The Black Rose

By Tanya Payne

It was 1984, October 21, ten days before Halloween. Salem, Massachusetts, would never be the same. One young girl from Salem High School took it upon herself to solve as terrifying a crime as she would ever face. What she discovered was beyond her worst nightmare.

The horror began on the night of October 20. The first body was found next to an old abandoned church. The body was of a young woman. She had been beheaded, probably from being accused of witchcraft, and next to the decomposing body lay a black rose. But what did it mean?

Two more young girls vanished the next night. Their bodies were also found next to old abandoned churches. They were also beheaded, and a black rose was left beside each body. There was a serial killer at work.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Apr 14, 2022
• ISBN: 9781639038060

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The Black Rose

Tanya Payne

ISBN 978-1-63903-805-3 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63903-806-0 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Tanya Payne

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Table of Contents

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 1

It was 1984, October 21, ten days before Halloween. Salem, Massachusetts, would never be the same. One young girl from Salem High School took it upon herself to solve as terrifying a crime as she would ever face. What she discovered was beyond her worst nightmare.

The horror began on the night of October 20. The first body was found next to an old abandoned church. The body was of a young woman. She had been beheaded, probably from being accused of witchcraft, and next to the decomposing body laid a black rose. But what did it mean?

Two more young girls vanished the next night. Their bodies were also found next to old abandoned churches. They were also beheaded, and a black rose was left beside each body. There was a serial killer at work.

*****

My name is Tanisha, and I am seventeen. My mother and I did not get along, so I decided to move to Salem, Massachusetts, to live with my aunt. She had the reputation of being a witch, but I was not afraid. It was October 22, nine days before Halloween. My mom dropped me off at the National Airport in Columbus, Ohio. I was on the ten-thirty flight that morning. The flight attendant showed me to my seat, and I sat down. The seat belt sign flashed to put on our seat belts. The plane began entering the runway. The pilot came over the intercom, telling us how long the flight would be. It will be three hours and thirty-five minutes. Enjoy your flight. The stewardess will show you safety procedures, and over the top of your seats is an oxygen mask. We may experience a little bit of turbulence during our flight. Your seats can be used as a flotation device in case of an accidental plane crash.

Now, why did he have to say that?

The plane began its lift-off, and we were headed for the sky. I don’t know why I took a window seat, but I did. I sat looking out the window. The higher we got, the smaller and smaller the ground got. The people looked like ants. We finally reached the sky. I asked my neighbor how high up we were—at least thirty-five thousand feet. I began praying. The movie was Police Academy; maybe it will ease my mind.

The stewardess was passing out menus for the evening meal. I asked her to bring me a Dr Pepper to drink. She did, and her name was Brandy, just like the singer. The dinner menu was fried chicken, mashed potatoes, green beans, and a roll, gravy extra. I thought that sounded good. They also had cheeseburgers and fries. They even served alcohol, wow, even made mixed drinks like Margaritas. It felt like I was on this plane for hours. The stewardess brought my meal. I ate and then took a short nap. Hopefully when I wake up, we will be landing. I slept for almost an hour.

When I woke up, there was an old woman sitting next to me. She looked like Elvira in drag, and she took my hand and looked deeply into my eyes. What is your name, my dear?

It’s Tanisha, I answered. My mother and I couldn’t get along, so I decided to move to Salem to live with my aunt.

I can sense a power in you, she said.

What kind of power? I asked.

You’re Gothic. Tanisha, you will face your worst nightmare, but you’re a strong one. You can face anything.

I looked at her like she was crazy. Was she talking about my aunt? I was going to a state where they held the witch trials; it’s a wonder why they didn’t get my aunt. She