Nefarious

By Latosha Downs

The Oak Harbor Massacre.
A Sweet Sixteen Party.
Eight murdered. Others injured.
Among the dead Rylan’s parents and twin sister. What started off as a magical night with family and friends under the stars and twinkle lights ended in a bloody scene of screams and death. For years Rylan led everyone to believe she didn’t want to speak about that night. Any part of that night. Magical or horrific. When the truth is Rylan Somers had no memory of the attacks that night. Only what she had seen on tv or the internet over the years. And from the scars that covered her body from the brutal attack on her.
Six years later Rylan returns to her family’s summer home to finally say goodbye to the past and put the house on the market. And maybe, just maybe, jog her memories. Was the face of the killer hidden away somewhere in the recesses of her mind? Would being back in Oak Harbor, back in that house, wake her memories?
With plans to only stay a month Rylan gets right to work on the house with no intentions of reconnecting with old friends from that horrific night.
But life has others plans for Rylan Somers.
Old friendships grow stronger. New relationships get started. Lies are exposed.
And The nightmare wakes back up and this time it has a name… Nefarious.
Will Rylan Somers make it out alive again? Or will Nefarious finally get the revenge they seek?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Apr 2, 2020
• ISBN: 9781532097591

Latosha Downs

Latosha lives in Alabama. She has loved writing since the age of twelve. Envelopes is her second novel. Her other novels include The Girls of Charity.

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

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R YLAN SOMERS STOOD, with her arms crossed, on the dock her gaze on the three-story white stone house in front of her. The dock was the first place on her parent’s property she had gone. It seemed like it would be easier to go to the dock, walk the long walkway to the first set of stairs, then the small patio to the second staircase up to the larger patio. From there she could either enter the house through the kitchen or up the outdoor staircase to the second-floor balcony, that would take her to the living room and the master suite.

Rylan was now rethinking her decision. The drive up to the house didn’t look so bad. The front and the side yard by the driveway were overgrown with weeds and vines, yes. But now standing on the dock looking up at what used to be one of her favorite places on earth, the house looked ominous. Everything was overgrown with grass, weeds, vines and thorns. The windows reminded her of dark hallow eyes staring back at her with an echoing a question; Why are you here?

How many times she had asked herself that same question over the past couple of months. Maybe it was worded a little different like ‘Why am I going there?’ or ‘Why would I want to go there.’ But every question had the same answer.

I don’t know. Rylan said to the house her words getting carried away by the breeze. She tucked a strand of her super dark brown hair behind her ear. But it did no good. The off the lake blew her hair loose again.

Over the past six years the place had gone downhill. After that summer night back in 2004 Rylan never wanted to come back to this place. It was forever tainted in her memory now. A bloody night with great lost for the town of Oak Harbor, Washington. So, everyone said.

For Rylan there were only quick hazy flashes from that summer night. Her most clear memory was one she wished was lost. The guilt had subsided over the years. She had learned to live with it. But maybe it was only easy because she had left this place and the people, vowing never to return again, for the sunny beaches of Florida to live with her only remaining family members; her Aunt Linda, who’s late husband had been her dad’s only brother and her cousin Marlysa.

Rylan wasn’t so sure that guilt was going to lay dormant much longer. The one person in the world that could drag it all back to the surface and make her deal with her sins still lived in Oak Harbor. Someone she hadn’t seen or talked to since that summer.

Rylan squeezed her eyes shut, fighting the memory; fighting the voices from that night. Music played in the background. Laughing was going on all around the deck and the backyard light up with twinkle lights at the Somers’ home. There was nothing but fun in the air. A celebration, a sweet sixteen party for the Somers’ twins.

But she wasn’t there with her twin Rydel the entire night. No, she had made plans with someone that had off-limits written all over them. Someone that should have been with his girlfriend instead of off in in a yacht docked at the deck. Then maybe he would still be alive today.

What killed Rylan the most was that Anna Lindley believed a lie from that night. In her mind Derek Morgan, her loving committed boyfriend, had died a heroic death protecting her best friend from a masked killer.

Rylan was a little surprised at the sharp pain the memory caused in her heart. If only she could forget that memory to the dark past of her life. Unfortunately, it was the only clear memory from that night. And the only clear sound from that night was a loud night piercing scream that echoed around them stopping them both before they could make their sin even more sinful.

