Chapter 1 - False Securities
She thought she had found her safe haven. She thought he could never find them here.
It was two days from her book signing and her nerves were in a bunch as public speaking was not her forte. But these days books do not sell themselves.
Pacing back and forth, practicing her speech for her latest crime novel signing event, she glanced from the front window and stopped in her tracks.
I must be seeing things. My mind is playing tricks on me.
After what seemed like an hour frozen in time, she redirected her thoughts and ran to the front window, stretching her neck to see the country road, high above. As the breeze moved the branches of the walnut trees, walnuts the size of golf balls rained on her car’s hood.
She shook her head, trying to erase the flashbacks that began to replay in her mind.
You better find yourself a good bodyguard. You won’t get out of this alive.
Just then, she hears the side gate slowly creak open, racing downstairs confirming all the doors and windows are locked. Slipping halfway down the stairs, she pops up like a hot Pop Tart in a toaster.
She trembles with fear, running from room to room, peering out from the windows and into her backyard.
That’s strange. I have a PO Box and took all the safety precautions…How could he find me? I need to lie down.
It has been five years since Willow, her son Louie and partner Steve moved from Sonoma to a small country town high up in the mountains to escape the death threats of her ex. The authorities were of no help and if she continued to live under these conditions, there was a good chance she could be featured on a future Dateline episode. She left the only home she knew in order to protect her family and herself, hoping to regain some sort of quality of life.
Taking her own advice, she laid down. The last thing she needs is another breakdown.
Feeling a bit restless, as the sun started to set, she reached for the bedside light. Thinking the bulb must have burned out, only to get up and turn the bedroom light switch on but still no light. It appeared to her that the power was out, so for confirmation she glanced out the window to the nearest neighbor’s house and noticed their lights were on.
They have power. Odd.
Desperately trying not to overthink the situation, a loud thud sounded off downstairs in the basement - resounding like a box falling on the hard concrete floor.
Both Steve and Louie have not returned home from work. It was time to be brave and investigate on her own, so she reached for the flashlight from underneath her bed, her hand shaking as she maneuvered her way in the dark.
Halfway down the stairs the door knob to the basement jiggles as if someone is trying to get in from the basement.
Was the basement door locked?
It was too late to worry about that now. Someone was inside the basement and she had a good idea who it was.
Before taking another step down to encounter the inevitable horrors below, she called 911.
“911. What’s your emergency?”
“Please come to 1865 Bridgeville. Hurry. There’s an intruder inside my basement.”
“Ma’am please speak up. I can barely hear you.”
Willow sneaks up the staircase and manages to step on every creaky board while doing so.
“1865 Bridgeville…..”
Suddenly the basement door slams down and off the door hinges.
Nothing but screams of terror can be heard throughout the house. Whoever it is now in inside.