Looking in from the outside, the sleepy seaside town of "Mornington" North Carolina was the perfect destination for a quiet getaway, a serene and safe place to raise a young family. Children walked around freely without a care in the world, families picnicked by the shore, and of course like every small town everyone knew each other and your business. Though scrape away the top layer and all the skeletons buried come to the surface and the walls come crashing down. The idyllic seaside town held a dark past full of lies, betrayal and murder.

August 2006:

"Mornington. N.C."

Ray Fitzpatrick woke with a huge smile upon his face. Indeed he definitely had a lot to be happy about. He had a beautiful wife whom he loved and adored, a wonderful home he was proud of, and he had just been elected as the new Sheriff; life was certainly looking up.

"Good morning Sheriff." Patty smiled proudly, walking into the bedroom.

"It certainly is." Ray chuckled. "Have you been awake for long?"

Patty smiled, "Awhile I had a few things to do this morning."

Ray moved slightly as Patty walked over and rested her head on his chest. "Did you happen to pick my shirts?" He asked running his hand through her long dark curls.

"They're hanging up in the closet; Mrs Williams also managed to get the grease out too." Patty replied placing light kisses along his torso.

"Thanks I appreciate it" Ray smiled kissing the top of her head. "So what are your plans for the day?"

"Cleaning; and hopefully getting through most of those." Patty replied referring to the mountain of essays that needed to be graded.

"Want to swap?" Ray asked. Just thinking about the mountain of paper work of his own, that was waiting for him at the station was enough to make him want to call in sick.

Patty laughed lightly sitting up, placing a small kiss his forehead. "I think you know why that wouldn't be such a good idea."

Ray sighed as Patty moved off of the bed. "Babe not this again, it's my job."

She shook her head slowly as she made her way to the door, "I don't want to fight about this again."

"I don't either but you know I need to do this." Ray replied hitting the bed in frustration. "Baby please come back."

Patty turned back around exhaling slowly. "I don't understand why you can't leave this alone?"

"Baby this is a part of my job, I need to do this. I don't want too, but people deserve some answers."

Patty leaned against the door frame, shaking her head again. "Since when is opening up closed cases from 13 years ago, part of your job description?"

"Patty officially closed and "Leave this case alone" are two completely different things." Ray replied shortly.

"Ray I'm begging you please leave all of this in the past." Patty asked, moving over to the end of the bed and sitting down. "Hasn't all of this hurt too many people already?"

Ray moved closer to his wife, reaching out for her hand. "I love you I really do, but baby I'm doing this so everybody can finally put the hurt behind them. I want everyone to be able to move on with their lives and be happy again."

Patty gripped his hand tighter as tears welled in her eyes. "I'm scared Ray, I'm really scared about this and for you."

"No matter what, I'm getting to the bottom of this." Ray replied pulling her into him. "I promise nothing bad will happen, to me or to you, or anyone that we love and care about. I won't let this madness continue anymore."

"You promise that you'll be careful?"

"I promise."

St. Victoria's Hospital:

Set in the beautiful mountains of the great state of North Carolina, set upon 4 acres of heaven is the "retreat" St. Victoria's. The facility was originally opened to treat soldiers who weren't able to acclimatize back into civilization after the war, and eventually privatized in the late 1960's. It's now a "retreat" for the more influential members of society.

"How is she today?" Dr. Hamilton asked, checking in on one of her long term patients.

"Actually quiet talkative, I'm amazed." Nurse Prescott replied. "I walked in to wake her and she was up and dressed, greeted me with a smile and asked how my weekend was."

"Sounds promising." The doctor smiled. "What's she writing?"

"No idea she's been very secretive about that, but at least she's out of bed and doing something."

"Good. Morning Kara, how are you feeling?" Dr. Hamilton asked walking over.

"Morning doc, I feel really good this morning, I can breathe again." Kara responded warmly. "I think I might even go outside today."

Dr. Hamilton smiled, "Excellent Kara, I'm so happy to see you so relaxed, and clear minded."

"Me too." Kara laughed. "Wow it's been a while since I've done that, I forgot the sound of my own laugh."

"Music to our ears dear." Nurse Prescott smiled. "Just call out when you want me to take you out."

"I will." Kara nodded. "Hey Doc can I speak to you please?"

"Of course, what's on your mind?"

"I took your advice and I'm letting go. I'm writing again and I feel like a brand new person." Kara smiled.

"Kara you know what this is… The doctor paused, "This is progress, and I can't begin to tell you how amazing this is."

"This is progress isn't it?" Kara gleamed. "Finally!"

"Keep it up Kara; this is the first step to the rest of your new life." Dr. Hamilton smiled walking away.

"And the end for those miserable bastards who left me here." Kara said to herself, finishing her letter and sealing it. "Watch out "Morny" I'm coming home."

Later that morning:

Ray arrived at the Sheriff's office eager to begin his day, and was happy to be first one to arrive. He made his way and decided the first thing to do was make himself a strong cup of coffee. As soon as the drop hit his tongue he instantly regretted it. "Better coffee." He hissed pouring the rest of the awful crap down the sink.

After finishing up in the kitchen and throwing the remaining coffee beans out, Ray proceeded to his office. He opened his office door and leaned against the door frame, "Things are gonna change 'round here." He smiled walking in and shutting the door behind him. Taking a seat behind the desk, Ray cleared some room and pulled out the file that he and Patty had been fighting about. The file pertained to the very case he was on when he first arrived in town. It was the attempted murder of two young locals, Sahara Johnston and Football Q.B and local hero Bradley Wilkinson, and the subsequent disappearance of the young man.

The case had plagued him all his career, but he knew in his gut that something was off but for all this time all his suspicions had been shot down. "Boy just leave it alone, the case is closed." Was all he had heard since the night that not only changed his life, his town but also the lives of everyone involved.

"I'm gonna find out what happened brother, believe me I will." He whispered, his thick Southern accent shining through. "I'm gonna find you and bring you home, one way or another."