Death Role

By Hannah Kay

This could have been the start she was looking for. It could have been, but it was fast turning into a nightmare rather than a dream come true. Every actor and actress is given a role to play. Her script character was supposed to be fictitious. Her script character was supposed to get a threat note painted on her mirror, get hit by a car . . . and die. Not her. The filming crew is huge, but who could possibly want her dead? Time runs short as she realizes she only has a few scenes left. She is still assigned the death role, only . . . with her own life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jul 19, 2018
• ISBN: 9781641918817

Hannah Kay

Hannah Kay is a cowbell ringing, true maroon wearing writer of young adult fiction and a graduate of English from Mississippi State University. Hannah teaches high school English as a relatable language and hopes to instil a love of reading and writing into her students. A self-proclaimed wallflower, Hannah published her first short novel, The Artist and Me, with Finch Books in April of 2016, and followed with The Separation in March of 2017. When Hannah isn’t glued to her keyboard, she can be found curled up on the couch watching reruns on TV or singing show tunes at the top of her lungs. Feel free to connect with Hannah on social media for updates!

Book preview

Chapter

One

Dark and stormy nights don’t always mean that something horrible is about to happen. Because it was a perfectly sunny day, a perfectly sunny day on which she whispered to herself, I’m going to die.

She tried to pry her fingers loose from the armrests, but they ached from clutching so hard. What really made her sick was how her brain fed her poisonous what ifs at every bump of the turbulence. She closed her eyes with a nauseous feeling swirling in her stomach and desperately reached for the paper bag in front of her. A few deep long breaths into it seemed to calm her, and she leaned back. Only a little bit left to go, she told herself, biting her lip at what came to her head next. Only a little bit of airtime left? Or only a little bit of . . . life left? No. I’m not going to die. It’s going to be all—

You can take your seat belt off now. The woman to her right spoke sharply in her ear, cradling a newborn in her arms. The dizziness came back at the thought of unbuckling herself, and she shook her head, cupping a hand over her mouth. Gum. I need gum. She looked around for a flight attendant, praying that they would have some Trident Strawberry Twist in stock. Usually, she had at least two unopened packs with her, but now her purse was just littered with wrappers. Had she really chewed twenty-four pieces of gum in the last three hours? Maybe I do have a slight addiction . . .

What’s your name? the mother asked in a judgmental sort of fashion. In response, she lifted the booklet in her hands and pointed at the name with a trembling finger.

The lady squinted at the small lettering. Asmie Hayes Maynor? she pronounced, pushing her extremely large glasses up onto the bridge of her nose. Those are so out of date.

Uh . . . it’s pronounced . . .—Esme choked and closed her eyes—Esmay.

Ohh. The lady forced a fake smile. You’re an actress? she asked while swiping the booklet from Esme’s hands. "I’ve never heard of you before."

At last, an emotion had broken through her sick spell, and heat spread up her neck. Esme reached over and plucked the booklet out of the lady’s hand. The plane jolted again, and the lady crossed her legs, now ignoring Esme defiantly. She trembled, and this time, it wasn’t because she was deathly afraid of heights. She focused on the booklet in her hands, fire burning within her. It was that last comment that caused her to feel like this, feel like defending herself, explaining herself. What would exploding prove, though? Just that she was as insecure as Liam had told her she was. I can control it. Esme promised herself, trying to think of something else to distract her angry thoughts.

Truth be told, she hated planes, flying and everything about being up. So when her personal assistant, Rachel, had informed her of her part in one of Hollywood’s newest productions, she didn’t want to go. It was an impossibly rare opportunity, considering how young she was and that her experience was limited. However, Esme was terrified of heights, and the acceptance of her part in Unaccounted For was of short notice. She didn’t have the time to hop on a coach bus. It was the plane or no movie at all. She needed to get her profile going. That way people, like the lady next to her, would actually know who she was. The man on the other side of her was snoring and half leaning her way. A gob of saliva dripping down the corner of his mouth. The plane hit some turbulence, and he leaned closer. She swallowed and scooted over a bit, although trying to avoid getting any closer to the defiant mother. When I become a better-known actress, Esme thought, I’m taking a private jet. If she had been as famous as Adi Trusdale, she wouldn’t have had to take a middle seat. All she really wanted in the whole wide world was to have the aisle seat. It was closer to the exit, and that way she wouldn’t be smashed between two of the worst people to be made a sandwich out of.

