Oct. 10

1:32 am

He could hear her heart thudding inside her chest with each breath. Her footsteps beating the ground in quick succession. He nostrils flared at the thought and he quickened his pace. He could practically feel her warm skin underneath his fingertips. He needed to feel her warmth.

The girl smacked branches away with her hand as she ran through the trees. Her hysterical cries coming out breathless and hurried. She knew she was fighting a losing battle. There was nothing out here but a bunch of trees. Where could she possibly run too? Who was going to help her out here?

She turned her head around and stared into the eyes of the beast. Fiona was just trying to meet a guy at the bar. Her clothes were skimpy and she had hoped to score easily tonight. When the tall handsome man had appeared to her, she had thought she was the luckiest girl. His tall demeanor and his beautiful green eyes caught her attention. Fiona could tell he had money. Maybe it was his walk or the way he talked.

He had bought her drinks until her head started to swim. Then he had leaned closer and started kissing up her neck. It had sent shivers down her skin. After that, it wasn't hard for him to pressure her into coming home with him. Except he hadn't taken her home. He had taken her here.

The forest.

The trees crushed darkly around her. Her fear escalating into pure panic mode. She knew that there was no way out. The beast had captured his prey. Her sneaker caught on a branch and down she fell. She cried out as her ankle twisted. There was no hope for her now. She did the only thing she could think to do.

She turned to the man who chased her. She turned to the man who had tricked her.

"Please sir, i won't tell anyone i promise. Just don't hurt me!" she pleaded.

The man stood there in the shadows a few feet away. His shoulders shaking as he caught his breath. He could literally sense the fear rolling off of her. It was simply delicious.

"Of course, let me help you." he said. His voice coming out in a purr.

Fiona shakily lifted her arm and extended her hand to his. His grasp that was once warm gripped her hand. He pulled her up and lifted her into his arms. Her tears were streaming down her face. She knew what happened now.

The handsome stranger did not hesitate. He disappeared into the darkness with the girl in his arms. Soon he was swallowed by the darkness. The only thing that could tie Fiona to this place was a lone sneaker in the dirt. That was all that would be left of the girl.

Oct 23

8:42 am

Bella clicked the remote on her tv. The news came loud and clear over the tiny speaker.

"Breaking news. A woman has been reported missing. Fiona McAdams, age 22. Last seen leaving her DuBois apartment on October 10th. Last seen wearing black pants and a pink top. Anyone with any information is to report to the Sandy Township Area Police." the grim newswoman said.

Bella switched off the tv. What was wrong with people now a days? Bella had seen many crime shows on tv. She knew how these things usually ended. But here so close? There hasn't been a kidnap in this area for a long time. She hoped that the perpetrator was caught and soon. She felt bad for the poor girl. Then again, maybe the girl was just missing. Sometimes accidents occur and no one is around to see it and report it. She could be laying somewhere with a concussion. Maybe it wasn't anything too suspicious.

Bella shoved those thoughts away. She had more important things to worry about. Hopefully they found the girl, who ever she was.

Bella grabbed her coat off the counter and exited the house. She walked to her car and got it. She was going to be late for work. She drove as quickly as she could to the nursing homes front entrance. She pushed the car door open with a groan. She almost ran into the building. She ran to the clock in machine and punched in her seven digits. She sighed when she realized that she had made it just in time.

"Almost late again." said a voice from behind her.

Bella whirled around to face the floor lead, Becky.

"I made it just in time." she said.

"Yes i can see that, what is it now? One more tardy and your fired, right?" Becky sneered.

"I won't be late." Bella declared.

Becky popped the gum in her mouth and walked away. Her hips swinging oddly as she walked. Bella stared after her with thoughts racing through her head. That woman had it out for her. She just knew it. Ever since Bella had started working there a few months ago Becky hadn't kept her eyes off of her. Bella had to make sure she was not late again.

It wasn't entirely all of her fault. She was just a hectic kind of person. She always assumed that she had more time than she had. She thought that things would take quicker than they really did. It had ended up getting her almost fired. She did not want to lose this job.

Bella started on her daily routine for the morning. She checked in on her usual patients and changed bedding and clothing. When it was time for lunch she made her way to the nursing homes cafeteria. She grabbed a sandwich and headed for the table that she always sat at. Her friends Sam and Heather were already there waiting for her.

"Hey Bella, did you hear?" Sam said. Her eyes were wide. Bella could see all the pearly white teeth in her mouth.

"What?" she asked.

"That poor girl that's missing. They think it might be a serial killer." Heather said in a serious tone.

"Oh come on, how do they know that? Maybe the girl just got lost somewhere or something." Bella said. She picked her turkey sandwich up and went to take a bite. The other two girls looked at her with mollified expressions.

"What?" Bella said, throwing her sandwich down.

"This is serious Bella," Heather said. "This girl could be trapped in a basement somewhere having god knows what done to her."

"Heather, if a "serial killer" got her, she's probably already dead." Bella said flatly.

Sam shook her head. "Can't you at least pretend that your upset?"

"Why should i? It's not like it's happening to me." she said. She had picked up her sandwich and took a big bite. It had never tasted more delicious.

Authors note: More to come in the following days. Stay tuned. Things are just starting to get interesting. Let me know what you think! R&R