Disclaimer: I don’t own anything related to Summerland. I’m merely using the characters for creative purposes. The song (“Decode”) belongs to Paramore and their label.

Author’s Note: The story takes place in Hogarth County, Kansas, before Mr. and Mrs. Westerly die. Derrick will NOT be in the story at all. Ava/Johnny/Jay/ Susannah will NOT be a huge part of the story.

PROLOGUE

“The truth is hiding in your eyes…My thoughts you can’t decode…Do you see what we‘ve done? We’ve gone and made such fools of ourselves…There is something I see in you It might kill me I want it to be true.”

Ever since humans began roaming the earth, the creatures of the night have followed. There were times that they would all live peacefully, but they both hunted each other. That was nature at its best. In today’s time, it was no different. The prey tried hunting the predator, but the prey ended up hurt. Fighting for power left many casualties in it’s wake.

The woman pulled her wrap closer to her body as she walked to her “job.” She noticed how terribly cold it was. The dead leaves crunched with every footstep. Tonight wasn’t any different than any other day. When she arrived at her corner, she pulled out a mirror to make sure her makeup was still intact; she added more red lipstick. There she stood for some time. Bored, she lit on a cigarette. She was looking forward to Christmas. She was growing restless until she saw a man approaching her. She noticed how handsome he was: His body was toned; he a disheveled, daredevil look to him. She couldn’t help but wonder why such a man with remarkable looks would buy sex from someone on the streets when he could easily get it from a more respectable woman.

“Hey sugar, 100 dollars an hour. 500 for the entire night.” She managed to say. He brought his right hand to her face and looked deeply into her eyes.

“Okay. Let’s go for an all-nighter.” He gave her a wicked grin. Immediately, he grabbed her hand and led her to a construction site.

“I hope you don’t mind the place or company.” He said as a man approached both of them. The men smiled at each other.

Her body screamed to run away. Instead, with heavy breathing, she said, “Look a threesome is 700 for an all-nighter.”

They didn’t say anything as they approached her and one began kissing her neck while the other one began kissing her hand. She was scared beyond reason. She tried to shove away those thoughts by thinking that they were druggies who had sick fantasies. Her mind began to drift away until pain shook her. The man who first solicited her bit into her neck while the other looked at both of them. She managed to push him away and began running the opposite direction. She touched her neck and noticed that she was bleeding.

“Fuck!” She cursed.

She had barely ran a yard when they cornered her. One of them kissed her neck while the other one kissed her shoulder. She yelled into the night, but no one heard her.

“Merry Christmas!” Bradin Westerly shouted. The family embraced each other as they sat by the fireplace.

Karen Westerly, the head of the household, stood up and began distributing the presents. They slowly began opening them. While everyone seemed to have fun, Nikki Westerly, the youngest child, began to recite what was going to happen after opening presents. Every year, it was the same: sit around the fire; her dad, Robert “Bob” Westerly, would tell them a story; they would open presents; they would, then, gather around the tree and begin singing holiday music; then the night was over. She couldn’t help but wonder, if her family would ever dream of changing the routine. Her mind began racing with ways to try to break the monotony.

“Nik?! Are you here?” Bradin said as he waved his hands in front of her face.

“I’m okay. I just- I drifted into space.” She said as she gazed out the window one last time.

He shrugged and they both walked together towards the Christmas tree.

While singing, she thought, “At least school is starting soon…Maybe something exciting will happen.”

“Where is the medical examiner?” A disgruntled cop asked.

“Mr. Henessy is already with the victim.”

“Is he the new M.E.?” He looked at the medical examiner and his companion. He asked again, “Who is the girl?”

“Yes.” His partner responded, he added, “That’s his daughter. He was in the middle of settling into his office when we called him. She was with him.”

The grumpy cop walked towards the medical examiner and his daughter. He stopped a few feet away, he asked, “I’m detective Tivan. How long has she been here.”

“John Henessy, the medical examiner. Pleasure to meet you. My guess is that she’s been here sometime before the Christmas holiday. I won’t be certain until I have the lab results.”

“Very well.” Detective Tivan said as he walked around the crime scene; surveying the area. He noticed that John’s daughter was standing by the crane. She seemed lost in thought. She winced once in a while and took deep, unsteady breaths. He thought that it was strange and walked away, keeping an eye on the girl in case she needed help. His name was called and he quickly turned around, when he looked back the girl was gone.

It was early morning when the family gathered around the kitchen for some breakfast before school started. Karen Westerly turned on the news.

“Today’s breaking story comes from Cornwell county. An unidentified woman was found inside a construction site. Her neck had been cut at different angles and her hand was almost cut off. The police have yet to make an arrest. However, they made an announcement.” The news anchor said.

“We ask the people not to panic. This is an isolated case. An arrest will be made soon as we find evidence.” The police chief said.

Bob Westerly cleared his throat and wiped his mouth, “Okay. Kids be careful on your way to and from school. Bradin please take care of Nikki. I’ll see you guys later.”

He got up and went to work in the farm. Bradin and Nikki headed out the door towards Bradin’s 1975 Mustang.

“Bradin, can’t we like ditch school or something?” Nikki mumbled.

Bradin understood. “I know you think life our is boring, but you need to go to school. Plus something is happening. Can’t you feel it? Today seems different.”

“No, it isn’t. We’re gonna go to school, get our new schedules, switch sits, lunch, more classes, then we come home. At home, we will say grace and eat; you’ll help dad make sure the farm is okay; we’ll do our homework; to finally fall asleep. Only to begin the cycle again. Plus, we already know everyone here. We‘ve pretty much known each other since we were babies. No one ever moves here. Therefore, no new students.” Nikki said with frustration.

Bradin thought for a second as he was driving. He then, said, “Okay. How about we make a deal? If today nothing changes, tomorrow we’ll ditch school and I’ll take you out shopping to Atchinson’s Shopping Center.”

Nikki slumped in the passenger’s seat and looked out the window. Her phone beeped; it was a message from her friend, Krissy:

U betta get here!

We got 4 new students. 2 b, 2 g.

D guys r HAWT!

_K_

I love reading your reviews! How about leaving one so that I can update soon?

PS: Have you seen the movie Twilight? I thought it was okay….

Love,

~Karla