The Final Horseman: The Final horseman, #1

By Alicia Escobar

A group of girls go on a trip and on their first night they are attacked and it's up to Annalise to save them while maintaining her sanity.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Alicia Escobar
• Release date: Aug 5, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201280840

Book preview

Chapter 1

Family gatherings are always the worst, especially for those that don’t particularly like their families and more so when they tend to speak of how much promise you once had. Annalise has been up since five in the morning, setting up for the rest of the family. She could be asleep right now. Better asleep than listening to such harsh comments, the next person who tells her how wrong her choices in life are will spend the rest of their stay in the hospital.

You look like you’re contemplating murder.

Annalise looks to her side to spot her brother walking towards her, taking a seat next to her. I am, she chuckles while scanning the room, the chatter of my family drowning their conversation out. Have you prepared your room for our cousins?

Yes, mother has bumped me down to sleeping on the floor while the younger cousins take my bed, he sighs, rubbing his face.

Tell me about, she snorts leaning back on the couch She has me sleeping in the living room, you’d think they would pick to stay at a house that has space for them

Like aunt Nat?

Exactly.

She hates us.

I get it.

You hate everyone, he rolls his eyes. I don’t mind it, it’s nice for the whole family to get together like this.

I don’t hate everyone. I love you, don’t I? and besides, you’re more of a family person than I am. You know I don’t hate them. It’s just them all being here is so overwhelming. 

That’s your anxiety speaking, he says, poking her side softly.

Hey-

What are both of you doing? You’re supposed to be helping! their mother yells from the kitchen. Whatever, Annalise. I need you to go to the store and pick up some things. I sent you a text. Fernando, go help your cousins unpack. 

Well, that’s our cue. You want anything from the store while I’m there? Ann asks while checking her phone.

Some salt and vinegar chips and a soda please, he says, walking away.

Ok.

Ann gets up and walks to the front door, putting on her shoes, grabs her keys and walks out, relieved to be away from so many people. Only to realize they blocked her car in. Fan-fucking-tastic she murmurs. The drive to the store is short, too short for her liking.

You got what I asked for? Her mom asks as she walks into the kitchen.

Yes, mom.

Good. Good.

Grabbing Fernando’s snack, she walks away to find him.

Catch! she throws it at him.

Thanks.

Ann hums in response while looking at her phone. Hyun’s name flashes on the screen. Please tell me you want to hang out. I can’t take it anymore! Ann screams, answering the phone.

That bad huh! she says, chuckling.

You have no idea. So, what’s up? Hyun is one of Annalise closest friend. She’s a few months younger than Annalise. Even though everyone thinks otherwise as Hyun is 5’9’’. She’s exquisite in Ann’s eyes. Hyun, being mixed Korean and Mexican, has quite distinctive features.

You have a passport, right? Hyun asks sweetly.

Yea. Why? Ann sneaks a look outside to see the aunties drinking coffee and gossiping.

Wanna go to Paris for a month-

Huh?

Paris! I already talked to Maggie and Teresa, they’ve agreed to come along-

I can’t afford it.

Would you shut up, stop interrupting me and listen! Hyun huffs. As I was saying, it’s all been paid for Maggie’s parents. They’re lending us their private jet and letting us stay at their villa for the month and giving us a little spending money. Oh, also, Eliana is meeting us there.

How rich are these people Ann thinks, Um uh I can ask? When would the trip be?

Right now.

Right now?

Yes, right now. The planes are set to take off in an hour.

What! That’s too sudden!

Just ask. We’re on our way to your place right now, Hyun hangs up.

What? What? Now? Huh! I’m so confused.

In a daze, Ann walks over to her mom who’s prepping meat with her hands as her dad talks to her.

So..um Hyun invited me to spend a month in Paris with some friends and the trip is all paid for, Ann hesitantly approaches her parents.

You should go, her mom states.

Yea, the problem is I’d have to leave right now. The plane takes off in an hour. They stay silent, looking at Ann. So can I go?

Ann’s parents turn to look at each other, walking away to have a private conversation. Ann hears snippets ‘It’s a family reunion!’ or ‘She doesn’t enjoy it’. They argue for a few more moments before they come to a decision.

Her mom takes a deep breath. Fine.

"Thank you! Thank