Of The Dead

Chapter One

Mara Zhang woke with a start, suddenly feeling very imbalanced and lost. Something was wrong. What was it? She turned on her lamp and looked around her bedroom. everything was in order. Charlie was usually there, but he'd been staying at Logan's cabin for the night. She wished, for one of the first times, that he was next to her. She knew this weird feeling would go away if he was.

    She eventually laid back down, telling herself she'd see him soon.

    Just over ten miles away, Charlie was on his last breath.

Three Months Later

MARA

1

    The Zhang house was almost a century old. It had been built in hopes that the city of Ash Lake would eventually prosper and grow. The city peaked early, and got stuck at the same small population. No more mansions were built, at least none that matched the majestic Zhang Manor. It stood at thirty six thousand square feet, complete with stables (no horses, though) and a pool house, it was barely rivaled by city hall.

    A shame only three people occupied it.

    Mara often thought it odd that her parents hadn't had more children. They were very interested in their legacy, and it was funny that they hadn't guaranteed it's existence by more kids. Instead they were content to rest all their hopes and dreams on Mara's shoulders. And all the extra bedrooms were turned into useless sewing rooms, art rooms, music rooms, and a few other rooms that no one really used or needed. Mara's parents each had a room, along with a room they shared, and Mara had the next biggest after those.

    It was there she spent the majority of her time.

    She would've preferred to stay in bed, but her mother was particular about her making it to breakfast, so she forced herself to leave. She walked down two flights of stairs to the dining room. Her family was certainly wealthy enough to afford a staff, but they were very private, very secretive, to the extent of not allowing any sort of help into their home. Lorelai was the only friend Mara was allowed to bring home.

    Mara didn't know what they wanted to hide. But if she was supposed to know, she would.

    If she needed to know, she would make it happen.

    She ate egg whites and cooked spinach, as she always did. Her family didn't speak to each other, as they always did. She could be wrong, although she thought it unlikely, but it felt like they were strangers. Like they all had secrets and lived in constant fear of one another.

    Funny how family worked.

    "Any plans for the day, Mara?" Mara's mother, Su Lin asked.

    "Lunch with Lor," she said absently.

    "Give her my regards."

    "Of course."

    "Has she learned anything more from that Peter boy?" Su Lin asked.

    "No. She would've told me." A lie. If Mara had learned anything from her parents, it was that it was wise to always keep yourself valuable, keep leverage over those closest to you. She knew more than she let on, and that was how she liked it.

    Important to keep one step ahead, just for a bit of insurance.

    "Well, make sure to keep me updated. It's pathetic how little Sheriff Metzler has found out. Don't worry Honey," Su Lin smiled, but just barely. "We'll find out who killed your boyfriend, whether or not the police want to help."

    Mara nodded. She had no doubt her mother would dig into the case. Perhaps too deep.

    It was just a question of who would hit bedrock first.