Page 1 of Haunt Me

Prologue

“Fuck, Pierce,” Joe exclaimsfrom behind me as he walks in through the door, his face scrunching up as he looks around the room at the mess I’ve made.

“Yeah, things got a little…heated,” I say, the scent of metallic blood wafting through the air as I rinse my hands and knife under the icy water. Crimson trails swirl down the drain, relieving my fingers from the taint of another man’s life. I don’t take it lightly when it comes to stealing from me. If you are gonna fuck with my business, you have to face the consequences.

“A little? Kid, it looks like you slaughtered a pig in here,” he remarks, his voice laced with disapproval. His hand slicks back his dark grey hair, a sharp contrast to the gruesome scene before us. The man, bound tothe chair, lies motionless, his spilled entrails forming a macabre tapestry on the floor.

I can’t deny my brutality, especially when faced with betrayal from those I employ. The echoes of my past hardships resonate within me, fueling my intolerance for any disrespect towards my authority or my thriving enterprise. I’ve endured too much to let anyone attempt to undermine or sabotage what I’ve built.

“I did,” I state with a mischievous grin, causing Joe to let out a hearty chuckle. The dimly lit room is filled with the faint aroma of stale cigarette smoke and the sound of distant traffic seeping through the cracked windows.

I step closer to Joe, the worn wooden floor creaking beneath my weight, and slide my hands into my pockets. “Do you have a list of everything that this asshole stole and sold off?”

“Yes, I also have the name—well, some sort of identification of the person to whom it was sold,” Joe replies, his voice carrying a hint of anticipation. I nod, urging him to continue. As he lifts the crumpled paper to his tired eyes, the flickering fluorescent light abovecasts a harsh glow on his face. He begins listing the stolen items with a hint of disbelief in his voice.

“Five .32 Beretta Cheetah’s, two. 25 Beretta 418s, fifteen .45 Glock 39s,” he pauses, his gaze meeting mine, “and he also sold melee weapons. Five knives, five switchblades, and five daggers.” I stare at Joe, my eyes wide with incredulity. I can’t help but scoff, shaking my head in disbelief.

“Shit, okay,” I mutter, my mind racing with thoughts of revenge. Gripping the handle of my knife, hidden at the back of my pants, I twirl it around my fingers, feeling its cool metal against my skin. The room grows tense as I ask the next question, my voice laced with determination.

“And who did he sell it to?” I demand, the blade of my knife glinting in the dim light. Joe’s weary expression deepens as he replies, “He didn’t give his full name, but the person is listed as Z.O.” I scoff, knowing that the thief wouldn’t be foolish enough to reveal his true identity. But I’m not one to be deterred. I will find out who this Z.O. is, and when I do, he will face the consequences. The taste of fear will be his last before his wretched soul is dragged to the depths of hell.

Chapter 1

Starlet

Sometimes it feels likeI might have been adopted. The sound of my mother’s voice pierces through the phone, filled with disapproval, “I hope with all this working you have enough time for your studies, Starlet,” she complains. Her constant questioning of everything I do leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. The disappointment card is thrown around like a fizzy ball, its impact hitting me hard.

Rolling my eyes, I can almost feel the strain on my eye muscles as I retort, “If I didn’t have this job, there would be no studies at all, Mother.”

I refuse to ask my parents for anything, knowing they always expect something in return. They caterto my little sister’s every whim, a snap of her fingers commanding their undivided attention.

It’s clear they prefer her over me, their spoiled and manipulative ways mirroring hers. “Drop the attitude, Starlet,” my mother sighs through the speaker. “You are still in law school, right?” The weight of her expectations feels suffocating, causing me to almost see the back of my head as I roll my eyes with frustration.

“Mhm.”

Nope.

“Good, anything other than that is unacceptable.”

Of course, it is.

“Listen, I have to get going, my shift is about to start.” I rush to end the call, not giving her another second to respond. The relief washes over me, like a cool breeze on a hot summer day, as I escape the suffocating grip of her words.

Maybe I was switched at the hospital.

As I walk into the diner, I am greeted by the vibrant red lights and the inviting aroma of sizzling meat and frying onions. The Diner Shop is like my second home. I spend my nights working as a waitress while studyingduring the day. I've been working here for the past two years to pay for my education.

It has a captivating nostalgic vibe that transports you back to the 1950s. The old and rusty number plates hanging from the walls, the red leather stools lined up at the counter, the cheap Formica tabletops, and the checker-tiled floors all add to the charm of the place. A warm smile from my boss greets me, and I return the gesture with equal sincerity.

"Hello, Bobby!" I greet. He smiles sweetly and asks, "How have you been?"

Bobby is a kind, gentle soul who is passionate about everything he does. He always has a smile on his face and is a joy to be around.

You can tell by looking at him that he has a big heart. His big brown doe eyes, light brown hair with silver streaks taking over, and a little belly make him look like a loving grandfather. I have always enjoyed working for him.

"I have been doing alright—school has been tiring, and we have a big test coming up in a week, which I'm dreading." Don't get me wrong, I love the direction that I'm studying, but the work can get a bitoverwhelming. I give Bobby a smile before heading back to get ready for my shift.

“Well, aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” Chloe shouts as she walks through the door. “Uh, do I know you, miss?” I respond with a playful smirk that receives a gasp from her. “Wow, does Bobby know his ‘favorite waitress’ is a bitch?” She fires back with a smug look on her face.

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