Epilogue
“The hunt for the Frat boy killer ended yesterday with a shooting. According to sources close to the investigation Jeremy Logan Wright was shot when his attempt on his most recent victim ended with the use of deadly force.”
Rachel stood up to turn off the television.
“No wait. They’re going to show you.” Curtis brought her back beside him on the couch.
“Police say their investigation reveals there could have been as many as eleven previous victims rather than the four as once thought. The incident is under investigation by the firearm review board.”
“Aww, they didn’t show you.” Curtis clicked off the television.
“I looked awful in those reports.”
“You looked brave.” He reached his arms around her and squeezed. “So, tell me again how you saved me.”
“Curtis I’ve told you this twenty times since yesterday.” She threw her arms out dramatically and fell back into the couch.
“I know but I love hearing it.”
“I prayed.”
He smiled down at her. “And what did you pray?”
“That if God was real that we’d get out alive.”
“And?” He turned his ear toward her and leaned toward her.
She leaned down in to his arms and relived the scene again. How she heard the shots, felt as if her heart were burning inside her chest. Then, only an instant later, the sudden calm that replaced it. “I still don’t get it.”
“Yes you do.” He kissed her forehead.
“Okay, I don’t entirely understand it, but I think I get it.”
Curtis nodded, pleased with her answer. “That’s all you need.”
She had learned testing God wasn’t the best way to start a relationship, and maybe it wasn’t, but God had revealed himself to her in the way she needed it. He kept his promise to deliver her. And even though she really didn’t understand it somehow she knew He was beside her the whole time.
“Do you have any ideas of what you’d like to do today?” Curtis reached for her hand. She took it in both of her hands.
“I’m open to suggestions.”
“Let’s Elope.” He said with a smile.
“Elope?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t you think that is a bit fast?” She leaned back on the couch and crossed her legs.
“Not when you know you’ve found the one God picked for you.”
Rachel eyed this man who only a few months ago she’d barely been willing to talk to. Seemed so ridiculous now that it had taken her so long to see what was right in front of her.
She kissed him then stood up. “Who am I to argue with that logic?” He stayed on the couch, eyes searching her. “Are you coming or what?”
“You’re serious?”
Rachel nodded and reached her hand toward him.
“I’ll grab my keys.”
The End
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
A Face in the Shadow Part 3 Chapter 1
One
“No.” She screamed when she heard the sharp popping upstairs then slumped at the bottom of the steps. There was no way she could go up. Even if it was Jeremy she couldn’t see…
There was thudding overhead. Rachel looked up the steps and Curtis came around the corner. There was a red line across one arm and his clothes were disheveled but he was fine.
“He’s dead Rachel.”
“Oh my God.” It was a three word prayer but God knew in her heart God had heard it. The armor dropped off of her heart and she looked up at Curtis coming down the steps.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at http://www.writingcareercoach.com/
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
“No.” She screamed when she heard the sharp popping upstairs then slumped at the bottom of the steps. There was no way she could go up. Even if it was Jeremy she couldn’t see…
There was thudding overhead. Rachel looked up the steps and Curtis came around the corner. There was a red line across one arm and his clothes were disheveled but he was fine.
“He’s dead Rachel.”
“Oh my God.” It was a three word prayer but God knew in her heart God had heard it. The armor dropped off of her heart and she looked up at Curtis coming down the steps.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at http://www.writingcareercoach.com/
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
A Face in the Shadow Part 3 Chapter 2
Two
Jeremy heard the shot at almost the same moment pain seared through his stomach. A cop stood over him, pistol drawn. A second called for an ambulance in his radio.
Why did they shoot him? It was the other man who didn’t belong. Alpha Mu Epsilon. He had earned her. Rachel was his.
The pain was fading. He was sleepy. The men, the two cops and that wife stealer, stood over him. They wouldn’t help him. They were watching him die.
He scanned the room. She wasn’t there. She had betrayed him too. Just like the others.
He was tired.
Very tired.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Jeremy heard the shot at almost the same moment pain seared through his stomach. A cop stood over him, pistol drawn. A second called for an ambulance in his radio.
Why did they shoot him? It was the other man who didn’t belong. Alpha Mu Epsilon. He had earned her. Rachel was his.
The pain was fading. He was sleepy. The men, the two cops and that wife stealer, stood over him. They wouldn’t help him. They were watching him die.
He scanned the room. She wasn’t there. She had betrayed him too. Just like the others.
