Crash.
I awoke from my sleep, the sound of glass breaking making me confused and curious. "Dad?
There was no reply. I got up out of my bed and into the hallway. I heard muffling and the sound of more things breaking. I heard a scream. Oh no. "DAD!" I ran down the stairs in panic, freezing as I saw my father's dead body. The door caught my eye as I saw the shadow of someone leaving. I ran to the door and looked outside, greeted with only the bright crescent moon and hint of lavender. There were no flowers around on this winter night. A tear slid down my face everything hitting me at once. I turned around quickly, my father's blood rapidly spreading across the floor. My tears came faster until I was just sobbing. I picked up the house phone, my hand trembling as I dialed 911. I couldn't stop crying at the sight of my dad losing his life. I knew that the police would not arrive on time to save him and as I painfully told them what happened and my address, the only thing that was on my mind, was revenge.
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My name is Emily Prescott, I am 18 years old. I was 6 years old when my father died and ever since, the only thing that has been on my mind is finding the killer and making him pay for his crime. My mother had died giving birth to me so I had to go to an orphanage. Sooner than later I was going to get kicked out because I was considered an adult now until one day a letter came in the mail with my name on it.
Dear Emily,
Congratulations! We are pleased to inform you that you have been invited to Hunter Academy. We are a criminal justice school and help our students control and focus their ability to use only for good. The address is on the attached paper and also the day that you start attending.
Sincerely, Hunter Academy
I looked at the paper in excitement, my eyes finding their way back to the words 'criminal justice'. Emily knew that she would finally find her father's murderer, even if it did involve a little bit of blood.
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.
***
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.