⭐⭐ Cherrywood was a quiet area in a some what small town. You still had to lock your doors and keep an eye out at times. Though nothing ever occurred here. Until this year had begun, everything suddenly changed. Girls began to disappear little by little. Ranging from 14-27, they were so young and full of life. So easily taken away without so much as a second thought. Families grieved and flyers were posted. To no avail, were their babies brought home to their loving arms again. Many girls of which, now roam the earth lost. How can you move on, from such tragedy? He stepped out from the unruly row of bushes. His gray snake like eyes watching with interest. Masculine hands hidden in deep coat pockets. Thoughts roaming his head like a dark cloud. Keys were jingled in the door knob. Then a feminine hand quickly tugged the knob. She made sure to check that it was locked. The diner had closed early that night. Four hours after the cute guy left her table. She thought about the twenty dollar tip he left her. Her lips curved in to a smile, " I hope he comes by again, or at least calls. ", She mumbled to herself with a giggle. Her thoughts were interrupted by a rustle near by. She shifted nervously and turned to look over. If only Jed had closed up tonight. It would have made her job easier. There was nothing there when she looked. Her light brown eyes drifted to the keys in her hand. The biggest key, she forced between her middle and ring finger. There were creeps out there, for that she knew. The light click of her dark red heels sounded against the ground. She lived a few blocks down, it wouldn't take her long. Or so she thought to herself. A heavy set of footsteps followed her quickening pace. She stopped for a second to turn and look over her shoulder. Brown eyes searching for the creeper. Once again, there was nothing. Just silence and the smell of rain. She frowned in worry and tugged her light fur trimmed coat closer. Warmth escaping from beneath and leaving the cold air in. She shivered and bit her lip. " Look, I'm not interested! So bug off creep! ", She stated in an acid tone, walking forward again. Even if there was no one there. She could feel it in her bones, the presence. The presence of someone that didn't belong. The footsteps were repeated again behind her. Just as she turned to yell at the offender. A hand was slapped over her mouth. A kitchen knife stabbed in to her stomach. The sudden blow drew all air out of her lungs. " It's not nice to talk to people like that. Maybe you need to learn some manners. ", A harsh voice whispered in her right ear. Jenny fought to catch her breath and shove off the attacker. She knew she wasn't crazy, she felt it. He was watching her from afar, stalking her. A sob and whimper left her lips muffled. Tears poured from her eyes like a fountain. Hands flew to her wounded and bleeding stomach. The knife's blade slid out. She felt the Blake's sharp edge cut against her fingers. He grabbed her ponytail and forced her head back. The knife from before, slid across her neck 1/4th of the way. Then he proceeded to drag her towards the woods. Fortunately for him, the woods surrounded the town and highways. She fought against him, clawing at his arms and face. She got a swift kick in the knee on him. Then she found herself face first in the dirt. A heavy boot collided with her stomach. A sudden gasp of air left her lips. The pain flowing through her like a torrent. She shook violently and placed a hand over her stomach. Forced herself on to her side to catch her breath. The night stalker rolled his eyes and reached down to grab her legs, " I'll have fun with you, then it's cutting time. Your a pretty one compared to the last one I had. I don't fancy red heads too much. Maybe that's why I never got married to my ex. ", He retorted with a chuckle, dragging her further back. Jenny groaned and shifted to get on to her back. The rocks and pieces of wood cut in to her new jacket and her scalp. She caught her breath and let out an ear piercing scream. She would fight with every bit of strength in her. It seemed to enrage him greatly. Shortly after her interruption, he dropped her legs. Silver gray eyes narrowed. How could he enjoy the hunt, if the prey continued interrupting. He hated it! He moved to slap her across the face. She felt her head get jolted to the side. Taking the open opportunity to kick him in the throat. A gurgle left his mouth. She sobbed loudly and quickly turned over to scramble to her feet. Trees caught on to her jacket as she made a run for it. It was life or death, she slipped off her jacket. A hand held over her stomach and breath coming out in gasps. She ran back towards the direction of the diner. There were car lights on in the parking lot. Perhaps Jed decided to stop by. He probably figured she'd forget to lock up. He never held faith in her, she swore. Though he was her last hope now. She stumbled and fought to get out of the line of trees. Successfully she emerged from the woods, " JED!!! ", She hollered out to him, her face dirty and tear streaked. It seemed the person was about to emerge from the car. Her heart leapt in hope and excitement. She would be saved from the maniac after all! A sharp object slammed in to her shoulder blade. It cut through the blonde like paper. She collapsed down on to her knees in shock. The warm liquid, trailed down her back. Her pink and white waitress outfit now stained crimson. Front and back wounds visible. She reached out a hand towards the car. A cry of anguish escaping her. She didn't want to die, she screamed it over and over in her head. Her fingers grabbed at the ground. The night stalker growled angrily and grabbed her by the ponytail. He couldn't believe, for such a young girl. She gave quite a fight against him. He ignored her sobbing and crying, pulling her away by the hair. Her fingernails scraped against the ground. Chipping and breaking off, blood escaping the inner skin beneath the nail. A man stepped out from his car. His short brown hair and slightly muscular build gave him a taller look from afar. He squinted in the darkness, " Jenny?! Is that you? ", He called back with curiosity. With no answer back, he shrugged his shoulders and got back in. She would be there bright and early to open the place up. For now he'd go back home and get some shut eye. The car revved out of the parking lot. Tire marks left behind in it's wake. Jenny screamed several times until her throat became hoarse. She begged for her life, pleading desperately. Her scalp burned from him pulling her a long by her hair. Heart pounding against her chest in cold fear. He ignored her protesting and continued dragging her toward a wooden cabin off towards the deep right. Windows were cracked, some broken and dirty. The place looked abandoned and dark with no light. He pulled her to a stop on the front porch steps. Belt removed from his pants to tie around her wrists. She clawed at his hands and face again. " NO!!! NOO!!! DON'T DO THIS TO ME! PLEASE! ", She screamed at him tearfully. He batted away her hands and shoved a cloth in her mouth. The taste of gasoline like poison on her tongue. Her sobs and screams muffled now. He dragged her in to the cabin and slammed the door shut. No one could hear the sounds of lashing. Nor the frightened screams of a young girl.
