In a small, picturesque village nestled amidst rolling green hills, a shadow looms over the tranquil existence of its inhabitants. Whispered legends speak of a malevolent force that dwells beneath the surface, waiting to ensnare unsuspecting souls. Caught within the clutches of this enigmatic power, the villagers find themselves entangled in a web of darkness and temptation, their lives forever changed.
As night falls, the veil between realms grows thin, and ancient secrets awaken. In the heart of this eerie abyss lies a perennially locked door, etched with intricate, cryptic symbols. Some view it as a mystical portal, while others fear it as the embodiment of evil itself-the Devil's Trap.
The tale follows the intertwined stories of three individuals from different walks of life, each grappling with their own demons. Emma, a fiercely independent journalist, arrives in the village to investigate its ominous history, but soon finds herself haunted by nightmares that blur the line between reality and the supernatural. Driven by an insatiable curiosity, she unearths hidden diaries and forgotten testimonies, determined to unravel the truth before it consumes her.
Benjamin, a disenchanted artist, wanders through life like a ghost, haunted by a past he can't escape. When Emma's path intertwines with his, he is forced to confront the darkness lurking within himself. He becomes drawn to the mystique of the Devil's Trap, questioning if it holds the key to unlocking his creative abilities or if it is simply the catalyst for his descent into madness.
Mara, a troubled young woman, has unwittingly become a pawn of the Devil's Trap. Her life takes a sinister turn when her loved ones become entangled in the malevolent entity's clutches, forcing her on a desperate quest to rescue them from damnation. As she traverses the line between heaven and hell, Mara must uncover her own supernatural power while battling the demons that threaten to destroy her soul.
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.