This is my first Sue Thomas fan fic, and it takes place a few months before the series finale. Don't worry, I will post things in relation to the actual show…this is just setting the scene for the new case.
Prologue
Krysta skidded to a stop at the old willow tree, kneeled over as she gasped for breath. I can't wait for this triathlon to be over. I am getting so sick of training! After catching her breath, Krysta shook her head stubbornly and continued foreword, determined to run the trail until it ended. She had never been a quitter, and this was a hell of a time to begin.
Her senses went on full alert when she heard the snap of a twig and a rustle of clothing and saw the faint and blurred movement of a shadow in the brush. The image in her peripheral vision caused her to whirl around suddenly. Her feet didn't move as fast as the rest of her and she tumbled backwards and landed on her butt. Why am I so paranoid? It's a park for goodness sakes, there is probably another jogger. Or an animal or something.
Krysta picked herself up off the ground and closed off her mind, determined to keep herself levelheaded and calm. This was only the first month of training, if she was getting scared now she would never be able to continue.
Krysta felt a hand on her shoulder and screamed, bringing up her hands to fight. She had never taken a karate class in her life, but she hoped that her stance would confuse the attacker. Watching Charlie's Angels a million times with her sister had made it so she could at least look like she knew what she was doing, but her skill level was nothing.
Krysta looked at her attacker and relaxed, feeling foolish at reacting so strongly before seeing who the person was. She hadn't known him for long, but she did know that this was an opportunity he would use to tease her about forever. If he had the chance, she wasn't particularly found of him and didn't plan on spending much time in his presence. There was just something…off about him, and she couldn't really name what it was. He was just different.
"Oh. It's just you. I-I thought, you're going to think this is silly, but I thought I was being attacked or something." Krysta laughed nervously and looked at him, puzzled, when he didn't join her.
"You should learn to trust your instincts." His cold voice shocked her and a shiver ran down her spine, a shiver of dread and warning. A shiver that told her to run as fast as she could and never look back. She managed to sprint forward, but he grabbed her ankle and dragged her along the floor. She screamed and dragged her nails on the grass, but there was no leverage and he over took her easily.
Krysta looked up long enough to see a dagger glistening in the light of the full moon and the zealous expression on his face. A white hot pain shot through her abdomen, and her world went black.