Prologue
2 weeks ago.
Dear Chloe,
How many years have passed since I met you? I remember a sweet, teary-eyed, little girl who was too young to be attending a funeral. The funeral and the year leading up to it will always be a painful memory for us, and the people of Glenlionville.
I feel obligated to tell you what I know now so you can make up your own mind about the terrible events that took place here. I want to thank you again for offering the use of your Dad’s house to me and your suggestion to write a story about the events at the falls, your Dad and the fires. I didn’t realise how tangled our lives really are. I thought we all lived alone in this little town but the story I have uncovered I hope will show how we were all connected.
You have the right to hear the entire story and now, thanks to circumstances, I can tell you. Living in this house has been such a revelation for me and I know it will be for you, as well. I’ve written it all down and somewhere along the way, it moved from being a letter to being a book. Some of the tale I saw first-hand and some came from friends’ accounts, diaries, journals and news reports. Some bits that have no one left to confirm or deny their veracity are pure speculation.
I know that you moved away after the funeral so I have written some about the history and area around Glenlionville. I want you to have a complete understanding of the town, the people and the land, as well as the horror that took place there.
Somewhere in the future this may give you some peace or closure. Please visit or write after you read the enclosed manuscript. I will remain a true friend and promise I will never judge your feelings.
Warm regards,