After that scream, and still to this day, Rylan had no memory of the attack on her or the scene at the house. She remembered no more until she awoke in the hospital a few days later. She still had scars on her body from that night. Rylan remembered the doctors saying how surprised they were that she lived through the ordeal she had gone through. Stabbed twenty times in the chest, arms and legs. With slash marks on both her arms and legs. Apparently, she had fought her attacker.

But the scars on her body were nothing compared to the scars that covered her emotionally. That night she lost family and friends. Her parents and her twin sister Rydel were taken away from her. Not including her parents and sister five others were lost that night and a few more injured. And those five others lost were between the ages of sixteen and eighteen. Friends of hers. And no one could tell her back then why this person did what they did. Why they attacked her family and friends so viciously and horrifically.

Rylan shuddered at the thought. She wrapped her arms tightly around herself, fighting the urge to look around the wooded area that surrounded the house and that went along the waterfront. Right now, she was alone at the place that had once been drenched in blood from the Oak Harbor Massacre. Still unsolved till this day.

‘Stop freaking yourself out, Rylan! It’s been six years and nothing else bad has happened.’ Rylan tried to calm her nerves. A war fought inside her; maybe she should have stayed in Florida. Let the past stay in the past and move on. Forget.

No, she needed to do this.

Rylan really wished she knew why she was doing what she was doing. She tried telling herself, convincing herself, she was doing this because it was time to let the past go. To finally and truly let go of the past. But was it really letting the past go when she didn’t remember much of that past?

Rylan looked up at the house again. What a dirty mess it must be inside. (She was trying to distract herself.) Now she really wished she would have taken her Aunts advice and hired someone as caretaker over the years. At least the property wouldn’t be this overgrown outside. And the house wouldn’t be a dusty mess inside. Or so she assumed that’s how the inside looked.

Slowly, Rylan made her way across the dock and onto the walkway with dead grass waist high and growing up between the cracks. The wind had picked up, blowing harder. She glanced up at the sky. It looked like rain. Heavy dark clouds hung in the sky. She loved this place during the summer, but she had never been here this time of the year, but she knew it was rainy and cold during the coming months. Not to mention maybe some snow. The word gloomy came to mind. Now that she thought about it, the weather here suited her current mood.

Rylan stopped at the bottom of the first set of stairs and looked up at the house. Its dark empty windows loomed over her. It looked and felt like the perfect scene from a horror movie. Which it was in away. There were two movies based on that night. One was a true-life movie and the other was a cheap horror movie that had sex crazed teens getting naked and murdered. Rylan didn’t watch either one.

With a deep breath, Rylan made her way up to the balcony. She pulled her car keys from her back pocket and found the house key. This was it. It was time. The past needed to be dealt with now and this house and land needed to belong to someone else. She needed to let it go. The lock clicked and with a push the glass doors swung open. An old moldy musty smell smacked her in the face. Rylan coughed, waving her hand in front of her mouth and nose. It was going to be a long month.

Rylan picked up her foot letting it hover over the hardwood floor. She was aware of how her heart picked up speed and the tightness in her chest. She took a few deep breaths to calm her nerves. She had to do this. She needed to do this. She needed to be the one to go through her family’s belongings. She hadn’t looked at a family photo since she found out the day, she woke up in the hospital that her parents and sister were dead. Photos were going to have to wait for now. First thing first, she needed to walk inside the house.

One. Two. Three. Four. Five.

Rylan dropped her foot to the hardwood floor the action echoing in the dark living room. She brought her other one in beside it. She couldn’t bring herself to smile at her small accomplishment. There was that ever-hanging dark cloud over the place haunting it. Dingy white sheets covered furniture and end-tables. Empty bookcases sat on each side of the fireplace on her right. Rylan took a few more steps inside her past. Memories spun around in circles inside of her. There were so many. Her family had been coming here for the summers from age five until that summer.

‘I wonder if that old tree house is still standing.’ Rylan looked over her shoulder out the doors and to the woods. That first summer here was when her dad and a neighbor, Mr. Lindley, built the tree house. It really wasn’t a tree house. It was no more than a few feet off the ground. But she and Rydel and Anna had a blast in it every year up until they were thirteen and decided tree houses were lame and boys were the new thing to be interested in. Rylan’s first real smile appeared since she arrived.

