Cryptic Messages

By Urfunsizemami

Shelly Downes, a quiet, shy, high school student in her senior year, wishing that the most isses she had to worry about was, which University she was going to choose in the coming fall.

 

But no! Shelly gets more than that, when she is suddenly being targeted with cryptic messsages. Frantically racing to find out who is targeting her, with the help of her parents and the investigative team in Arcata, California. 

Will they be able to save Shelly from the sinister threats and increasing violence before it's too late?

 

Just how far will it go?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Urfunsizemami
• Release date: Nov 26, 2023
• ISBN: 9798223024682

Book preview

Lisa Guerrero

ABOUT:

Just when you think you know where this story is heading, I promise, you will have NO idea! This story will come at you, completely out of left field, but somehow be in your faces all along. Giving you just enough, leaving you on the edge of your seats in suspense following Shelly Downes a quiet, shy young high school student, in her senior year wishing that the most issues she had to worry about was which university she was going to choose in the coming fall. But no! Shelly gets more than that when she is suddenly being targeted with cryptic messages.

Just how far will it go?

Will you be able to piece together the clues hidden within the pages to see who was behind it all? Or my friends, will this story leave you surprised, gasping at the conclusion??

Take this journey with me if you dare, the twists, the turns, the many hills, and valleys that intertwine the dark twisted road that lies ahead here held together in this twisted story, for it will consume you!

INTRODUCTION:

Shelly Downes a quiet, shy, student in her senior year of high school, sits quietly in the library when suddenly her phone vibrates next to her stack of books. She picks it up, looks at the phone and her eyes are now wide with fear. She looks around to see if anyone is in the library with her that perhaps could have sent her this message. Why me? Why would anyone want to send me this message? Shelly puts her phone down, thinking it must have been a mistake, and goes right back to studying. This was clearly no mistake, as Shelly will soon begin to realize.

CHAPTER 1: GETTING TO KNOW SHELLY DOWNES

Shelly Downes, brown hair, blue eyes, tall skinny athletic young woman from Arcata, California. She plans to attend a university to get her degree to become a Lawyer, just unsure as to which firm she wants to represent. She comes from a long line of attorneys, her dad Paul Downes Jr. is a very high-profile Criminal Attorney, her mom Lauren Downes, a very successful Divorce Attorney. Shelly’s grandfather, Paul Downes Sr. a very successful Injury Attorney as was her grandmother Colleen Downes. Her grandmother, from her mom’s side, Clarista Floyd was a very prominent attorney that handled Intellectual Property with her Estate Firm until she retired. Her mom’s dad, Scott Floyd was a very successful Malpractice Attorney until he retired recently and they both up and moved to Florida enjoying their retirement. Shelly had a younger brother, Daniel Downes, he was 14, she had an older brother Mark Downes, who at 23 was attending school to become a Tax Attorney. No matter what, being an attorney was just something passed down from generation to generation.

The Downes, lived very comfortably, they wanted for nothing, and had more than enough. They donated money to the schools, the hospitals, they were avid church goers and donated many items often as well as volunteer at their church. They made sure to go to all their children’s events, never allowing work to be their first priority.

Shelly was into Volleyball and Lacrosse, she even played Basketball and was pretty good. Shelly had many friends, in fact she was friends with pretty much anyone, she was so easy going and laid back, it was easy to get along with her. Shelly was dating Max Sheffer, a tall dark and super athletic jock, he dabbled in all sports, he was planning on attending University as an Education Attorney. Shelly and Max had planned on going to separate colleges to give each other space, to find themselves and not feel smothered by each other. Anyone who knows about long distance relationships, knows just how hard they can be and how they can be taxing on anyone’s mental health from worrying and stressing from trust issues and some just don’t make it. Shelly and Max were determined to make it, no matter how hard things became they wanted to be the exception to the rule.

