Shadowed Suspicions

SHADOWED SUSPICIONS

By: Rachel D. Kramer

I. [One Year Ago]

"Come on Maddie, get your scrawny little butt over here. I promised your mother I'd get you to school on time. Don't make me look bad," Ally called from her car to her best friend's daughter.

Maddie, a lanky twelve year old with red hair and freckles to match, came meandering down the path from the front door of her suburban home. Adam and Lilith were hard working parents, who - for reasons Ally didn't understand - were quite wary of school bus transportation. Since both of Maddie's parents had a busy schedule this morning, Lilith had trusted Ally to do the transporting.

"I'm coming Aunt Ally, jeesh!" Maddie replied, sounding more amused than annoyed. The awkward teen flung open the passenger door, and tossed her backpack to the floor, before slipping into the seat beside her godmother.

Ally raised an eyebrow as she watched little Maddie play with her fuchsia colored iPod. "We're not going anywhere until you buckle your seatbelt young lady."

"Yeah, yeah." Without having to be told a second time, the girl secured herself in her seat, prior to Ally pressing down on the gas pedal.

"So?" Ally began, coasting through early morning traffic, making small talk. "How's your first week back to school? You're in seventh grade now, right?"

"Mhmm," Maddie proudly nodded. She removed the headphones from her ears, and wrapped them around her iPod, before placing it into the front pocket of her backpack. "It's totally awesome. And there's this really cute guy in my drama class. Yesterday, our teacher paired us up, and then we had to introduce each other to the class. He was so cool!" She told her Aunt emphatically.

They approached a stoplight as Maddie let out a resigned sigh. "Do you think he likes me?"

Ally didn't hesitate, "Of course he does, sweetheart." She gave Maddie a warm, reassuring smile. "What's not to like?"

The light turned green and Ally pulled out into the intersection. She didn't see the speeding Expedition that flew through the red light, until it was already colliding into the passenger side. Ally's car spun out of control, and only finally came to a stop when her side careened into a streetlight pole. The inertia from the impact had sent Ally's head cracking against her window, just before it shattered. Shards of glass rained down, and one particular chunk sliced across her collarbone. A warm substance flowed from that gash, staining her yellow blouse a deep and ominous color. She didn't feel much at first, just overwhelming fear and panic.

Ally fought through the pain and craned her neck enough so that Maddie came into view. The young girl, who had been talking so excitedly with her just moments ago, was now eerily still. A bright crimson liquid streaked much of the unconscious girl's ginger tresses. If Ally could think straight, she'd get them both out of this car (and then possibly throw-up).

"Maddie," Ally croaked. Her voice was hoarse and barely audible. Ally's vision was already closing in as she reached out to her goddaughter. The tips of her fingers grazed Maddie's soft pale cheek. Then, Ally too, slipped into unconsciousness.

II. [PRESENT DAY]

Ally Baker pulled her hair into a tight ponytail and checked her reflection one last time in the bathroom mirror before heading out. She felt a twinge of inadequacy when her eyes raked over the raised pink line that flawed six inches of her collarbone. Ally adjusted her sports bra ever so slightly, until it hid the less-than-attractive scar marring her fair complexion. Much better, she thought.

It was five in the morning and she would be driving an hour into the city to attend her boyfriend's self-defense class. Lux - Ally's beau of nearly two years - had been teaching self-defense long before they met, yet Ally had never taken part in his sessions. She had supported him wholly in his efforts, of course, but she never saw the subject as a necessity. Besides, she was way too busy to make time for such things, thanks to her very demanding job at Finch's Lit Agency. But that was the past. Ally would demand that her work be put on hold. She had more than a good enough reason to make time for Lux's classes now, because Ally Baker feared that she was being stalked.