The first thing Rylan did was open some of the windows to air the house out before it started raining. She started pulling some of the sheets off while coughing at the years of grim and dust. The furniture was more of statement pieces than for comfort. Abigale Somers was rich and proud of it. A shadow fell over Rylan at the thought of her mom. She pushed the thought away. If she cracked now, there was no way she would be able to finish this house in a month.

Within the hour Rylan had gathered all the sheets and opened a few more windows throughout the house. Except in two rooms. The master suite and the bedroom on the top floor that she had once shared with Rydel. Rylan knew she was only putting off the inevitability with those two rooms. She just wasn’t ready to face what was in them. She had left everything behind that summer. Rylan was actually surprised that everything was still in the house. Well so far it looked that way. She really couldn’t remember what had been in the house that summer. Rylan made her way down to the kitchen. A light rain was falling outside but not enough to have to close the windows just yet. She walked over to the island in the middle of the room. The grim and dust was so thick she couldn’t even leave a finger trial in it. A sigh escaped her. She had been here for hours and only had the living room almost cleaned. The kitchen looked dark and gloomy when in the past the rich cream color was vibrant, and the marble top counters were shiny enough you could see your reflection. The glass front cabinets were filthy. Her gaze stopped on the carving above the stove. It was detailed perfectly of a man driving a chariot being pulled by three horses and another man driving a chariot in the same manner in front of him. How she dreaded cleaning that!

Knock, knock.

Rylan spun around at the sound of her cousin’s voice. Marlysa stood in the entryway that leads to the dining room and the staircase to the upper floor in all her glory of flowing perfectly straight blonde hair, very short, very tight skirt and equally tight long sleeve white shirt. And let’s not forget the heels.

Marlysa! What are you doing here? I thought you never wanted to see this place again. Marlysa had been there that summer night too. If she remembered a lot from that night, she never talked to Rylan about it.

I felt bad after you left yesterday morning for here. I talked to mom and decided that if you could face this place again so could I. I booked the first flight out I could. Marlysa walked over to her cousin and hugged her, a prayer in her heart for the both of them to make it through this next month. She hated this place with every fiber of her being but would do this for her cousin, her best friend, her family.

Thanks. Rylan’s voice was clogged with tears. She held back a cough having sucked in a deep breath of Marlysa floral perfume. She felt nothing but relief that her cousin was now here with her. They let each other go. I’ve not even made a dent in this place.

I saw the living room. Does the entire place have this smell? Marlysa scrunched up her nose and waved her hand in front of her face.

The smell is nothing compared to what it was when I arrived four hours ago. You couldn’t even breathe in here.

I can only imagine. Okay, so what do you want me to do? I’m here to clean.

Rylan laughed as she eyed her cousin’s outfit. I’ve never heard those words come out of your mouth before.

There’s a first time for everything.

Yeah. I really don’t know. I’ve just been letting this place air out and gathered up sheets off all the furniture. I did a little dusting but the way this place looks we’re going to need a truck load of cleaning supplies.

Unfortunately, you’re right about that. Marlysa held back a groan at the sight of the counter tops and the filthy cabinets. She hated hard work. Do you really think we can do this all this cleaning in just a month?

It will be hard but yes I believe we can do this. Rylan forced herself to sound more confident then she felt. Though she wouldn’t be the least bit surprised that if in the coming days Marlysa complained about the work that needed to be done.

I believe you as much as you believe you. Marlysa gave her a sideways look.

Yeah.

Why don’t we make a list of everything we’re going to need, go get it this evening and start in the morning? Suggested Marlysa knowing good and well her cousin was going to think she just wanted out of work and part of her did. The other part she just didn’t want to be in this house or on this land when night came.

I guess. It has been a long day. Rylan looked at her phone to see the time. It was only three in the afternoon. The sun would be setting soon, and the rain was starting to come down harder. The cloud coverage did make the house seem darker. She shivered a little. She didn’t want to be here at night. Especially with no lights.

Where are you staying? Marlysa asked as she helped Rylan close all the windows.

At the Harbor Inn. My room has two beds so you can stay with me. Rylan pulled down on a window then locked it. She rubbed her hands together. It had gotten cooler with the rain that had moved in. Let’s go.