Shelly’s best friend, Carter Spence, inseparable since preschool, often would stay over long periods of times at Shelly’s because Carter’s parents were both Pilots and were gone a lot. So even though Shelly was the only girl, it was as if she had a sister in Carter more than just a best friend. Carter and Shelly had planned on going to university together. Carter wanting to become a Bankruptcy Attorney, as she had seen all the troubles her grandparents faced when they lost everything they worked for when they fell on hard times and having to move into Carter’s parents’ house to make ends meet. Both still having to work every single day, to get a head on all the bills that they accrued during the time they had to wait filing bankruptcy.

Carter being the only child, loved spending time at Shelly’s house. That was her second home, she felt more home there than in her own home. Shelly was an all-A student and was on the Distinguished Honor Roll each quarter. Everything in her life was just as it should have been, she was excelling in school, sports and got accepted into her college of her choice with a full scholarship.

Everything except some cryptic messages...

CHAPTER 2: STUDYING AT THE LIBRARY

Shelly went to the library, where she often found studying to be more relaxing there than her own home. As she sipped on her Iced Coffee, she waited for Max to get there so she can help him study for his Biology Test. She sat studying her books, jotting down notes as she flipped the pages, suddenly her phone vibrates next to her stack of books. She picks it up, looks at the phone and her eyes are now wide with fear. She looks around to see if anyone is in the library with her that perhaps could have sent her this message.

Anonymous: I see you, keep sipping bitch be sure not to choke on that coffee!!

Why me? Why would anyone want to send me this message? Shelly puts her phone down, thinking it must have been a mistake, and goes right back to studying, and waiting for Max to show up. Where is he? Another buzz vibrates the phone, scaring her causing her to jump and almost spill her iced coffee. She looks at her phone.

Anonymous: You can’t fool me, you will be exposed, scared yet? You should be!

Shelly looks up, looks around, seeing if anyone could be behind these messages. No one out of the ordinary and Max was nowhere to be found, he was running late per usual, he would be late to his very own funeral. Maybe it was Max she thought, surely, he loved playing pranks on her. Then came another text, this time it was from Max.

Max: running l8t babe, see you in a few mins, stopping to get gas, want ne thing?

Shelly sat smiling, awe Max always thought of her, making her feel special. She texts back:

Shelly: no thank you I have my iced coffee here, just waiting for you, you’re late Max, see you when you get here, now stop texting me and hurry up.

She hits send and gets no response back, she looks around again, and then goes back to studying. Max sneaks in behind her, covers her eyes and gives her a quick kiss on the cheek. She blushes, jumps up to hug him, she holds him taking in his scent of syrup and cologne. Shelly, what’s the matter? You look like you’ve seen a ghost? Shelly wasn’t sure if it was Max messing with her or not, so she tells Max about getting the anonymous text messages. Did you send them, because they’re not funny? Max looks at her phone messages, Shelly, I swear to you, this isn’t me, I wouldn’t pull a prank on you like this.

It was clear that someone was messing with her, Max, what if someone got the wrong number? That could happen right Shelly was trying to make sense of this, there’s no way that anyone would purposely send her these messages, she got along with everyone, she had no enemies. Max held Shelly and looks into her eyes, Shelly, I’m hoping that it’s a mistake, but if you get another message, you need to let your parents know, ok? He kissed her forehead, she looked up still nervous, kissed him, ok Max, I promise, you ready to study? Max sighed heavily, yes, I need to study for this Biology test in order to keep my scholarship to attend University, I can’t have this added stress on my parents’ shoulders, Shells so yes please help me study. They begin to study, taking notes, Shelly quizzes Max on the Biology pre quiz sheet, he was so smart, just lazy sometimes when it came to studying and turning in assignments on time.

Shelly’s phone begins to vibrate, she looks at Max and then looks back at her phone, picks it up and turns white again. Max peers over to look at her screen.

Anonymous: No one can stop me Shelly, no one! This is NOT a mistake.

CHAPTER 3: TELLING SHELLY’S PARENTS

As tears strolled down her face, she snuggled her face into Max’s chest Max, I thought the messages were from you, I thought you were messing with me. Clearly, they’re meant for me, this person called me by name. Max looks around, it could be anyone, everyone had a cell phone, and everyone was on it or a laptop. Shelly, you need to show your parents this, you never know what or who this could be.

