Prologue - The Sugar And The Regret
Somewhere north of Raven’s Ridge - Outside club territory
The dirt road stretched out like a vein through the trees—dry, cracked, half-lit by the receding glow of a bonfire in the hills behind her.
She walked barefoot. Heels in one hand. Phone in the other.
The air smelled like gasoline, cheap cologne, and fire. Far behind her, the music had finally cut out—like even the speakers had passed out from the night.
She hit record.
“Hey, Lux… it’s me,” she said with a dry laugh, breath fogging slightly in the cold. “Sorry I missed your call earlier. Things were fine. The guys were cool. Wild, but not… y’know. Not dangerous.”
She blinked hard, trying to focus. One hand smoothed the wrinkled hem of her dress.
“You were right about that drink,” she muttered. “Tasted like sugar and regret.”
Another laugh—softer this time. Nervous. Not for Sera. For herself.
“I’ll call you tomorrow. Promise. Just wanted to say… thanks. For always having my back. I love you.”
She stopped walking. Her thumb hovered over the screen.
She didn’t send it.
Somewhere in the distance, tires crunched gravel. A slow turn of wheels.
Her head snapped toward the sound. The screen stayed lit in her hand, the recording still going.
She turned in a slow circle, scanning the dark.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Okay.”
The truck engine revved once—low, deliberate.
A laugh followed. Male. Drawn out. Not joyful. Not drunk. Hungry.
She started walking faster. Bare feet slipping in the dust. Breathing harder.
The phone stayed recording. Forgotten now.
Another sound behind her— Gravel shifting under weight. Heavier this time. Closer.
She broke into a run.
“Please—don’t!” she cried, panic breaking wide in her voice.
A hand grabbed her arm. Fingers dug into her skin—tight.
She whipped around. Hot breath at her ear.
That same laugh—closer now. Right behind her teeth.
And then— A scream.
Not surprised. Not startled.
A scream that knew her life was ending.
The phone stayed lit. The voicemail kept recording.
And the night swallowed her whole.
great stories but there is always 1 major problem, the last line or 2 is missing from the chapters. you need to remove. at least 1 paragraphs gap. join 2 paragraphs together so those lines can be read. it's damn frustrating