Rachel had promised to be at the on-scene location in California, and she could hardly wait to meet up with her again. She was just the kind of woman that was sweet enough to calm Esme’s nerves and ornery enough to keep her safe. Esme had to smile a little bit at the remembrance of Rachel’s words.

My family needs me . . . I’ve given a lot of time to my career, but I still have a six-year-old son, and I haven’t made a birthday party on time to date. Good thing my husband is a stay-at-home daddy, or I’d be a sunken ship.

Sadly, Rachel wasn’t the best for family life. She’d rather travel and have adventure. In fact, she probably wouldn’t have gotten married, except that Spencer Meews was a rich inheritor. And their son? Well, Spencer had adopted him even before they got married. It seemed like Spencer was a goody-two-shoes, and he was smart with his bank account, but he wasn’t smart in the love section at all. He could have picked up a sweet wife from a church somewhere, but instead he hooked Rachel. Or maybe she hooked him. One of the two. Poor Uriah Meews will never grow up with a real momma. Esme often felt guilty that Rachel was paid to pamper her when she had a son at home with no mother. But Rachel chose this life. It’s not my fault. Esme tried to comfort herself. She changed her train of thought by returning her focus to the pamphlet.

Rachel had been especially excited because her nephew, Christopher, was also playing a part in the movie. She scanned the booklet for the name Christopher Kade and read his description. The little booklet had been sent to her from the studio. It described the roles of each character and the outline of the story. She skimmed the page, and her eyes caught on a character named James Carter. He was played by Jayden Michaels Kashar. Her heart beat a little faster. He was a very well-known actor. Jayden’s career had begun when he was only thirteen. She wondered how old he was now. Judging by the picture, midtwenties sounded about right. His pictures proved he was more than a good actor. The thought of being in the same movie gave her butterflies. Esme tore her eyes off his face and paged through until she found her own profile. Kayla Benfrix. That’s who she would be for the next ten months or so—a perky woman who was . . . . Wait one moment. Esme skimmed to the last part of the description: death role. That’s what Esme had gotten. The death role. She was the character that would die somewhere between the beginning and the ending credits. Oh well, that’s the kind of position that unknown actresses got. Esme kicked back to read the description of the story. Unaccounted For was a modern-age theatrical of a plot to kill the president of Colombia, and so far as she read, it sounded like a thriller. Esme rested her head back against the seat and took a deep breath. She had one chance to get this right. Tears burned in the back of her eyes, remembering what she had left at home. I’m doing this for you, Mom, and you would have been so proud.

Her uncle Rob would have been proud too, but he had quit. He’d given up on life. She gritted her teeth angrily to the thought that she had lost two of her greatest friends in less than a year. Her uncle had been her strongest supporter as she entered drama school. You’ll be one of the best, her uncle had told her. Maybe that’s why she got so angry when no one knew who she was or respected that she wanted the outside seat. God, I know I’m no better than this guy leaning on my shoulder . . . I just want to feel better—in any possible way.

What if she wasn’t strong enough to attack a main role? What if she broke down crying during a scene? No. My past is in Alaska, where it belongs. She smiled a little when she felt the plane begin its descent to the ground. She would be strong and stand tall. She wished her uncle Rob could be in this moment with her, giving her tips for her first big opportunity. When she thought of it, she could hardly imagine him committing suicide, and she was actually a little angry with him for it. How selfish of him, it seemed, to just end his problems when she needed him most.

Esme braved a glance out the window across the sleeping man and saw the many buildings of California glistening in the hot sun below. Man, I wish Abby and Lily were here. Abby would have been the one to help her make it through the plane flight, and Lily would have been the one to freak out about actually being in Hollywood, California. Then again, Lily might just abandon her and go shopping.

No. Esme closed her eyes. She was alone. Utterly, completely . . . alone.

It wasn’t long before Esme gratefully snatched her carry-on from above and rushed toward the doors. The shakiness from the plane ride in her knees continued to throb, but as she moved toward the exit, she got a fresh gulp of California sea air . . . And it gave her courage. She grinned.

Hello, Cali.

"You hired her?" Jayme Sanders, the co-director of Unaccounted For, asked firmly, turning away from the window of the studio.

She’s fresh out of college, and I like her. Rex Ferrell relaxed further into his recliner to sip his black coffee, not at all concerned about going to greet the young actress who had just pulled up. He was the director of Unaccounted For, and a little too easygoing for Jayme’s liking. Also, his sharp Southern accent drove her insane.