I’ll meet you at the Inn. Marlysa made a run for her rental car in the rain.

Rylan watched her leave then locked the back door. She walked the edge of the patio and looked out over the back yard and the dark rippling water of the lake. She still couldn’t believe she was here. She ran to her rental car and got in. Driving into town, Rylan made a stop at the grocery store. Again, she ran in the rain. She was wet and cold but didn’t care. Who was she going to see that she needed to impress? Pulling her now wet hair over her shoulder she walked inside the store. A shiver shook her body from the cold air whooshing out the door. Grabbing a cart Rylan went straight for the cleaning supplies. She was loading up on mopping and dusting essentials when a couple turned down the aisle. Rylan paid them no mind. So far, she had been doing well at staying out of sight. She dropped a couple of large bottles of Lysol in her cart.

Rylan?

Rylan froze. ‘Great.’ Slowly she turned to face the first person from her past. She forced a polite smile. It was Lisa Thomas, Sheriff Thomas’ wife. Both had been present that summer night. Mrs. Thomas had gotten plump over the years. Her hair mostly all grey and cut in a fashionable bob. Wrinkles lined her face.

As I live and breathe, it is you! Lisa exclaimed as she rushed over to the girl and hugged her. How you’ve grown! When did you get back? How have you been?

Rylan heard the way the older woman’s voice dropped on the last question. She wasn’t surprised when she backed away from Mrs. Thomas that there was sadness in her eyes. I got back yesterday. She chose not to answer the ‘How have you been?’ question. She wasn’t sure she could answer it anyways. Rylan was pretty positive everyone was – is – going to think she’s crazy for coming back.

How long are you down for? You’ll have to come to dinner one night.

I’m only here for a month. I’m trying to get the house back in order to sale, so I don’t know how much time I’ll have to spare. Rylan tried her best to get out of the dinner invite. She loved the Thomas’. Lisa Thomas had always made the best oatmeal raisin cookies. She and Rydel would always sneak over there during the summers and she would always have a plate waiting for them. The memory caused a sharp pain inside Rylan.

So, you’re going to sale. Maybe that’s a good thing, dear. Lisa gave her a sympathetic touch on the arm. For some reason this made Lisa look older to Rylan.

Again, Rylan forced a smile. This was another reason why she didn’t want to come back to this place, all the pity looks and words she was going to get. If it was up to her, she would much rather not have to answer questions about that night but knew good and well that was never going to happen. This run in with Mrs. Thomas was proof of that. It was that moment that Rylan noticed the young man standing not too far behind Mrs. Thomas. She didn’t recognize him.

Oh, Rylan this is Luke Caxton. He’s the new pastor. Lisa brought the young man to stand beside her. Pastor Caxton this is Rylan Somers.

It’s nice to meet you Miss. Somers. Luke extended his hand. Rylan unwillingly shook his hand. If he knew who she was, he was good at hiding it. Hope you’re able to join us one Sunday.

Nice to meet you too and we’ll see. Rylan said with no intention of attending any kind of church service. She hadn’t been to a church in six years. What happened to Pastor Moore?

He retired three years ago. Pastor Caxton here is his nephew. Explained Lisa with smile. And we’re glad to have him here.

And I’m blessed to have such a wonderful congregation. Luke gave Mrs. Thomas a one arm hug.

Well, I need to finish up here and get back to the Inn. Marlysa is waiting for me. Rylan took a step back, bumping into her cart.

Marlysa is here too? Lisa asked surprised.

Yeah. She surprised me today by showing up. Rylan grabbed the handle of her cart and gave it a little push. Bye. She knew she was being rude, but she couldn’t take any more talk about the past with people from the past and people she didn’t know, like Pastor Caxton. Rylan pushed her cart to the front of the store, paid for her things then walked back out in the rain. It was a drizzle by now. She sat her things in the back seat and slammed the door closed. She looked up at the sky, blinking as the rain splattered on her face mixing with her tears.

It all seemed harder now that she had talked with someone from Oak Harbor. And it was only going to get worse as she ran into more people. Anna still lived on the island and she believed Tate Warner had taken over his dad’s boat rental business. Tate. He had been Rydel’s boyfriend. He was hurt that night fighting off the killer.

