"I tasted too what was called the sweet of revenge – but it was transient, it expired even with the object, that provoked it." Anne Radcliffe
Kayla Benefield stared up at the stars as she walked outside, her chocolate lab in tow. "Annie, come on baby," she said, laughing at the awkward puppy on the leash. "Let's get busy, I'm tired and I have exams tomorrow."
Annie didn't seem to understand this as she rooted through some kudzu on the side of the quiet suburban road. Two lakes were on either side of the road of the quiet residence called Laurel Lakes. Suddenly, the dog stood stark still, hearing something. She then retreated back, crying, to her master, who was looking on confusedly.
"What's goin' on, baby?" Kayla asked, reaching down to scratch Annie's ears, trying to calm her down.
Kayla reached up to touch her necklace, a simple silver chain with a pendant of eight children holding hands in a circle. If one didn't know better, they would say it was a snowflake. "Annie?" she asked again, her voice getting higher. "Come on, sweetheart, I'll take the heat if you pee in the house tonight, let's just go home."
Kayla quickly picked up the puppy, who had no objection, and began to walk quickly back to her house. She heard footsteps behind her. Not wanting to turn around, her walk soon turned into a run, but the stride behind her was longer, stronger, and gaining. She turned to see who was chasing her, but couldn't see because of a glare of the streetlight.
A sharp pain filled her head as she tried to yell but couldn't. Her mouth wouldn't move. Her hand lifted to her forehead and came back covered with blood. She let go of Annie, who ran barking back to the house, trying to let someone, anyone know what was happening to her master.
Kayla Benefield was found dead three days later in a ditch only five miles away from her home.