Chapter 1
Driving her small car eastward, approaching the end of the new asphalt street, Jade parks her car and steps out into the mid-day sunlight. A sign indicating a DEAD END seems appropriate, considering the ordeal she’s involved in. If she doesn’t follow the strict instructions, this will truly be her dead end.
“Walk to the center of the block, and stand in the middle of the street.” The instructions were clear on her home phone.
Jade parks her car next to the DEAD END sign. She counts nine neighborhood blocks she needs to walk. The sun is shining and she’s glad she didn’t wear her coat.
The tank top and jeans she’s wearing are perfect for this weather, but her three inch high heels are making her feet scream for help as she walks westward.
The first block is void of people. A few cars are parked in the small driveways, and a few cars are parked along the street. The houses on the street are neat and clean. Not what she’s expecting. She’s overheard numerous conversations about the eastside of town. The nightly news is always reporting on gangs, drugs, prostitution, and the criminal activity happening on Ricardo Avenue. Ricardo Avenue is located on the eastside of town and is well known for criminal activities.
She slowly glances at an address of one of the houses. The nine-zero-four indicates she has four and a half more blocks to walk on Ricardo Avenue.
Walking calms her mind as she ponders the event that brings her to this moment in her life.