Rylan fought to control the tears brought on by memories of Tate and her sister. Her throat hurt from the fight against the tears. She blew out a long shuddering breath and wiped the rain off her face with the end of her shirt sleeve. Maybe this hadn’t been such a good idea after all. Maybe she should have hired a company like Marlysa had begged her to do. Like her Aunt had begged her to do.

Are you okay?

Rylan embarrassingly looked at the guy that was asking about her well-being. She didn’t know him or didn’t remember him. For all she knew he could have been on the island that summer too. I’m fine. She assured him.

Okay, but most people who are fine don’t stand in the rain crying. He pointed out.

Yeah. Rylan said annoyed with herself. She was going to have to stop thinking about the past when she was out in public. It gave people like this whoever this man was to ask about her well-being.

By the way, I’m Casper Eckhardt.

Rylan, She hesitated on her last name. Somers. She finally really looked at him. He was tall with a light scruffy beard. He wore a gray hoodie with dark hair sticking out from under the hood. His eyes were a deep soulful vibrant blue and let’s not forget his award-winning smile. Was his name really Casper? The thought almost made her smile. With those blue eyes he did seem unworldly. His parents sure did have a good sense of humor when they named their son Casper.

Are you sure you’re alright, Rylan Somers? The name rang a bell somewhere in the back of his mind but the girl in front of him didn’t look familiar with her dark hair plastered to her face from the rain and her green eyes sorrowful.

As good as can be. Sorry for taking you away from whatever you were doing. Rylan ignored all the thoughts that wanted to fill her mind over Casper Eckhardt’s good look. How selfish was it for her to want to dwell on how handsome Casper Eckhardt was when she was here in Oak Harbor to do what she was here to do.

No, it’s alright. Just grabbing something for dinner. Casper assured her that she hadn’t inconvenient him in anyway. Besides, I didn’t have to come ask about you, did I?

No, you didn’t. Rylan smiled at his honesty and lack of pity in his tone and eyes. No one in her past would have been sarcastic with her like that. It was refreshing after what she had seen in Mrs. Thomas, who did mean well with her concern.

At least now you have a smile on your face. Casper said with his own smile. Since he moved to Oak Harbor a year ago, he still didn’t really know that many people and he wasn’t much of one to just walk up to someone like he had just done when he saw this girl standing by her car crying in the rain. It was out of character for him causing him to wonder why he had just done what he did. Why had this beautiful woman caught his attention?

At least now my cousin won’t smother me with a million questions. That Rylan was thankful for. She smiled her thanks. Though, I might have to explain why I’m soaking wet.

Glad to help. Casper said looking from Rylan to the sky. Looks like we have a break in the rain.

Guess I better get going. I hate driving in the rain. Rylan opened her car door.

You hate driving in the rain and yet you moved to Washington State. Casper narrowed his eyes a little, a teasing glint there. We get a lot of rain here.

Ironic, I know. I’m only here for a month though. Rylan’s eyes saddened a little on her words. She forced the odd feeling away. She should only feel happiness knowing she was leaving Oak Harbor in a month.

Casper’s mouth parted to say something when he noticed the sudden change in Rylan, but her next move stopped his chance.

It was nice meeting you, Casper. Rylan got in her car and left, never once looking back at the guy in the parking lot.

CHAPTER TWO

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T HE NEXT MORNING Rylan grabbed the rest of the cleaning supplies her and Marlysa were going to need before heading to the house. When she had gotten back to the Inn last night Marlysa wasn’t in their room, giving her time to gather herself after the run-ins she had, had at the grocery store. Thankfully, Marlysa never noticed the lack of cleaning supplies last night when she arrived at their room in an oddly good mood. Rylan wasn’t about to question it. It was risking too much. If she questioned Marlysa then Marlysa could question her for no reason at all.

Rylan pulled up at the house. She wasn’t surprised that Marlysa wasn’t there. She hated being at this place alone and Rylan didn’t blame her. She hated it too but knew she couldn’t let that fear stop her. Not if she wanted this place presentable in a month so she could put it on the market. Rylan got out of her car and lugged her bags of cleaning supplies to the back door.

The day was going to be warm and sunny, a high in the sixties. A perfect day for being at the house. No, dark shadows lurking around her. Rylan got right to work cleaning. Scrubbing every inch of the kitchen to get it done and out of the way. It was getting close to lunch by the time she moved to the dining room off to the left of the kitchen.

