a very independent person, maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea to walk places in pairs. Thankfully the parking garage at the hospital always had a lot of traffic after shift change, myself and every other nurse getting away from the hospital while we could.

Taking two flights of stairs to my car and finding the old toyota just where I had left it, I let out a sigh of relief. The day was over, in time I would forget what was published in the news, and I was off for the next few days so I could finally take some time to relax.

My best friend Lacey was planning to drive down for a visit next weekend, and at 7 in the evening she should be off work, so I decided to give her a buzz.

The phone rang once before her ecstatic voice greeted me from the other end of the line. "Hey girl! You driving home from work?" She asked.

"Yeah I literally just got in the car. Long day. What are you up to tonight?"

She sighed, "Nothing really - Joe has been avoiding my texts and calls again over the past few days. He's still upset that I wanted to take a break while I come visit you next weekend, even though I explained to him that I need a break from the world - not just him."

"You told him that you wanted no contact for a week, right?" I asked curiously. Lacey's relationships didn't always make sense to me but I didn't judge. Her and Joe had been together for almost three years, and after recently saying no to his proposal because he had cheated on her six months ago, their relationship was on the rocks. Most of the time I didn't really understand why she would stay with him, but they were truly twin flames. I'd met few couples that loved each other so deeply, and Joe's infidelity had blindsided Lacey. She hadn't told me the gruesome details, but she believed him when he said he would never cheat again, and she felt that the two of them would be able to move past it with time.

"I just need a break from the man!" She exclaimed. "Ever since I said no to him, he's trying to make up for every mistake that he's ever committed against me. Constantly being the doting boyfriend, and that's just not him. I miss my playful Joe, the one who teases me and fights with me." I could understand that. "I don't want to be with someone who walks on eggshells around me, even though I have reassured him time and time again that I trust him."

I nodded as if she could see me, offering my thoughts. "I understand that. A relationship with no pushback is like watching paint dry. Been there, done that. A week of R&R with your best friend will do you some good!" Hearing her squeal on the other line, I couldn't wait to have her come stay with me. A small beep sounded on the other end of the line.

"Ah shit, that's work calling. Speaking of - there's something I've been meaning to mention to you."

"Hmm?" I asked.

She hesitated for a moment, which made me nervous. Lacey was not someone who hesitated to tell me anything.

"I haven't told you that my team has been working on some of the forensics for the murders that have happened near Little River..." she trailed for a moment, "I found out today from my boss that they found a third body and the police think it's a serial killer!"

My lips turned down and my brows furrowed. "I saw an article about the third woman found just as I was leaving work. It's fucked, isn't it?"

"Definitely not a good time to be living alone. Good thing I'm coming down!" Her phone beeped again and she groaned. "Alright, I gotta go. I'll text you later?"

"Sounds good!" I tried to say with energy in my voice but failed miserably. We said our goodbyes as she took the other call waiting for her.

My drive home was short, so by the time she hung up I was already turning onto my street. I pulled my car into its assigned parking spot, and let my head fall back against the seat as I turned it off. Exhausted wasn't dramatic enough for how tired I was feeling as I stepped out of the car, locked it, and headed inside of my apartment building.

The stairway and hallways were quiet as per usual, but tonight the silence held weight as if something was waiting behind each corner for me. Once I slipped into my apartment, I swiftly locked and dead bolted the door behind myself to revive any feeling of security.

The building has cameras at the entrance, I reminded myself. As I stripped off my scrubs and waded toward my bathroom to shower, I could only hope that my hips were wide enough the serial killer would never choose me. I don't think I would fit inside a suitcase anyway.