Prologue

My name is Neil Schoenfeld, a college graduate who loves detective work. Lots of ‘em! So, here is a brief note of what I think happened to Melanie Hopper after the brief findings I made. I am scratching my head with my own hands, wondering how to begin. But do not worry. I am good.

This story could help you solve the case later in this novel. It is the base of the investigation we are working on today. Remove the idea of family and friends because no one is a friend or a true family member. Anyone can be the killer. So keep your eyes open, pay attention to details and take note of every little details, even the one that seems unimportant. Help me solve this case so that I can be promoted from being an average loser to the ultimate position I deserve.

Thank you anonymous reader. It feels weird talking to myself, but okay. Now, here is what I feel the 19th of November looked like. It might look like a story, but it isn’t a fiction. I promise.

***

Melanie ran as fast as she could, brushing shrubs off her path. She heard her attacker's footsteps race behind her, and couldn’t stop. No matter how tired she was, she just couldn’t. She heard the sound of a busy highway ahead of her and grinned with hope. She might survive. She might actually survive this.

The darkness of the night was more scary than she thought. The evil human being that pursued her didn't make it anymore better. She wasn't sure how she got herself into this. She wasn't sure why this person wanted her dead at all cost.

“Help!” She screamed with distress and ran up the steep hill. Her heart raced against her chest and her conscience brightened her mood. I can survive this. I can get out of this. The cold night caused her to shiver a bit due to her sleeveless shirt, but who cared. The dirt on the ground already made her brand new shirt look like it was dipped in mud. She smelled of sweat and dried milk from her flowing nipple.

“Arghh!” She yelped as she slipped on a rock and twisted her ankle.

No! No!

The darkness of the sky made it difficult for her to see her next steps. The town of Wenner was built in a weird way. Who came up with it anyway?! It wasn't easy for anyone to hide or get help quickly when stuck at the bottom of its steep hill. She heard her attacker’s sprints, but wasn’t sure the direction they came from. Her hands got sweaty. With all her strength, she forced herself up and began to pull herself up the hill.

“Help me!” She yelled. “Please! Anyone!”

Tears rolled down her cheeks, as the footsteps came closer.

“Please, anyone…”

There was no hope anymore. The night was silent and the highway wasn’t within her reach. The hill was too steepy to stand on and her ankle was difficult to move.

“Please! Please!” She pleaded as strong arms pulled her from the hill and dragged her back into the woods where she ran from. She was forced on her back and gripped tightly on the neck. Melanie gasped for breath as she struggled to push the attacker off, but to no avail.

“Spare me…,” she struggled to speak.

Her attacker showed no mercy. She felt the robbery glove shove into her neck until her body went cold and everything went white.

“I…I…I have a ch…”

Her body went numb.