The ferry's engine hummed to a stop as it docked on Strum Island. Vibrant colors of the setting sun reflected off the water, casting an orange and pink glow over the passengers disembarking. Helena scanned the crowd, her eyes lingering on familiar faces before they fell upon Braeden Villegas. He approached her with a playful grin.
"Helena Krueger, long time no see," he teased, his warm gaze never leaving hers. "Welcome home."
"Thanks, Braeden," she replied, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. "It's been too long."
Olive waved over a golf cart meant to transport guests to the manor. "Hop in, everyone! We'll get you settled!"
But something in Helena urged her to walk. "I think I'll stretch my legs," she said quietly, stepping away from the group.
"Suit yourself," Olive shrugged, climbing into the cart with the others.
As Helena ventured into the woods, she felt drawn to a particular path that veered off the main road. The memories of Cole Holmes flooded her thoughts as she approached the tree where detectives had recovered his body. She swallowed hard, remembering the horrifying sight of her friend hanging lifelessly from one of its branches.
"Helena," Preston's voice broke through her dark reverie. "Are you okay?"
"Y-yeah," she stuttered, tearing her gaze away from the tree. "Let's go." The two walked in silence to the Manor.
As they walked away, a hidden figure tightened their grip on a leash just out of sight.
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At Brandt Manor, Tess Petty greeted Helena and Preston with a warm smile. "You must be exhausted. Come on, let's discuss wedding plans. The island has all you essentials for the perfect secluded wedding." She pulled Preston aside, leaving Helena to wander the grounds.
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Meanwhile, Ashleigh Lewis and Alanna Leblanc retired to their room. Alanna grinned mischievously as she closed the door. "I've got a surprise for you," she whispered, revealing plans for a sailing trip during the week. Ashleigh's eyes widened with excitement.
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Back at the docks, Braeden squinted at something wedged in the ferry's rudder. Zackary Abbott approached, his curiosity piqued. "What's up?"
"Something's stuck," Braeden muttered before diving into the water. He resurfaced, triumphantly holding a piece of rope. Handing it to Zackary, he remarked, "Looks like we've got ourselves a little mystery. I wander where this came from?"
Zackary chuckled, looping the rope around his neck and pretending to choke. "A deadly one, at that. You must have steered through a lobster trap again." He tossed the rope back into the water and it drift slowly below the waves.
YOU ARE READING
The Wedding Party
FanfictionYour invited to the wedding of Preston and Olive on the secluded Island Paradise of their dreams. Sun and sand await you, if you can survive. Olive is more then excited to marry the man of her dreams, but as wedding guests begin to disappear what wa...