Rylan paused in the entryway, her eyes on the huge dark wood table, surrounded by eight heavy wood chairs. The last meal she had, had with her family at this table filled her thoughts. It was her parents, Rydel, Tate, Anna and Marlysa. They were discussing the party for the next night. They were all so happy. Laughter from all of them. Even her mom seemed to be normal and not acting like she had to appear rich and refined like she always did. They were going over the details. When the decorators were going to show up and the catering company her parents had brought in from New York. It was the perfect night with family and friends.

Rylan walked over to the huge chair that sat at the end of the table, with the windows overlooking the water behind it. She lightly ran her fingertips over the top of it. It was the place her father sat. His chair. Her chest tightened a little as she pictured the many times he had sat there.

There was a memory there in the back of her mind from when she was a little girl; her dad helping her build a birdhouse out of popsicle sticks. A little girls laughter seemed to echo around her, mixed with the deep and hearty laughter of her dad. Her mom wouldn’t let her keep it in the house. It didn’t match her décor. Her dad built a stand and they put it down by the water. It had broken long ago. But there were pictures.

Rylan looked up. She was told most all the pictures were packed away in the attic. She had only been on the upper floors to open windows the day before. Except the windows in her old room and her parent’s room. Was she going to be able to go in those rooms? Was she going to be able to sort through her sister’s things? And go through her parent’s room? Was she going to be able to do this at all? Her hands came to her mouth as she fought back tears. A sob escaped. The past six years had been so long and horrible. She had worked so hard to leave the past in the past. It didn’t matter that didn’t remember most details from that night. But being here was bringing up other memories. Memories she had fought not to think on over the years.

Rylan felt tears slide between her hand and face. She jerked her hand away, annoyed. She hadn’t cried about her family in six years. Not since that first week after finding out the events of that night. She cried and cried until she was sick and never thought she would stop crying. Then one day, she woke up and the tears were gone. That was her first meeting with a therapist. There was no talking and no crying. Only an hour of silence. This would be the pattern for the most part for the next two years until she was eighteen and didn’t have to attend anymore unless she wanted to. She didn’t.

Now here she was crying over her family at the worst possible time. When she needs a clear and focused head to get the job done. Rylan banged her fist on the back of her dad’s chair. The urge to curse was there. The words on the tip of her tongue. Being back in this house and remembering how both her parents were against such words seemed to put a clap over her mouth, not letting the words escape. That only annoyed Rylan even more.

Ugh! With a swing of her arm, she threw down the dust rag in her hand and ran from the dining room, through the kitchen and out on the patio. Rylan took a few deep breaths of warm wooded air to calm her nerves. She heard the sound of gravel crunching. Someone was here. Wiping her face with the hem of her shirt, Rylan expected to see her cousin walk around the side of the house. Where had Marlysa been all morning?

Good day, Miss. Somers. Sheriff Thomas said when he spotted her standing on the patio. The Sheriff had always been a heavy-set man with now gray hair and a gray beard.

Rylan forced a smile. She knew she shouldn’t be surprised he was here today. Not since she had ran into Mrs. Thomas last night at the grocery store. Mrs. Thomas had probably told him to come check in on her, all things considered.

Hi, sheriff. Rylan’s arms crossed loosely around her. It was odd seeing him again. The last time she had seen Sheriff Thomas was in the hospital when he broke the news about her parents and sister. Rylan mentally shook her head. Strong. She needed to stay strong. She did not want pity from these people, and she did not want them to think she was fragile. What brings you around?

Just out on my rounds and thought I would come see if my wife was right. She said she saw you last night, but I was sure she was seeing things. Thomas said with a smile.

Nope, I’m here. Rylan shrugged her shoulders. Interacting with people had become almost nonexistent in her life and especially with people she knew. This was person number two from her past. The pastor was a stranger and she still wasn’t sure about Casper.

Glad to see you’re doing well, Rylan. Thomas said a little gruffly as he scratched his bearded chin. The wife said you were thinking of selling this place. He looked up at the house that was a scene of a case that is still a thorn in his side. It was a good think Rylan was selling. She needed to move on.

