"So, Miss... Shore." The doctor, who was dressed in a tight, crisp, royal blue suit, flicked over a page to see what I presumed was the woman's details. "You've come back for another session."
"Yes." The woman had her back to the camera, but I could see that she was restrained, and had little hair on her head. It looked like her hair had once been thick, but now hair pulling seems to be the main cause of her baldness. I couldn't make anything of the colour, as the tape was in black and white, but I'd say what was left of it was an auburn brown, like my own.
"Well... What would you like to discuss?"
"The truth."
"The truth?"
"Yes, Dr."
"Continue, Miss Shore."
"I've been lying this whole time, Dr."
"Go on."
"He's in my head,"
"Who, Miss Shore?"
"HIM! The reason I'm here! The REASON YOU WON'T LET ME GO!" She started to battle at her restraints;
"Miss Shore, please;"
"He's all in my head~ he's not reeeaaalll~"
The tape flickers to a stop. I sat there, unblinking, trying to understand what just happened. W-when d-did...
"LILAC!" Oh god, Dad! I'm not meant to be down here!
"Where are you??" Shit shit shit! I searched for a place to hide- under the spare bed would have to do. I scrambled under, and finally heard footsteps walking down the basement stairs towards me. I panicked, the tapes aren't packed up, he'll know I was he-
"Lilac?" He grumbled and after a quick glance around, retreated upstairs; I was about to leave as well but then...
Then I saw YOU. How are you back? Why are you back? Oh why oh why..
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.