My name is Thirteen, the Unlucky One. My mother loathes me, my father ignores me, my siblings abuse me, and the village branded me as a monster. All treat me horribly; except one, my only friend, my comfort, my sister Lucida. One day, Lucida and I argued, a rare interference in our relationship, I ran; away from the village into the woods; hoping for the branches to surround me and grab me into their world. But instead of branches, I am surrounded by hands, grabbing me, clawing me, as I fell into it. Then I met pitch-black darkness and a voice that sent chills up my spine as it spoke.
"This is the wrong girl, you imbecile! Find the girl, the one named Lucida, and bring her to me! That girl is the only one left from that tribe, and I need her. Go now, and while you're at it, lock this one in the prisons. I will personally kill her for fouling my mood." The voice said as it laughed. An evil, dark laugh, and it echoed as I was dragged away into cold darkness.
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.