A white ceiling, the sterile smell of antiseptic, and a persistent throbbing in her head. This was all starting to feel like a grim déjà vu for Emma. Turning her head, she saw the soft glow of a television screen playing in the corner. A newscaster's serious face filled the screen.
"This is a breaking news alert. Authorities have confirmed the arrests of three individuals connected to the recent homicides in Green Oaks. In an unprecedented turn of events, we can now identify the suspects as local resident Heather Adams, along with Jason Prim, heir to the multibillion-dollar Toastie's Toaster Pastries company. Most shocking of all, police have also arrested the town's Chief of Police, Nathan Gates.
The investigation is centered around a series of murders and the recent attempted homicide of a local resident. At the scene of the crime, one person was pronounced deceased and has been identified as Thomas Little. We will continue to bring you live updates as the story develops. In a statement released just moments ago, Jason Prim's family has already hired a high-profile legal team, claiming their son had no part in the crimes and that all accusations are baseless. Meanwhile, Emma Pear remains hospitalized, and we have yet to hear a response from her family regarding this stunning accusation..."
The broadcast's cold, professional tone made her cringe. She pressed her eyes tight against the painful images of the previous night.
She was alive, but the throbbing ache in her stomach reminded her of how close she had come to death. Unlike the last time, Blake wasn't by her side. Instead, her parents were slumped in an armchair, their exhaustion evident in their peaceful, sleeping faces.
A wave of guilt washed over her. She couldn't shake the feeling that she had caused Blake so much pain. If she hadn't run out of prom, none of this would have happened. She needed to know he was okay. Her mind wouldn't let her rest, and she began to struggle, trying to push herself up.
Her father's eyes fluttered open. "Emma, stop. You'll open your stitches. You need to rest," he said gently, standing and placing a soft hand on her shoulder to keep her down.
She reluctantly laid back, looking back at the TV as the reporter continued.
"Ms. Pear appears to have been the primary target. Law enforcement sources suggest the suspects had an unknown vendetta against the young girl and were attempting to kill her with Nathan Gates covering it up. With Mr. Prim's family hiring the best legal minds in the country, the burden of proof will now fall squarely on the prosecution to provide irrefutable evidence against him..."
"Bastard," Emma whispered, watching as her father picked up the remote and turned off the TV. The silence that followed was even heavier than the broadcast. The possibility that Jason might walk free was sickening. He just couldn't get away with this. His parents were so powerful, though. Could she really lock someone like him away with no hard evidence?
"Don't worry yourself over that, Emma," her father whispered, as a soft knock on the door made her mother stir.
"Come in," her mother called out.
Emma turned her head to see Ms. O'Connor walk in, a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a get-well card in the other. "I hope I'm not intruding," she said with a small, kind smile.
Before Mona could say another word, Emma's mother stood and pulled her into a tight, tearful hug, startling her for a moment. "Thank you... thank you so much," she cried, her voice trembling.
Mona smiled softly, rubbing her back before pulling away and setting the card and flowers on the bedside table. "It's my job, ma'am, and as long as I'm around, I'll always help anyone in need."
Emma gave her a small, grateful smile as Mona walked to her bedside. "How are you feeling, kid?"
"I'm fine," Emma said, trying to be strong. "But... have you heard anything about Blake?" Her parents settled back into their seats on the couch, watching intently.
Mona gave her a comforting smile and patted her shoulder. "He's doing good. He's lucky he was wearing that jacket you gave him; apparently, it was thick enough to stop the bullet from hitting any vital organs."
A wave of pure, overwhelming relief filled Emma's body. The jacket she had gotten him had ended up saving his life. She couldn't help but smile widely, thanking God for real leather "Mother, Father, can I please talk to Ms. O'Connor privately for a moment?" she asked.
They nodded, standing to leave. Her father walked out the door, and her mother hesitated, looking back at them for a moment before following and closing the door softly behind her.
Emma pushed herself up slowly with Mona's help. "Do you think they'll all get life in prison... even Jason?" she asked, the fear returning to her voice. She didn't want to have to deal with him again.
Mona's expression turned serious. "I think Heather and Mr. Gates will definitely get life. Maybe I can get them to flip on him, to give us more about how he paid Mr. Gates to cover the murders of the five other girls in exchange for a shorter sentence. But his lawyer can just say anything they say is hearsay. We have no physical proof of his involvement, other than that, and the bank statements from him paying Mr. Gates."
Emma's hands balled into fists on the bedsheets. All he had done, and there was a real possibility he would get away with it. They had no physical proof, and it infuriated her.
Suddenly, a soft, electronic beep and a flash of green light came from the necklace around her neck. "Data full," a tiny voice announced.
Emma's eyes went wide, a jolt of sudden, electric hope shooting through her body. She stared at the necklace Blake had given her, seeing the small green light blinking.
"No way!" she yelled, making Mona jump. "What? What is it?" Mona asked, her eyes wide with urgency.
Emma tore the necklace off, her hands shaking, and clicked the tiny button on the side. She held it up with a huge, tearful grin. "My necklace! It records audio! At some point last night, it must have started recording. It could have Jason's confession on it!"
Mona's eyes widened in disbelief as Emma passed the necklace to her. She turned the tiny device over in her palm. "You can count on me, Pear," she said, her voice filled with a quiet intensity.
"We're going to get this to a computer and see what's on there." Mona nodded once, walked to the door, and left, leaving Emma to pray that the necklace had recorded something worthwhile.
YOU ARE READING
It Started With Hello
Romance***** Emma Pear knew she wasn't the most popular girl in high school. Her nose was usually buried in a textbook, and her grades were as spotless as her reputation for always following the rules. "Nerd" was a label she'd long since embraced. Her pare...