Not just thinking but going to. Rylan corrected him. There’s really no reason for this place to just sit here like this. I’m never going to move back here. There was an edge to her tone.

How long you plan on staying? Thomas asked. There was real concern in his tone. Rylan wasn’t sure but she thought he looked sorry for her.

I was planning on just a month but that was before I saw this place. Rylan’s tone was weary as she looked out over the backyard with its overgrown lawn. There was no way just her and Marlysa, when Marlysa decided to show up that was, could get this entire place ready in a month.

That yard does look pitiful. I’m sure I could gather a few able body men to come out and take care of the outside and I’m sure the wife wouldn’t mind helping out on the inside. Offered the Sheriff.

I’ll take the outside help. Rylan said without hesitation. She had a timetable to stick too and with the help on the outside her and Marlysa could easily get the inside done by themselves. She really didn’t want anyone else inside.

I’ll make some calls today.

And you’re sure this won’t be any trouble?

None at all. He assured her with a smile. I know just the guys to do it.

Thanks Sheriff. Um, can you explain to them what needs doing so I, um. Rylan stumbled over the right words to say. She didn’t won’t to come off as rude or ungrateful. She just really didn’t want to have to deal with people unless it was absolutely necessary.

Why don’t you tell me now what you’re thinking for the outside area so then you won’t have to worry about anything else.

Okay. Rylan said with relief. The two of them walked around the backyard. She was glad the Sheriff knew more about landscape then she did. He made most of the suggestions and she just agreed to them.

When they were done and the Sheriff had left, Rylan went back inside and got to work. This time she put in earbuds and listened to music to keep her thoughts at bay. Hours flew by and she was pretty much done with the first level of the house when it came to dusting. She still needed to mop.

Rylan gathered her things. When she pulled her phone from her purse, she had a missed call from both her aunt and cousin along with a text from Marlysa. She read it out loud.

Sorry! I ran into an old friend and lost track of time. Please don’t be mad, Ry. Rylan rolled her eyes. So much for Marlysa feeling guilty about not wanting to come here in the first place. As she walked to her car her stomach let her know she hadn’t feed it since her flight here. That was over forty-eight hours ago. That wasn’t the best thing for her to be doing.

For the past four years she had been struggling with an eating disorder. It had all started her freshman year of college. She was bound and determined not to fall victim to the freshman fifteen. It got out of hand. Her food intake seemed like the only thing in her life that she could control. She had the power over the food and her body and the only time that the two could disappoint her or hurt her in anyway was if she let it. In the past year she had been seeking help. She had spent six months the year before in a program at a hospital. She was doing better this year. This was the first time in months she had gone this long without eating.

Rylan got in her car and drove into town. She found a small diner with Wi-Fi. The diner was new. It hadn’t been there when she was here last. She hoped that she wouldn’t run into anyone she knew. The bell above the door chimed when Rylan pushed opened the door. There was this small-town homey feel to the diner. And smelled of burgers and fries. And maybe chicken. Small wood tables with wood chairs filled the dining room. It was a seat yourself kind of place. Rylan found a table off to the side, away from the few customers that were there. No one seemed to pay any attention to her.

Rylan pulled out her tablet and connected to the Wi-Fi. She needed to check on her order of kitchen appliances that she had placed before leaving to come to Oak Harbor. The power would be turned on sometime the next day. Rylan was going through her email when she felt someone approach her table.

Hi, I’m Anna, your waitress.

The color drained from Rylan’s face, her stomach dropping. She couldn’t bring herself to look up. Even though she knew that voice, she prayed – begged – it wasn’t really her. Anna Lindley. Rylan tried to swallow. Her mouth and tongue felt like it had a layer of cotton. Her chest tightened with anxiety.

Here’s a menu. Can I start you off with something to drink? Anna asked the girl sitting alone with her head down.

Rylan knew she had to look up. Knew she had to face another person from her past. It felt like she had a weight strapped around her neck forcing her to keep her head down. The seconds ticked by with Anna still holding out the menu and waiting for her drink order. You can’t hide forever, Rylan. You knew it was bound to happen sooner or later. I was just hoping it would be later.

Um, Miss?

Coffee. Rylan finally looked up, her eyes meeting with Anna’s, her former best friend. Rylan took the menu form her. Anna didn’t say anything.