Page 3 of Splintered Memories
I almost lost the battle against the fireball in my chest, my pretend fist loosening as the burning in my eyes returned. “I love you, Mommy.”
But it was never over with her. There was always something more. There was always a next time.
We just had to pray that we would survive the next time.
1
August
Present day
Shehadmeabsolutelycaptivated.
I rolled my stiff shoulder as the video played, a half-eaten sandwich from the deli on my desk in front of me. Exhaustion clung to me like a second skin, and I let out a slow, long breath as I watched the woman on my computer screen.
Emersyn Hawthorn knew how to do her job well. I’d met her in person a couple of months ago when she became friends with my brother’s fiancée, and had devoured her content ever since. She hosted a popular true crime podcast with an accompanying YouTube channel. I wasn’t surprised at her success. Emersyn’s voice was calming and melodic as she spoke; her deep-green eyes behind her glasses flashed as she stared into the camera.
“As you all are well aware, in wake of recent events, I’m devoting videos every week to the most chilling case that has haunted the small town of Ember Hollow for over a decade.” Emersyn smoothed down her thick, red braid as a low, ominous music swelled in the background. “I’m Emersyn Hawthorn, your host, and this isSplintered True Crime.”
Emersyn’s face was replaced by a short intro montage, and I took the reprieve to scarf down more of my sandwich. I didn’t have much time these days, mostly because of the subject of this very podcast episode. True crime wasn’t something I often indulged in during my free time, considering my job running a small security company didn’t leave me with much of it, but this was different. This was more…research than anything else. At least, that’s what I told myself as Emersyn reappeared on my screen.
Her tone deepened, becoming low and serious as she adjusted her cat-eye frames. “For years, a shadow has loomed over the community of Ember Hollow and the surrounding southeast region of Ohio, striking fear into the hearts of young women and casting a cloud of uncertainty over the once-peaceful streets of an idyllic small town. Known only as ‘Shadow Stalker,’ this elusive predator has evaded capture, leaving a trail of tragedy and terror in his wake.”
My stomach knotted at the mention of the serial killer. For a long time, my family had thought that my little sister’s death was the work of that monster.
“Shadow Stalker,” Emersyn continued, “is a dark presence haunting the town for over a decade. His reign of terror began thirteen years ago, targeting college-aged women often near campuses. He abducts them, subjecting them to unspeakable horrors for days, or weeks,before ending their lives. His chilling signature: the crude form of a butterfly etched into their skin, a grim reminder of his heinous deeds.”
Turned out, it was Xander Cohen, the sheriff’s son, who had taken my sister’s life that night. The sheriff, having knowledge of the Shadow Stalker case, had covered up his son’s crime. Leaving the butterfly mark on my sister and making it look as if the notorious serial killer had been involved when he wasn’t. Still, the Shadow Stalker made my blood run cold.
“However, there’s new evidence to suggest that this killer might have been active long before he started leaving bodies for police to find. In this series, I’m going to uncover new truths as we take a deep dive into who this man is, and what he is capable of, so that one day he’ll be caught and face justice for his crimes.” Anger flashed in those eyes, bright and hot and sharp as a razor’s edge. “I’m going to start from the very beginning, to one of his very first victims who, until recently, was unknown. With each episode, I want to focus on every person this monster has erased from this world. I want to share their faces, share their stories, and I want the world to know that they are more than names on the Shadow Stalker’s list of victims. They werepeople. They were loved and had families and lives. In doing so, in showing you the depths of this man’s depravity, I hope to ignite a fire in each and every one of your hearts.” Emersyn paused, emotion and conviction thickening her voice as she swallowed. Her passion leached out from the screen and wrapped around my chest. “And together, I know that one day, we can bring light to the shadows and catch this serial killer. No one can hide when there’s enough eyes looking for them.”
A shiver vibrated down my spine at the gleam in her eye, her thirst for revenge and justice a tangible thing I felt in my bones. She was so damn good.
“August?”
The voice of my twin brother burst the atmospheric bubble Emersyn had built with her storytelling. I reached over and snapped my laptop closed, silencing the pretty podcaster on her tirade for justice.
I met my brother’s light-gray eyes, the only thing about us that was similar in any way. “What’s up?”
Fox leaned against the doorframe of my office. This building once had been nothing but an abandoned structure on our parents’ property, but with some help and a lot of hard work, we’d converted it into an office space big enough to accommodate all five of us—my brothers and me. Hearthstone Security was a dream business I’d started a decade ago, and I never imagined we’d still be doing this all these years later.
Fox’s eyes glanced down at the sandwich I still hadn’t finished. “I didn’t realize you were on lunch.”
I shook my head, folding what was remaining of the ham and cheese on homemade sourdough back into the paper wrapper it had come in. “It’s fine. What you got?”
A muscle in Fox’s jaw flexed. “You can finish your sandwich, you know.”
I resisted the urge to roll my eyes. I had recognized the tone he’d used when he said my name. He had business for me. “Spit it out, brother.”
“Fine.” Fox straightened and entered my office, his long legs eating up the space between us. “Mrs. Leary called again about her system. She’s convinced that it’s not working properly, even though the monitoring company hasn’t had any indication of a malfunction. From whatI can tell after about an hour and a half of trying to troubleshoot with her, I’m not convinced there is anything wrong either.” He let out a frustrated breath, running a hand over his short, dark hair. “Someone is going to have to go over there and take a look at it for her, and I’m swamped.”
We were all swamped right now. Fox handled the cybersecurity side of the business as well as tech support. He was probably the smartest person I’ve ever known. He could do things that I knew, for a fact, the government would be super interested in. He would be a great tool in their belt. But my brother was never interested in anything but a simple life in our small town.
Sometimes, I questioned whether this was enough for him. I wondered whether I was enough for him. But he always stayed, working hard and doing things like talking to crazed old ladies for over an hour even though he hated customer relations.
I pushed back my chair and stood. “I’ll take care of it.”
Fox nodded. “I’d ask Dad, but he’s already out on another installation.”