They agreed to call it a night, Shelly quickly grabs her things and heads for the door, Max right beside her, walks her to her car, opens her door and gives her a kiss, I’ll follow you home, ok? Shelly looks around the parking lot and hugs Max one last time. Ok, I love you, I’ll call my parents when I get in the car, to let them know that we need to talk to them and that I’m on my way. She settles into her car and Max closes the car door, blows her a kiss and heads to his car, afraid of what is to come. He gets in his car and starts it up, following Shelly to her house to be there to support her when she shows her parents the texts. If anyone can get to the bottom of this, it would definitely be Shelly’s parents.

They arrive at Shelly’s house, they get out of their car, walk up to each other, grab hands, breathe, and quickly kiss, walking hand in hand towards the house ready to face whatever they find out.

As the door opens, they’re greeted by the Downes dog, Brownie. He jumps up in excitement to see Shelly and Max. They pet him, wagging his tail happily, wanting to play.

Mom, Dad, we’re here, where are you guys?

Shelly, we’re in the den, come on in, is Max here with you? Lauren shouts as Max gently pats Brownie on the head and follows Shelly to the den.

Shells, what’s the matter baby girl? Paul Jr. asks Shelly coming in for a hug, then shakes Max’s hand. I’ve been getting texts; they are coming through anonymously. I have no idea who it could be, I thought it was Max, but it’s not him, I was getting them when Max arrived at the library. She hands her dad the phone as they both look at the messages, Paul Jr. hands the phone to Lauren as he looks up at Max and Shelly then back over to the phone that Lauren was now holding asking, Shell, can you think of anyone that would want to see you hurt?

Shelly was well liked, she got along with everyone, why would she have any enemies?

Mom, Dad, I am clueless, I don’t have anyone that I can think of, that would want to mess with me like this, it’s freaking me out! They all just look at one another, in what seems like forever as Paul Jr. looks up and stares at Max, Max, how about you? You know anyone that could want to hurt Shelly to get at you?

Max was stunned at the question, thought long and hard. Sir, I don’t think so, no one comes to mind.

The room was quiet for a few minutes, besides the panting of Brownie, Shelly, I’m going to make a few calls, do you mind leaving your phone here with me so I can do some digging? Finally, Paul Jr. breaks the long silence as Shelly pats Brownie’s head, sure dad, I can use my laptop to finish studying, is it ok if Max hangs out? We kinda left the library early because of the creepy messages?

Brownie jumps up and licks Shelly in the face, she giggles, Paul Jr. says yeah that’s fine but don’t be too late, okay?

Shelly nods as she and Max head out of the formal den upstairs to her room to finish studying. Paul Jr. and Lauren begin their research and make a few phone calls to their forensics colleagues telling them about the messages Shelly’s been receiving. They are given information on exactly what to do in order to look into Shelly’s phone to attempt to pinpoint the location and find out who this person sending the messages is discovered. They both end their calls, Paul Jr. swings around in his chair and grabs Lauren by the waist, pulls her in and kisses her, this can’t be good Lauren, who would want to hurt our baby girl? Lauren looks down at him, lovingly, concern growing on her face, Paulie honey, we will get to the bottom of this, let’s hope nothing else comes from this and no more messages come through. Max and Shelly enter the den room and knock on the doorway frame, Mom, Dad, we’re finished, Max is heading out and wanted to say bye. Do you need my cell phone any longer?

Paul Jr. gets up and heads over to Max, puts his hand on his shoulder Max, thanks for getting her home safe, I hope you pass the test tomorrow, good luck kid! Shells you can have your phone back, but I just want to let you know that I have a buddy of mine that will be hacking into the phone, doing some work to find out who and where this person is sending you messages. Listen kids, if anything, anything at all comes up out of the ordinary you need to let me know, ok? Shelly and Max shake their heads in agreeance as Max steps forward and shakes Paul Jr’s. hand and leans forward and gives Lauren a hug, Have a goodnight, guys, if anything at all comes up or happens, I will be sure to let you know. Paul Jr. hands Shelly her phone and gives her a hug, she walks Max out and stands in the doorway as they are about to say their goodbyes, when all of a sudden, a black shadow caught Max’s eye, and another vibration goes off on Shelly’s phone. As Max leans in to kiss Shelly, he moves his finger to his mouth whispers to Shelly shhh..I think someone is here, I just seen a black shadow move from the driveway. They both freeze and brace themselves for what they are about to see. Paul Jr. opens the door to the house peering his head out the doorway.

