Rain tapped against the windshield of Detective Rebecca Lane's unmarked car, creating a rhythmic symphony that matched the drumming of her fingers on the steering wheel. The city that never slept seemed to be in a state of restless slumber tonight. The usual dazzle of lights was replaced by a muted, eerie glow that cast long shadows over the damp pavement.
Rebecca's eyes, a piercing shade of green that had seen their fair share of darkness, were fixed on the city's skyline. From her vantage point on the edge of the rooftop parking lot, she could observe the entire sprawl of urban life. But tonight, there was something off. A creeping unease wrapped around her like a cold, damp blanket.
Her phone buzzed on the seat next to her. With a sigh, she picked it up, her gloved fingers deftly navigating the screen. The message was an encrypted video file from an unknown sender. With a raised eyebrow, she tapped on it, and the screen illuminated with an eerie blue glow.
The video showed a dimly lit alley, rain-soaked and slick. A figure emerged from the shadows, their form distorted by the darkness and the rain. They walked with purpose, moving closer to a flickering streetlight. And then, as if the world itself had grown hungry, the figure was devoured by the encroaching shadows. The light dimmed until it vanished entirely, leaving only a void.
Rebecca's heart quickened. She watched the video again, her mind racing to make sense of what she had just witnessed. It wasn't a camera glitch or a clever hoax. Someone had actually disappeared into thin air. She felt a chill crawl down her spine, a sensation she hadn't experienced since that gruesome murder case three years ago.
When Jane Madarang's neighbor Natalie kills herself and leaves behind cryptic instructions, it's up to Jane and her classmates to unearth deadly secrets.
*****
Natalie Driscoll is dead.
She threw herself out a window and left her neighbor Jane to unravel their town's darkest secrets. Following Natalie's instructions leads Jane to three other high school students who all have something to hide. The four of them must carry out Natalie's final errand while solving the mysteries written in her diary. But the secrets they unearth may be far more dangerous than what they ever imagined.
Content and/or trigger warning: This story contains scenes of suicide, violence and murder that may be triggering for some readers.
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