He was tired.
Very tired.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Friday, October 16, 2009
A Face in the Shadow Part 3 Chapter 3
Three
“Rachel. Don’t make me ask twice.”
He turned her around to face him.
“I-I love you.”
“And you want to marry me.” He squeezed her arm when he said it.
“And I want to marry you.” He was going to let her live. Hope surged for a fleeting moment then died when she considered the life he’d likely have her living.
He reached in his pocket but instead of pulling out a ring as she expected he pulled out a large knife from his pocket. He unfolded it and lifted the blade to her face.
“Let’s move things upstairs.” His breath made her recoil. His cologne was powerless against it. Rachel leaned back against the table. He responded by taking the blade down and cutting off one button from her blouse. Then a second and third. He stepped back and motioned to the steps with his head.
God if you really do exist please help me.
She turned and looked back. He lifted the blade and waved it towards the staircase that led to the upstairs. She went up the steps and at the top turned.
“Our room.”
He put his hand on her waist and led her down the hall to her bedroom. The clock on her nightstand only read five-thirty five. Deep sobs rose inside her. This morning had been the last time she’d see her parents, Shannon or Curtis.
I’m so sorry Curtis.
Jeremy led Rachel to the side of the bed and cut the rest of her buttons off before unbuttoning his own shirt.“I’ll be gentle with you beautiful.” He untucked his shirt and nodded his head to her blouse. She refused to move. If this was going to happen she wouldn’t help.“Are you a little shy?” His voice was gentle with her again. He leaned down and pressed his lips hard against hers and pushed her back on her bed. She tried to pull away but he grabbed the back of her head and held her still.
“Rachel, are you here.”
Jeremy stood up and turned to the voice coming from downstairs. “What is he doing here?”
“Rachel?”
Curtis was downstairs. From his voice she could hear him coming toward the steps leading upstairs.
Jeremy leaned in close. His breath was like death. “Don’t make me kill him on our special day.” He stood back up and put his finger to his lips. If she stayed quiet he would kill Curtis. Jeremy was never going to let her live apart from his sick twisted world.
“Rachel? Is everything okay?” Curtis sounded like he was at the top of the steps.
Jeremy would kill Rachel or Curtis.
God would make a way where there seemed to be no way.
“Curtis!” She screamed. Jeremy lunged for her and she dove from the bed. Curtis burst in the room.
“Run Rachel.” Curtis yelled.
She hesitated only an moment then ran out of the bedroom and down the steps. She pressed the panic button on her alarm and dialed 9-1-1.
She held her blouse closed with one hand and went for a knife. Her hands shook and she made her way quickly for the steps. Something shattered overhead and she could hear the struggle.
I think you might be real. If you are, please save Curtis too.
Before she was half way up the stairs someone pounded at the door. She turned and saw the blue and red lights flashing around her curtains. Something overhead crashed again and there were no more sounds of struggle.
She hesitated only a moment longer then ran to the front door and let the officer in.
“He’s upstairs. One is my boyfriend and the other is the Fratboy.”
The officer paused for a moment and looked at her then went up the steps.
“The bad guy doesn’t have his shirt on.” She screamed after him. Another officer ran in her front door. She called after him “The bad guy doesn’t have his shirt on.”
There were muffled yells. Then she heard the gunshot.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
“Rachel. Don’t make me ask twice.”
He turned her around to face him.
“I-I love you.”
“And you want to marry me.” He squeezed her arm when he said it.
“And I want to marry you.” He was going to let her live. Hope surged for a fleeting moment then died when she considered the life he’d likely have her living.
He reached in his pocket but instead of pulling out a ring as she expected he pulled out a large knife from his pocket. He unfolded it and lifted the blade to her face.
“Let’s move things upstairs.” His breath made her recoil. His cologne was powerless against it. Rachel leaned back against the table. He responded by taking the blade down and cutting off one button from her blouse. Then a second and third. He stepped back and motioned to the steps with his head.
God if you really do exist please help me.
She turned and looked back. He lifted the blade and waved it towards the staircase that led to the upstairs. She went up the steps and at the top turned.
“Our room.”
He put his hand on her waist and led her down the hall to her bedroom. The clock on her nightstand only read five-thirty five. Deep sobs rose inside her. This morning had been the last time she’d see her parents, Shannon or Curtis.
I’m so sorry Curtis.
