Page 195 of Fallen Princess: Shadow Stalker

“We’ve all just piled into the SUV and are heading out now, but Huntington Beach is miles away. Stay on the phone with us till you find her.”

It’s not long until I drive into an abandoned mall with an empty parking lot. The flickering lights of a couple of lampposts cast eerie shadows on the cracked pavement. My eyes scan the area, trying to spot anything indicating Eden is here.

“Somethings not right,” I say and explain where I’m at. “What car has Catalina got?”

“White Chevy,” I hear Callum say.

“I see it. Looks like they’re just talking.” I stop the engine, get off the bike, and cautiously walk over to the car.

As I peer through the darkened window, a chill grips my spine. My heart quickens to match the pulse of fear and anxiety surging through me.

Inside the car, Eden’s held hostage by Catalina, who’s partially obscured in darkness, holding a gun aimed squarely at her. Paralyzed by the harrowing scene unfolding before me, I become acutely aware of the horrifying reality that threatens to unravel our world.

“Put the gun down!” I shout, and Eden’s eyes quickly dart to me, her eyes wide with fear. The guys in my ear yell with my sudden outburst of those grave words.

“Catalina!” I shout, trying to open the car door, only to find it locked. “Put the gun down!”

Eden’s also pleading with the woman.

Time seems to stretch into slow motion as fear and anxiety clench at my heart.

I swing my helmet against the driver’s window and crack it in an attempt to distract Catalina.

The tension mounts as I witness the scene unfold, each passing moment an eternity. The muzzle flashes in the dim light, the deafening sound silenced by the echoes of the deserted car park. The loud gunshot sound reverberates unforgivingly around me.

“Nooooo!” I scream.

In a surreal slow motion, Eden looks at me just before she crumples in slow motion.

“No!!! Eden. Fuck!”

Then Catalina turns the gun on herself.

Pop.

All it takes is one shot to her mouth, and the entire car is bathed in their blood.

“Fuck no!” Panic surges through my veins, propelling me into action. With frenzied determination, I rear back my leg and deliver a powerful kick straight at the car's window.

The sound of shattering glass echoes in the stillness of the night. The window explodes into a thousand glittering shards, spraying outward like a burst of stars against the dark canvas of the evening sky.

With hands trembling as I fumble with the central lock, I run to Eden’s side with a sudden surge of emotion. As the door swings open, I’m confronted with the devastating reality of her lifeless form, bathed in a grotesque scene of blood.

“Eden! Oh god! ” My cries are reverberated through the deserted space.

I pull her out and cradle her limp body in my arms, tears streaming down my face as I grapple with the cruel finality of the moment.

“Call 911! Call 911!” I shout, but no one hears me.

The blokes in my ear are no longer shouting.

The world around me has just died.

EPILOGUE 1

Thirteen months later

The notebook sits sprawled across the bed, my bare foot casually leaning against the edge next to it and my guitar in hand casually strumming a chord or two as I watch Jagger next to me, writing down a couple of notes inside the book.

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