Since when did ‘fresh out of college’ ever imply anything good? Jayme asked with eyebrow raised. She’s a poor substitute for Kaitlynn Maxton. Jayme frowned as she fixed her necklace, which had somehow gotten twisted up, probably when she had ran out the door to yell at Kaleb and Chris for lighting fireworks on the front yard of the studio. Was she the only one who was taking this whole ordeal seriously?

I can’t change the circumstances, Jayme, but I think this girl has got what it takes. Rex’s voice brought her back from her bitter thoughts of Chris and Kaleb.

You can’t hire some little girl from the Alaska boonies just ’cause you like her, Jayme said with her hands firmly planted on her hips.

Really? I didn’t read that in the instruction manual. Rex grinned as he fanned through the newspaper.

That’s because there is no instruction manual, she snapped matter-of-factly. He looked up at her with a broad smile.

Exactly.

Jayme groaned, flung open the door of the studio, and was momentarily blinded by the hot sunshine. After closing her eyes for a moment to adjust, she shut the door behind her and walked across the grounds to eye up the new Kayla Benfrix. Although not horribly bad looking, Esme Maynor wasn’t the picture Jayme had hoped for. Esme’s long blonde hair was quite pretty, and her stunning blue eyes could be recognized from even five feet away. She was slender and stood straight up, although she couldn’t be any taller than five feet. She wore jean capris, sandals, and a long-sleeved modest shirt. There was nothing flaunty about her, and this girl brought a strange atmosphere with her. Jayme didn’t appreciate that in people. She liked the people that she couldn’t see through. People who never displayed their feelings. This girl was too transparent. Too honest. Maybe even naïve. Not that Jayme didn’t mind kind people, but there was something about them that made her nervous. It suddenly occurred to her that she had already made a very detailed assumption of Esme’s character, without having even introduced herself. I’m so good.

Jayme walked up to the girl, who was digging around in her purse, and directly stopped in front of her. How could this girl be out of college? She looked like a high schooler. She had a small face, round eyes, and a natural touch of makeup.

I’m Jayme Sanders, the co-director. You must be Miss Izzie? Jayme mispronounced in fake oblivion. Esme looked up at her, at first with a frown of disappointment as if sad that this person didn’t know who she was. It was a common fault in newbies, their unrealistically high expectations of being famous in the first instant of getting a big movie, by chance. Then Esme seemed to return her eyes to her purse.

"Oh no, Miss, it’s pronounced Esmay. You wouldn’t happen to know where a convenience store is located, would you? Esme asked distractedly, not even slightly perturbed by Jayme’s rudeness. I need to buy some gum."

Chewing gum? Jayme squinted with an arched brow.

Uh yeah. Esme blushed. I have a slight addiction to Trident Strawberry Twist.

Jayme regained her posture.

You can shop later. Come this way. I’ll introduce you to the rest of the crew. Turning and walking through the dusty campsite, she could hear Esme attempting to keep up with her long strides. Jayme decided in that moment that she would do everything to leave this novice and entitled child in the dust. Where she belonged. No one should ever get to the top without having suffered up from the bottom first.

Boy, it sure is hot here. Compared to Alaska, I mean. Esme gasped with a laugh, and the softness of that laugh sent a tightness into Jayme’s neck and shoulders. She had to roll them to keep it cool.

Yes, well there’s probably AC in your camper, Jayme replied, sucking in a bored gulp of oxygen. Esme already talked too much for her liking.

Oh, I wasn’t complaining. Esme grinned radiantly, even though she was completely distracted by all of the tall RVs around them. I’m excited to get a tan.

Of course. Jayme stopped in front of a large silver RV. It had stained sides and an odd yellow-painted door. A green carpet was laid out in front of the steps so that a person entering could scrape the dirt off their shoes first. Jayme noted that Esme was staring at it in dismay, and she had to grunt in her throat.

I think they are all in there. This is Kaleb’s RV. He doesn’t believe in taking care of things. She stepped up onto the stairs and rapped on the tall door. Open up.

Esme silently stood behind her, her knee shaking violently. Hmm. Restless leg syndrome. Really nervous people often carried this hyper habit. So Esme isn’t perfect. Well, that’s good to know. Jayme impatiently knocked again, this time even harder. There really was no reason to be so pessimistic about the new Benfrix. It just perturbed her that everything had to be so last minute and unprofessional. And plain unfair.