Jeremy led Rachel to the side of the bed and cut the rest of her buttons off before unbuttoning his own shirt.“I’ll be gentle with you beautiful.” He untucked his shirt and nodded his head to her blouse. She refused to move. If this was going to happen she wouldn’t help.“Are you a little shy?” His voice was gentle with her again. He leaned down and pressed his lips hard against hers and pushed her back on her bed. She tried to pull away but he grabbed the back of her head and held her still.
“Rachel, are you here.”
Jeremy stood up and turned to the voice coming from downstairs. “What is he doing here?”
“Rachel?”
Curtis was downstairs. From his voice she could hear him coming toward the steps leading upstairs.
Jeremy leaned in close. His breath was like death. “Don’t make me kill him on our special day.” He stood back up and put his finger to his lips. If she stayed quiet he would kill Curtis. Jeremy was never going to let her live apart from his sick twisted world.
“Rachel? Is everything okay?” Curtis sounded like he was at the top of the steps.
Jeremy would kill Rachel or Curtis.
God would make a way where there seemed to be no way.
“Curtis!” She screamed. Jeremy lunged for her and she dove from the bed. Curtis burst in the room.
“Run Rachel.” Curtis yelled.
She hesitated only an moment then ran out of the bedroom and down the steps. She pressed the panic button on her alarm and dialed 9-1-1.
She held her blouse closed with one hand and went for a knife. Her hands shook and she made her way quickly for the steps. Something shattered overhead and she could hear the struggle.
I think you might be real. If you are, please save Curtis too.
Before she was half way up the stairs someone pounded at the door. She turned and saw the blue and red lights flashing around her curtains. Something overhead crashed again and there were no more sounds of struggle.
She hesitated only a moment longer then ran to the front door and let the officer in.
“He’s upstairs. One is my boyfriend and the other is the Fratboy.”
The officer paused for a moment and looked at her then went up the steps.
“The bad guy doesn’t have his shirt on.” She screamed after him. Another officer ran in her front door. She called after him “The bad guy doesn’t have his shirt on.”
There were muffled yells. Then she heard the gunshot.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
A Face in the Shadow Part 3 Chapter 4
Four
Logan, or as Rachel called him Jeremy, kissed her neck but it did nothing to calm the raging desire inside his body. Never had he been so willing to wait for what he wanted and never had there been such a surge inside. With one of the other eleven the table would have sufficed but he’d be with Rachel forever. They were going to start their life together right.
He was going to give her a husband’s love. A husband’s love was gentle and tender. A husband protected his wife from anyone who would hurt her. Jeremy was going to protect Rachel from all those people who would seek to lead her astray.
Jeremy would complete her.
“Tell me you love me, Rachel.”
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Logan, or as Rachel called him Jeremy, kissed her neck but it did nothing to calm the raging desire inside his body. Never had he been so willing to wait for what he wanted and never had there been such a surge inside. With one of the other eleven the table would have sufficed but he’d be with Rachel forever. They were going to start their life together right.
He was going to give her a husband’s love. A husband’s love was gentle and tender. A husband protected his wife from anyone who would hurt her. Jeremy was going to protect Rachel from all those people who would seek to lead her astray.
Jeremy would complete her.
“Tell me you love me, Rachel.”
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Friday, October 9, 2009
A Face in the Shadow Part 3 Chapter 5
Five
Rachel stared at Jeremy in her living room. He wasn’t the charming man she’d met after the fender bender. His eyes were large saucers and a toothy smile was plastered to his face. Her blood turned to ice.
“Us?”
He nodded his head. He never broke his stare it simply slid up and down her body.
“My boyfriend will be here soon.”
His eyes flashed anger. He squinted and took two steps closer to her.
“No, he won’t. He has a seven o’ clock appointment.” His smile returned. “I knew we wouldn’t want to be interrupted tonight.” He licked his lips.
He walked slowly to her. He stood a few inches taller than her and he was much more muscular than she had remembered. He was in a starched button up shirt.
Another step. He was almost toe to toe with her.
How could she have come in the house and not smell his aftershave. He must have bathed in it.
“Please don’t.” She squeaked out.
“Don’t what?” He rubbed the end of her hair with his fingers.
Don’t give him any ideas. She stood silent.
“Open your present.” He motioned with his finger.
She turned and faced the table. The wooden box wasn’t more than six inches across. The outside was scuffed like something that has been opened many times. Or something fairly old. She lifted the lid slowly and reached into touch the lock of red hair.
