Stranded

By Laura-Leigh Celeste

What would you do if your worst nightmare came to life?

Kellie is enjoying a weekend getaway at a remote lakeside cabin with her new fiancé when a stranger shows up claiming to be stranded. In the blink of an eye, her entire world is turned upside-down, but the police don't seem too eager to help her.

There is more to the truth than meets the eye!

EXCERPT:

With the fluffy cream towel dangling from his fingertips, Adrian turned a smile on her; and her mind idly noted that the previously artificial stretch of his lips had taken on a decidedly sinister undertone.

“Looking for something?” he inquired, his black gaze traversing her body, taking in her electric-blue bikini in a leisurely sweep that made her skin crawl and her stomach churn with disgust.

“Give me that,” she snarled, her hand darting out in an attempt to snatch the towel.

But his reflexes were faster than she had anticipated, and he withdrew the prize as she sprang for it, causing her to stumble forward. To her dismay, his free arm caught her around the waist, locking her against him, and he dropped the towel to the floor as his hand moved with the speed of light to smother the scream that was on the tip of her tongue.

***WARNING***
This novella contains themes which may be triggering for some, including sexual assault, incest, and murder. Please continue only if you feel comfortable doing so.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Purple Orchid Publishing Ltd.
• Release date: Nov 29, 2022
• ISBN: 9781005396794

Laura-Leigh Celeste

Laura-Leigh has been a fan of horror stories since she first watched Ghostbusters at the age of five. As a teenager, she would sneak home the Stephen King novels she borrowed from friends to read under cover of night after everyone else had already gone to bed, and she knew even back then that someday she too would write stories about the things that go bump in the night.Of course, sometimes the most terrifying thing imaginable is the iniquity that lies within the human heart. Thus, all of her stories have one foot in the supernatural and the other in reality, exploring the darkness without as well as the evil that lies within.However, not all of them end in a bloodbath – some actually have a happy ending.

Book preview

Special Thanks to:

Cover Images courtesy Freekpik.com

*** WARNING ***

This story contains

graphic themes and events

which are not intended for

younger audiences.

Parental guidance

is suggested for

persons under 18.

Some adults may also find

certain elements triggering,

so please only continue

if you feel comfortable doing so.

This story is a work of fiction.

Names, characters, places and

incidents are either products of

the author's imagination or used

fictitiously. Any resemblance to

actual events, locales or persons,

living or dead, is entirely

coincidental.

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication

can be reproduced or transmitted

in any form or by any means,

electronic or mechanical, without

permission in writing from the author.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1

CHAPTER 2

CHAPTER 3

CHAPTER 4

CHAPTER 5

CHAPTER 6

CHAPTER 7

CHAPTER 8

CHAPTER 9

CHAPTER 10

CHAPTER 11

CHAPTER 1

Lake Corona stretched out in the distance, its placid expanse disturbed only by the occasional breeze that rippled its glass-like surface. Nestled within Corona Woods, surrounded by towering sequoias that went on as far as the eye could see, it was the perfect secluded retreat, a haven of serenity, an asylum from the noise and congestion of city-life.

A contented sigh tiptoed out of her as Kellie stood on the front porch of the small log cabin that was situated a stone’s throw from the shore, her gaze traveling the breathtaking panorama in a leisurely arc.

She had grown so accustomed to the sights and sounds of the concrete jungle that it almost didn’t seem possible that such unspoiled beauty existed a mere ninety minutes away from the microscopic apartment she called home, and a wistful smile stretched her lips, her fingers idly twirling the ends of the sandy brown ponytail which hung over her left shoulder as she listened to the melodic chatter of the birds in the trees around her, her heart secretly envious of their carefree autonomy.

Although her life was far from glamorous, she knew that there was really very little about which she could complain without seeming ungrateful – her home was cozy and comfortable, despite its diminutive size; being a nurse at her local hospital allowed her to fulfill her passion for helping others; and the recent developments in her romantic life had far surpassed even her wildest dreams, especially considering everyone she knew had initially warned her that she was making a colossal mistake by diving into an office romance with the newest resident doctor at her hospital.

Her life was as close to perfect as it could be, at least on the outside.

On the inside, she had been feeling constrained, trapped in an endless, unchanging cycle. And while some might appreciate the consistency of having an inflexible routine, and even be thankful for it, she was not one of them. She desperately wanted to break free of the restraints of her daily life, to do something outside of the ordinary, to live a life beyond the structured control and rigorous schedules, if only for a short moment in time.

Which was why she had so eagerly agreed to making the trip to Lake Corona for the Labor Day long-weekend, and spent the previous month counting down the days until her much-needed getaway.

Everything is perfect, Veronica, Robert Schaeffer broke into her thoughts as he made his way out of the cabin to stand beside her on the porch, his arm snaking around her waist and drawing her up against his side. It truly is.

I’m glad you think so, the rental agent replied, her face beaming with unconcealed pride as she followed him out of the cabin.

Her perfectly coiffed blonde updo and bright red lipstick were the ideal complement to her tailored cream pantsuit and ruby-red pumps, but they seemed so starkly out of place in the laid-back setting that Kellie couldn’t help smiling as she wondered whether the ritzy agent even owned a pair of jeans.

You have my card, Veronica went on, drawing her out of her musing. Feel free to call me if you need anything, she offered as she crossed the porch and carefully navigated the short flight of wooden steps.

Thank you, Robert responded with a chuckle, but I think we brought too much stuff as it is.

Well, the offer stands, Veronica stated. And I’m just down the road if you need me, so it’s no trouble at all, she tacked on as she slipped behind the wheel of her gold Honda Fit.

With a cheerful wave, she was gone, the tiny car disappearing around the corner of the gravel driveway; and Kellie slipped her arms around Robert’s waist as she turned toward him.

She knows we’re only here for the weekend, right? she asked, her brow arching with speculation as she peered up into the dancing brown eyes of the gorgeous doctor who had jump-started her static heart. You didn’t tell her we’re moving in permanently or anything, did you? she queried; and she tugged her lips into a smile while she swiftly silenced the voice in the back of her head which was pointing out that she would love nothing better than to spend the rest of her days in the idyllic slice of paradise with the man in front of her, uninhibited as nature itself.

No, he replied, his face adopting a pensive expression as he ran his free hand across his crop of russet curls. But now that you mention it, it might not be such a bad idea. I could get used to living up here. And it’s only a ninety-minute drive, so you could come visit anytime you want.

You idiot, she pretended to chastise him even as her synthetic smile swelled into one of genuine amusement.

Her hand was still in the process of curling itself into a fist, with the intention of punching him on the arm, when he abruptly broke free of her embrace and darted through the front door, and she tried in vain to silence the snort of laughter which leapt out as she pushed herself off the railing and raced into the cabin behind him.

Gotcha!

His arm around her waist snatched her clear off the ground, and the husky rumble of his laughter danced around the small room as he tossed her down on the gray sofa and covered her body with his, his chocolate gaze bright with amusement as he sank his weight onto her, effectively pinning her down.

Yes, you did, she whispered, her hand reaching up to stroke