Yeah? The door opened to reveal a tall nice-looking man who was probably twenty-seven or twenty-eight-years old. He had dark hair that swept over his brow and icy blue eyes, finished off by a masculine jawline. Wearing only designer clothing, of course. He looked at Jayme for a second and then leaned sideways to see the little lady behind her. Hello.

Hi. Esme smiled, waving.

This is the new Kayla Benfrix. Her name is Esme Maynor, from Alaska. Jayme introduced.

Oh no, no . . . I’m not actually from Alaska, she babbled. I was born in Tennessee. I just moved to Alaska when I was little. Esme’s eyes slowly shifted down to her sandals. Jayme and the man exchanged a look. Then he smiled and stepped down from the RV.

Hey, I’m Jayden. Welcome to California. He winked, shaking her hand firmly. His was so much larger than hers that her entire hand disappeared in his grip.

You’re . . . Jayden Michaels Kashar? She gasped.

That’s me. He glowed. Jayme lifted her chin with amusement slash disbelief. This girl hadn’t done her homework before hand. Everyone knew Jayden! He’d even won the title of Hollywood’s Favorite Guy.

I’m so sorry, she apologized, her eyes wide with embarrassment.

It’s okay, he assured with a shrug. I get that a lot . . . I mean, I am thirty-four.

Esme’s eyes widened as if shocked to hear that the stunning actor before her was actually that old. Granted, he did look like he was still in his midtwenties. Maybe it was because he stayed clean-shaven, but Jayme really didn’t know. All she wanted was to see how this cute naïve chick was going to fix her mistake.

I’m sorry, I mean . . . you don’t look thirty. Esme linked her fingers together and stood awkwardly, hope burning on her face—hoping she hasn’t just destroyed Jayden’s favor of her, probably.

Well, thanks. He looked at her with a short laugh. Esme shook her head with shame and stepped back a bit.

Sorry . . . I think that plane food may have done something to me. She giggled, somehow able to laugh at herself after that remark.

So have you been in other movies? This is a Hollywood production. Think you can handle it? Jayden asked curiously. Jayme scrunched her nose. Most definitely not.

I’ve been in smaller shows or movies but only short parts. I’m really thankful for this position in such a big undertaking. She shrugged her shoulders in an honest manner. Jayden looked a little shocked. Being invited to a big movie meant almost nothing to him. In fact, he’d turned down tons and tons of offers in his day. Esme, on the other hand, wasn’t deserving of the dirt she stood on. Jayden had worked to become an envy. Esme had just been handed the opportunity of a lifetime without ever having to break a sweat.

Of course. Jayden agreed simply. You’ll do fine. You’re cute, and that’s all that matters. He grinned. Esme froze, a smile tugging at the corners of her mouth as she decided what to make of that comment. Jayme grunted. It was usual for Jayden to start flirting at about this point.

All at once, three others came from the camper and filed in beside him. Oh, meet the rest of the cast. Jayden stretched out his hand to them. This is Adi Trusdale. I’m sure you’ve heard of her. He grinned, jabbing his thumb toward a slender twenty-nine-year-old woman a few feet to his left. She had a strong stance about her with dark-auburn curly hair and chocolate eyes. She was probably five foot five, and aside from the firm and intimidating gaze in her almond-shaped eyes, she was stunning. The first thing Jayme’s eyes shifted to, though, was the aquamarine necklace on her collarbone. It was small but unique.

Hello, you’re Esme Hayes Maynor? she suggested, shaking Esme’s hand politely.

Yes! Esme glowed with pride. This was no doubt the first person to actually recognize her. The only reason Adi knew this girl was Adi Trusdale always did her homework. She was a dedicated actress. Jayme liked Adi . . . mostly because she was absolutely gorgeous. Or maybe it wasn’t for that reason; maybe it was just jealousy.

And this is Christopher Kade. We just call him Chris. Jayden introduced the man at his right briefly.

Hello, Miss Maynor. He shook her hand firmly and flashed a friendly grin. Chris was almost as tall as Jayden. Though he had a nice tan with dark blond hair and forest-green eyes, everyone agreed he wasn’t as good-looking as Jayden Michaels Kashar. His features, though, gave him a similar appearance to that of the late Paul Walker. He had a scar down his left eyebrow that she hadn’t noticed before, and she wondered how he had gotten it. Jayme didn’t know a whole lot about Chris, just that he seemed to be an outdoor addict and, well, fairly muscular. And that he was another one of Rex’s impulse decisions for script characters.

