Chapter 05: A Cornered Snake

Alexa swiftly ducked behind a large plant sitting in the corner of the hall. “MELISSA!” Gavin cried in shock as he looked down at the unconscious body of his baby sister. Lifting her from the floor, he hurried her inside his apartment and shut the door.

Alexa let out a sigh of relief. As she turned for the stairs, she could hear two voices inside; one distinctly feminine. Alexa waited a moment longer before quietly exiting to the alley and Kasper’s awaiting car. “You get her squared away?” he asked with a hint of disdain.

“Yeah, all good. Let’s go.”

Chapter 05: On the Prowl

“Who are the people in this picture?” Gavin asked, shaking the image emphatically in front of Mary’s face.

“Lyric’s family.”

“No, I know that. I mean…what are their names?”

“I’m sorry, I don’t…”

“Where are they? How can I get in contact with them? Are they still in town? Where do they live? Was Hannah abandoned by…?”

Chapter 05: Goes Unpunished

“Police are asking for your help locating two suspects who may have been involved with the events that took place Wednesday near the St. Claire Civic Center. These sketches were taken of two individuals seen fleeing the area just moments after an unidentified man was brutally gunned down on the corner of Market and Parke. If you have any information or know the identity of these individuals, please contact the St. Claire Police Department at the number provided on the screen.”

Chapter 05: Nightmares

—Brooklyn Heights – 1999—Age 9

“Daddy, I’m scared.”

“Shh! I know, Lyric, but you have to be very quiet, baby, can you do that?”

“I’ll try,” she shook her head and squeezed her legs tighter against her chest.

“That’s my big girl. I have to go and get your brothers. Now you stay down, and no matter what you hear, you don’t leave this closet. Understand?”

“I understand.” Sinking down to the floor, Lyric closed her eyes and tried her best to find a happy place; her 7^th birthday party on the sandy shores of Turtle Creek. Running on the beach with her brother Echo and building sandcastles with Blaze.

Chapter 05: Can’t Hurt Them

*Author’s note: This chapter is dreadfully long...sorry! You ask “Did I really need to include the court case?” And I answer: “Yes. Yes I did.” You can skim or skip it really. You won’t miss anything pertinent to the main story. I just couldn’t stop writing so...yeah.*

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“Did you hear me, Hannah?” Travis asked, placing the folder face up on her desk.

She stared at the black file a moment trying to make sense of what was going on. The State’s Attorney had just walked into her office and personally handed her a case. Having just come off a win, she was already abuzz with excitement as to where she’d go next. But this was unprecedented and she was stumped trying to figure out the catch. “I’m sorry, sir,” she replied, suddenly zoning back into the conversation. “You want me to what?”