Eight students of a centuries-old Japanese academy wake in a strange building that may or may not be identical to their school. Their memories are foggy and none of them recall how they got there, but all remember one thing; a girl within the eight, Ioe Takenaka, and the daughter of the headmaster, committed a mass murder the last time they'd ever seen her. They're not the only ones in the building, though, and it doesn't help that the academy's history is spackled with urban legends and horror stories that just might have proof when you look close enough. Trapped in this odd school building with a skittish murderer and six strangers who either want to help or harm them, it's a challenge to decide who to trust in order for anybody to make it out alive.
Remember the Shrine.
[Will contain gore, sexual mention, coarse language.] [Readable on RoyalRoadL as well with better formatting]
A criminal mastermind makes a bold move against a wealthy client to put himself in a position to retire in comfort. He has no idea what he's up against when a young widow, desperate to make ends meet, sets her eyes on earning the bounty set on his head.
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Newly widowed housewife Melody Scott needs to earn some major cash, fast. When her bright and busy children learn that a priceless ruby bracelet has been stolen and a six-figure reward is being offered, they convince her to try to do what the police, museum security, and the best private investigators have failed to do. Working against them is a notorious thief who has met people from around the world, but who has never once encountered a woman like Melody Scott. When the sweet innocence of the Scott family clashes against criminal forces more dangerous than they ever imagined, Melody is all too aware that a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do to protect her family.
The Widow, Melody Scott is a 2021 Watty Award Winner!
Content Warning: This story does contain depictions of stalking behavior.