𝐕𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐑𝐡𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐦 ◍ 𝑻𝒆𝒆𝒏 𝑾𝒐𝒍𝒇

𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐋𝐎𝐆𝐔𝐄

🏹🐺

I drove alone through the quiet streets of Beacon Hills, the only light coming from my car's headlights cutting through the dark. I had just moved to this small town with my family and was still getting used to the new surrounding. I had just finished talking with my dad on the phone, he was already home, unpacking things, and mom and Allison were on their way. His work had always kept us moving, he supplied firearms to the government and people, at least that was what he had told us.

Anyway, with the moving, I could barely count the number of times we'd started over in new places, making new friends and memories, only to say goodbye, only to leave everything behind like it was nothing. I was tired of moving. This time, I really hoped things would be different. Maybe Beacon Hills would be somewhere we could settle down for a while, a place to finally call home. The idea brought a small sense of comfort as I drove, even though my mind was heavy with thoughts of the past.

A sad song played softly through the car's speakers, and I reached over to change the channel, hoping to find something to lift my mood. As I flipped stations, a deep, serious voice of a news reporter filled my car.

"In a shocking discovery," he began, "local police have found the bottom half of a young woman's body in the preserve, with the upper half still missing."

My hands froze on the wheel, and a shiver crept down my spine. I had heard of unsettling things before, but this was different and it felt more immediate somehow... like a dark omen hanging over this town. The reporter went on to advise listeners, especially young women, to be extra cautious at night, as the details of the incident were still unclear.

A cold unease settled over me, who would do something so horrific? The thought alone made my stomach churn, my heart went out to the girl, even though I hadn't known her. She probably had her own plans, her own dreams, and people who cared about her. Now, she was gone in the most brutal way possible, with half of her left to be found. I couldn't even imagine what her family and friends were going through right now. It was tragic to think how someone's life could be cut short, reduced to a mystery for the police and a headline on the evening news.

As I continued driving, I found myself glancing nervously into the shadows along the road, imagining what might be lurking there. Beacon Hills suddenly felt less welcoming than it had just a few minutes ago. I silently vowed to keep my guard up and stay vigilant, even as I wondered if this was really a safe place to call home. The town had seemed peaceful and quiet, almost quaint. But now, with the knowledge of what had happened in the preserve, I could only hope the darkness I sensed was temporary, that this was the last tragedy the town would have to endure.