❄❄⛅❄❄ Detective Monroe took the frantic call that morning. She was woken from her deep sleep at 7:15am. The sound of a young chief of police's voice breathy on the other line. She groaned as he filled her in on the details. He had only just been promoted to chief a week ago, " Alright Dave, I'm coming. Giver twenty minutes. ", She replied grudgingly and slammed the phone down on the receiver. Amy had been missing for nearly two weeks now. No sign of her still, and the blood hounds couldn't pick up much of a trace either. Now she was called in to work. For a new missing person. People were falling dead like flies in a gas tank. She groggily stepped towards the bathroom to get a quick shower and pull on her black slacks, blue dress shirt with her velvet coat and boots. It was starting to get cold out. The rain from the night before having dragged it in. She shuddered after her shower and gazed at her reflection in the mirror. Bags and dark circles framed the bottom area of her eyes. She had been lacking sleep. When she finally did get sleep, only nightmares came. Everything was bit by bit, crashing down on her and running her through the dirt. A tear escaped her eye, followed by another. She sunk down to the blue tiled floor. The cold surface gave her little comfort. She sobbed softly and hid her face in her hands. Detective Bonridge was already on the scene. His left hand moving swiftly with a pen over a small note pad. He was in deep conversation with a young man that looked shaken up. He nodded at the gentleman and padded his shoulder. Then quickly dismissed him from the conversation. He turned to glance at the woods behind. His deep blue eyes studying them for some kind of answer to his questions. A blur of brown and black caught his sight at the corner of his eye. He turned to see Detective Monroe, talking to one of the cops. She had her hair down and around her shoulders. He couldn't get a good look of her face. Her stance was tense and defensive. He frowned and turned to head over. The cop speaking to her, looked up and quietly ended any conversation with her. Then proceeded to get his partner to leave back to the station. Jack ran a hand through his hair, " Good morning b-" " Cut the crap and tell me what I haven't heard already, Detective. ", She snapped at him. " Well then...So we have a young waitress who didn't show up for work. She was expected here at 6:40am to open up the place. Never showed up and her keys were found a good distance away from the diner. No sign of her, no one saw her since her shift last night. " " Hm..where were the keys found? In which exact spot? ", She inquired professionally and let him lead her over to the spot. She calculated the distance from the diner to the spot, in her head. Her eyes drifted towards the woods. It stood a close distance from the keys. She ignored any further curious comments from Jack. Her feet moving quickly over to the edge of the woods. She inspected the ground, searching for any broken branches or foot marks. She knew when there was foul play involved. There were no tire marks around to indicate a kidnapping by car. Though she wouldn't exactly rule it out yet either. Small white chips of something stood out against the black gravel near the dirt. She kneeled down to look closer. Her stomach turned uneasily. Fingernails. She called Jack over to take a look at her findings. Not having to spell it out for him. He was a good detective with high intelligence. Jack hovered over and inspected the nails and the area, " Foul play is involved and the person didn't go willingly. ", He stated monotone. Elizabeth didn't wait for his conclusion. She stepped around it and moved in towards the woods. A hand grasped her wrist to stop her. " Liz! Where are you going? We don't know what were walking in to-" " Call for back up. The trail is fresh still, the longer we wait. The less chance we have to find her alive, ", She stated coldly and yanked her wrist away. Her back turned and slowly disappearing in to the woods. Detective Jack groaned and pulled his cell phone out. He made a quick call to the station and followed after his partner.