Everything good out here Shells? he looks at Shelly and then at Max, who looks as if they had just seen a ghost. Dad, I think someone is in our driveway, Max just seen someone or something I don’t know, moving out of the corner of his eye. Can you please go check it out? Max’s car is out there, and he’s got to get going we have school in the morning, and he has to be home to help his dad before it gets too late. Paul Jr. pops his head back inside, Lauren dear, stay put and can you pull up our surveillance footage, Max and Shelly said they’ve seen someone on our property moving through the driveway, can you check on that while I take a look around outside? Lauren wastes no time and gets right on searching through their footage. There is nothing being recorded, their live feed was stopped and disconnected late last night. Why hasn’t the surveillance company have alerted us about this?

Paul Jr. closes the door, stay here kids. Don’t move, I’m going to go check around, mom is checking with the security company trying to figure out what happened to the footage and why it was stopped late last night. Hang tight, ok? Shelly and Max stand holding each other looking on after Paul Jr. be careful dad! Shelly says quietly to herself, also loud enough for Max to hear her. Max looks down at Shelly, he’s always careful Shelly, he’s an attorney remember? smiles and kisses her forehead looking on as Paul Jr. continues to search his property for the trespasser Max thought he had seen. Lauren opens the door, Shelly and Max jump startled by the noise of the door opening. Shelly holds her chest and lets out a scream, ahhhh, mom, you scared me! Shelly is practically on top of Max now in fear, soon realizing how silly she looks when she realizes it’s just her mom and not a trespasser. Oh, I’m sorry Shells, where’s your father? Our video surveillance footage was cut off late last night. We were never alerted; it was cut off internally. As Lauren finishes telling Shelly the news she discovered, Paul Jr. runs towards them. Has he found someone, or has someone found him and he’s trying to escape? I came running as soon as I heard Shelly scream, what happened? Paul says out of breath. Shelly looks at Max, Max looks at Lauren. Paulie dear, we have no live footage as of last night. Our connection has been cut, we were never alerted, we didn’t get any notifications. Paulie, someone could very well have been here in our home, I’m on hold now trying to get the someone on the phone that can figure out what is going on. Why has our service been disconnected Paulie? It makes no sense.

Paul Jr. looks on nervous and begins to get angry, angry at the situation that he feels so helpless right now, he has no answers for his family nothing to go on to keep his daughter safe from harm. Ok this has gone on for way too long now, we have to figure out what is going on with the surveillance being disconnected. Lauren dear you’re on that right? Lauren nods her head as she is currently on the phone with the surveillance company tech support lead pacing back and forth on the front porch.  Paul continues, I didn’t find anything or anyone, I can’t say if anyone was here or not Shells, I’m sorry. Lauren finishes up with the call, standing out staring into space, as if looking for some answers, like it would somehow magically appear before her. Paulie, their doing an investigation, it could be a mistake, or a glitch in their system. They told us to hold tight, they would be looking into this and getting back to us within the hour.

It was no mistake, the disconnection was all part of the plan, just not the Downes plan.

CHAPTER 4: MORE MESSAGES MORE PROBLEMS

Max and Shelly stood frozen in that moment, staring blankly at the phone in Shelly’s hand that now just vibrated so loudly breaking the silence. Neither of them wanted to move. Neither of them wanted to see any more messages. The messages they have received so far were just too much for them to handle. They seriously can’t keep getting these messages anymore, something has to be done! Who is this ANONYMOUS!? What did they want with Shelly?

