Chapter One

Genesis Walker applied more pressure to the gas pedal as she sped on the highway in her vintage 1968 Corvette. It was a sleek black, completely refinished by her now deceased father. It was one of the few things she had left from him. Aside from a grand total of ten letters and maybe three photos, William Schuyler Walker II was just a face in the passing crowd. He had walked out of her life at the tender age of three and had only contacted her on her birthday. That had lasted until her tenth birthday, and the heartbroken child had sat in front of the phone until her party was over. From then on, Genesis Lynette Walker had swore to erase him from her mind. His recent death wasn't as much as a shock to her as everyone had expected. She had shown up at the funeral a few days before, looking as cheerful as could be and wearing green. Everyone had been shocked; including her fourth stepmother.

LeAnne Rimes' version of " How Do I " came pouring out of the speakers, and the redhead quickly switched the radio station.

" Not today." she mumbled as she settled on " Pour Some Sugar on Me " by Def Leppard.

She took the exit into the small town of Mallory, Nebraska and parked her car in the only empty spot at the county diner. She stepped out of the Corvette and immediately attracted everyone's attention. Perhaps it had a little to do with her outfit. Perhaps it had something to do with the car she was exiting. Whatever it was, Genesis had every patrons' attention as she made her way to the small building.

She was wearing a short pink and black plaid mini-skirt, black knee high socks, a pair of five year old Chuck Taylor high tops, a large male watch, sported numerous silver ball necklaces along with a set of silver dog tags, and was wearing her 'dead' fiancé's black muscle shirt.

She called him 'dead' because he was doomed to spend an eternity in prison, and Genesis wasn't sure of when she would see him again, if ever.

She ran her right hand through her straight, shoulder length, dark red hair. She eyed the crowded diner with her jade green eyes and shut the car door. She hurried into the building and sat at the bar, crossing her legs once she had positioned herself into a comfortable position on the leather-like red chair.

The place was immaculately clean for being so crowded; the booths were shiny since the patrons were nice enough to put their trash on the serving trays, the yellow floor was well swept, and the white bar was spotless. If a person wasn't involved in a conversation, they were found either listening intently to the jukebox or watching the television that was mounted on the far right of the place. Large glass windows encircled the entire eatery, allowing for the street lights outside to contribute some artificial light.

" Hey, Gen." Ernie, the owner, greeted with a large smile and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice.

She had been to this diner many occasions, and Ernie was an old friend of her mama's. He knew her favorite foods and had her orders memorized.

" Hey." she greeted with a small smile after taking a sip of the juice.

" What's got you here in Mallory?" he inquired, drying a large clear glass with a white cloth.

Her last visit in the small town had been nearly four months ago, the day she-

She gave herself a small shake to banish the memory.

" Business." she answered while taking another small sip of her juice. " I have to visit Mr. W's attorney."

Ernie nodded; he knew she never had called him 'dad'. " Oh. Where is it?"

" Well, the mansion is in Raccoon City, and that's where I'm supposed to meet him." she continued to drink the juice at a slow pace, not wanting to over do the sugar.

" Isn't that place under some kind of house arrest? Some freaky things have been happening there, I've heard." he commented as he sat the glass down and started wiping another one.

" Yeah, well-"

" EVERYONE SHUT UP!" a man shouted from near the glowing television.

The diner went silent, and the news report came blaring through.

"…and the death toll is reaching over 100,000 civilians. God bless those poor people. Back to you, Jenny." the man said, quickly dropping his remorseful tone.

Panic soon arose in the diner; some people quickly paid up and left, while others frantically whispered.

Genesis felt her jaw drop.

" Looks like you won't-"

" Yeah, look, Ernie. I've gotta run." she threw down a crisp 5 and ran for the exit.

A.N.- Okay, guys, you know what to do. If you have any comments, flames, or just plain reviews, please send them. I want to know what you think. Later!