Oh, my attendant is your aunt? Rachel Meews, right? Esme inquired curiously. She was thrilled to be working on the same ground as you.

Chris nodded, shoving his thumbs into the pockets of his khaki shorts. Since she arrived, my aunt Rachel hasn’t stopped talking about you.

Really? Concern fell in on her face.

Nothing but good things, Adi interjected with a small smile.

And this is Kaleb Max— Jayden cut himself short with a teasing grin. Sometimes, I think he’s more clown than actor.

Don’t listen to him. I’m perfectly normal. Kaleb smiled broadly, shaking her hand enthusiastically. His short spiked blond hair was rather a sight to behold. And his dark-chocolate eyes didn’t look like they belonged, but other than that, his friendly and extroverted appearance was appealing. He was much shorter than the other men. Although he seemed like a giant next to petite, little Esme Maynor.

These are just the main actors, Jayme included. You won’t have time to meet everyone.

I accept the challenge. Esme grinned and eyed up the three actors and actress before her. It was really nice meeting you all . . . I will need your advice as much as you are willing to give it to me. I’m only twenty, and this is my first real gig. She shrugged. Jayme frowned. Esme couldn’t have spent more than two years in college. She really was flat-out inexperienced. Nervousness burned in her throat, along with the putrid taste of jealousy.

Of course! Kaleb smiled excitedly. That sounds great. I remember my first gig as an actor—

We don’t have time for this story. Jayden cut his sentence short. We have to go in five minutes for the meeting with Rex Ferrell, and this story takes up about half a day.

That’s okay. Esme patted Kaleb’s shoulder and smiled. You’ll have to tell me that story sometime else.

Oh, don’t you worry. Chris chuckled. You won’t leave Cali ’till he gets the chance to tell you.

Chapter

Two

H ello, ya’ll. Rex grinned, his sharp Southern accent captivating her. It wasn’t a friendly grin as nearly as Esme could tell. It was a fear-striking hello that demanded respect. Something could be read in his royal-blue eyes, a determination and an impatience for perfection. I hope ya’ll read the pamphlets I sent to you, and if not, you will be up all night. It’s sort of like homework. He shrugged with a burdened sigh, raking through his gray hair with his long fingers. And I’m sure most of ya’ll would rather not return to middle school.

Kaleb stabbed Jayden’s side with a pencil, and he batted it down, trying to hide his laughter. It was a little hard to concentrate with those two goofing around since they were right in front of her. Esme sat up straighter to see above the heads of people. There were at least two hundred at the scene. She could not help the nervous butterflies racing around in her stomach. Boy, would she have given almost anything to have a pack of Strawberry Twist to munch on. Chewing gum always seemed to help her relax. Calm down, Es. It’s okay. As much as she told herself that, it didn’t seem to help much. She forced herself to close her eyes and focus on Rex’s personality. He would surely help her if she needed it. He knew she was a novice, didn’t he?

Rex seemed like a fair man, he was down-to-earth, and Esme liked that. She appreciated that she could tell if he liked someone or didn’t. It was easy to detect if he was happy or upset. He wasn’t complicated, and he was devoted. Yeah, he definitely had some dark spots. When she had tried out for this part a few months ago, he had gotten really upset at one lady who came into the audition with her dog and was half drunk. Of course, no one could really blame him, but she had seen a dark side. Esme’s audition was right after that one. So when she walked in, she was a little nervous and quiet. But when he saw her, he smiled, and she knew instantly that he liked her.

You have a gift . . . So if I accept you, it may be for no other reason than just for that smile you have.

Those words were a reminder on her heart constantly. And from that day, she smiled boldly and all of the time. She did see that people were taken back by the smile she gave them no matter what, and she liked it. They were startled by a joyful attitude. Especially that Jayme Sanders character. She was just bad news waiting to happen.

We start filming next week. Yup, that’s right. The preparation is almost done. So in the meantime, read your lines as I’m hoping you have since I gave them to you ten months ago. Get your costume manager on board with you and practice your part. There is one exception . . . Rex turned to Esme, and embarrassment spread down her spine. All eyes shifted to her, and she gripped the sides of her lawn chair anxiously. As ya’ll know, our previous Kayla Benfrix is no longer involved. We had to get ahold of our second best choice, Miss Esme Hayes Maynor. She’s had much less time to study her lines . . . But she’s a quick learner. He smiled, but Esme’s heart did a backflip. Second choice? Rachel had never said anything about there being a first Kayla Benfrix. Her thoughts went a thousand directions in one second, and