Anonymous: Bitch, you think daddy and mommy dearest can help you? You think you can find me?? You have no clue who the fuck I am and what I’m capable of doing...Max you drive safe now I wouldn’t want anything happening to you on your way home!!

Shelly slams her fist down hard on the door, Mom, Dad, look!! Lauren and Paul Jr. rush over to Shelly standing against the front door, where Shelly stood slumped against the door. Max looking around outside again seeing if anything looked out of place or out of the ordinary, someone, something. Paul Jr. and Lauren take the phone and look at the message. Listen Max, I don’t want you driving home, in case this person messed with your car, I’ll grab my keys and take you home. I’ll call the mechanics in the morning and see if they can take a look at your car and make sure nothing was tampered with since you had it parked in the driveway for a bit, I’d rather be safe than sorry, you know? You never know in situations like this what is going through a person’s mind. Give me a second, I’m going to call my friend and see if he was able to get information on where these texts are coming from and who. Paul Jr. walks over to the walkway and Lauren stands there hugging Shelly with a hand on Max’s shoulder. I’m so sorry guys, I wish I had more answers for you, I don’t understand why someone would be wanting to harm you and now threaten Max and our cameras not working. We’ll need to make a police report, so they are aware of this issue, and try to get more help on board to figure this mess out. Don’t tell anyone, you got it? This stays quiet so that no one gets wind of it. Understand? They nod, Shelly’s eyes tearing up, mom, whoever this is now knows where we live, has access to our cars this is not funny anymore, it’s now passed the point of being a joke or prank, mom.  Honey, at this point, we have to believe that this is not a prank, there is dangerous now for you and for Max, someone is out to hurt you, or him, or both, but I will not rest until I find out who is behind this and they will pay, you hear me Shells, I promise you that I will protect you as long as I have breath in my body.

Tears strolling down Shelly’s face and Lauren wiping her own tears, Paul Jr. walks back around to the porch, Max, you ready to go? Paul Jr. hugs and kisses Lauren and gives Shelly a kiss on the forehead, stay inside, don’t go outside, keep the phone on and charge in case anymore messages come through, our buddy is looking into this, ok? First thing tomorrow morning we must head to the precinct and make a formal cyber complaint with their team so that we can get more resources working with us to find out who is behind these messages. Max says his goodbyes and gets into Paul Jr’s car, they drive off in complete silence as to what just unfolded. Sir, can you please let me know what they say about my car? I have a game and I need to drive because I have work afterwards so I can’t ride the bus home with the team. Paul Jr. nods, sure will kid, I’ll wait here to make sure you get in safe before I take off, okay? Max shakes his hand and gets out heading to his door, he stops because he heard rustling in the bushes, looks back at Paul Jr. and waves, looks around one last time and heads inside and locks the door. Paul Jr. heads back home, why is this happening, why would anyone target Shelly. Paul Jr. knew that no matter what he would get to the bottom of it. He was the best high profile Criminal Attorney in Arcata, California after all.

All Shelly could think about as Max and her dad had left the house, was who could have been doing this to her? It could seriously be anyone, anyone wanting to take anything and everything she has good going for her. It’s like the curse of Shelly, when things are going so great, BAM, knocked down hard to only have to fight even harder to just get back up and keep going again. Despite working so hard her whole life to be nice and polite to everyone, having everything she’s ever wanted and more yet always willing to give or lend a helping hand. It wasn’t good enough, because despite it all, still someone, somewhere wanted to hurt Shelly. They badly wanted her to lose and maybe even with her very own life. She has faced so much with almost losing the scholarship that got her into her top pick Law Firm when the incident with Max and Sicilly went down. How Shelly got thrown into the mix of all the chaos was besides her, she was just glad that Max and she were able to work things out between the two of them. Shelly and Max had such history, such chemistry, it was hard to deny that to anyone that had seen them together. No matter what Shelly thought, she knew one thing was for sure that as long as her dad was involved with the investigation, it was sure to have a rewarding ending for the Downes, and she instantly felt sorry for whomever was sending her the cryptic anonymous messages.

CHAPTER 5: REPORT AND