He stepped up, pressed himself up against her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “There were eleven before you but they were not worthy. You were the one I had been waiting for.”
“Eleven?”
He lifted her hair and kissed the back of her neck. When she started to pull away he grabbed her by the throat and pulled her back then slowly began to kiss her again. She closed her eyes. Soon she would wake up from a paranoid nightmare and would be at her parents’ house where she should have been this evening.
“The eleven who betrayed me, Rachel. You saw them on the television.”
The dead women.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Rachel stared at Jeremy in her living room. He wasn’t the charming man she’d met after the fender bender. His eyes were large saucers and a toothy smile was plastered to his face. Her blood turned to ice.
“Us?”
He nodded his head. He never broke his stare it simply slid up and down her body.
“My boyfriend will be here soon.”
His eyes flashed anger. He squinted and took two steps closer to her.
“No, he won’t. He has a seven o’ clock appointment.” His smile returned. “I knew we wouldn’t want to be interrupted tonight.” He licked his lips.
He walked slowly to her. He stood a few inches taller than her and he was much more muscular than she had remembered. He was in a starched button up shirt.
Another step. He was almost toe to toe with her.
How could she have come in the house and not smell his aftershave. He must have bathed in it.
“Please don’t.” She squeaked out.
“Don’t what?” He rubbed the end of her hair with his fingers.
Don’t give him any ideas. She stood silent.
“Open your present.” He motioned with his finger.
She turned and faced the table. The wooden box wasn’t more than six inches across. The outside was scuffed like something that has been opened many times. Or something fairly old. She lifted the lid slowly and reached into touch the lock of red hair.
He stepped up, pressed himself up against her and wrapped his arms around her waist. “There were eleven before you but they were not worthy. You were the one I had been waiting for.”
“Eleven?”
He lifted her hair and kissed the back of her neck. When she started to pull away he grabbed her by the throat and pulled her back then slowly began to kiss her again. She closed her eyes. Soon she would wake up from a paranoid nightmare and would be at her parents’ house where she should have been this evening.
“The eleven who betrayed me, Rachel. You saw them on the television.”
The dead women.
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
A Face in the Shadow Part 3 Chapter 6
Six
He stood just outside of the of the small lamp’s light. When she turned to face him it they would finally be ready. Slowly she put her arms down by her side and turned to him. She squinted her eyes at him.
“Are you happy to see me?”
She didn’t speak.
She shouldn’t make him speak twice. He wanted tonight to be gentle but he was willing to take what was his. “I said are you happy to see me?” He kept his voice low but his tone was firm.
“I can’t see you. That lamp is too dim.” Her voice cracked. She was afraid. Fear was good. He could work with that.
“Turn on the overhead light.”
She obeyed quickly and turned on the dining room light then turned to face him.
“Jeremy?”
“Not who you expected?”
“I…”
“I’ve known from the first moment you were her.” It hadn’t come out as eloquently as he’d hoped. The next thing he said would be better.
“What do you want?” She said, fear rattling her voice.
“The same thing you want…Us.”
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
He stood just outside of the of the small lamp’s light. When she turned to face him it they would finally be ready. Slowly she put her arms down by her side and turned to him. She squinted her eyes at him.
“Are you happy to see me?”
She didn’t speak.
She shouldn’t make him speak twice. He wanted tonight to be gentle but he was willing to take what was his. “I said are you happy to see me?” He kept his voice low but his tone was firm.
“I can’t see you. That lamp is too dim.” Her voice cracked. She was afraid. Fear was good. He could work with that.
“Turn on the overhead light.”
She obeyed quickly and turned on the dining room light then turned to face him.
“Jeremy?”
“Not who you expected?”
“I…”
“I’ve known from the first moment you were her.” It hadn’t come out as eloquently as he’d hoped. The next thing he said would be better.
“What do you want?” She said, fear rattling her voice.
“The same thing you want…Us.”
You are reading A Face in the Shadow by Tiffany Colter.
Tiffany is a writer, speaker and writing career coach. She is a frequent contributor to print and online publications in addition to her regular marketing blog at www.WritingCareerCoach.com
Get each new chapter delivered to you by signing up for the Tiffany Colter Fiction Blog using the link on the right.
This story is copyright Tiffany Colter. 2007. It may not be copied, distributed, sold or included in any larger work without the expressed written permission of Tiffany Colter.
Bloggers may comment on or link to this blog from their own blog. To link directly to this posting click the title, then copy the address in the browser.
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