Prologue

Melanie stumbled up the drive, nearly falling when her high-heeled shoes felt to big for her feet. The night air made Melanie shiver and goosebumps form. She'd meant to grab something to cover her arms but had forgotten. Her T-shirt and shorter skirt didn't fit the season. The alcohol she'd already drank didn't do much to warm her, but she intended to try again once she found the party stash.

The party was at Billy Modesto's house. He lived in town in the division behind the grocery store, where the houses had big backyards. Some even had pools. It wasn't an affluent neighborhood by anyone's standards, but they were more middle-class than most Pickleville folks.

Everyone knew Billy had drugs and enough alcohol to inebriate a small country. Half the town showed up whenever Billy threw one of his shindigs, and the old police chief had always overlooked it before because old man Modesto and the old chief were friends.

The season hadn't changed enough for the cold to leave her alone. Winter wasn't her favorite season, but it lingered even after spring had officially begun. Last year, spring had started early, so maybe she felt spoiled by Mother Nature.

She'd remembered to put a product in her hair that made it shine and take the frizz out. And her makeup was on point.

She stumbled again.

Her weakness was shoes. Well, that and good weed. She spent a lot of money on both and needed to curb her impulses because her credit card suffered the consequences. She'd think about that later.

When Melanie walked through the front door, she was already mostly high because she had the best weed in Pickleville. Billy needed a better supplier, but whatever. She had baked and drank enough vodka to get buzzed at home.

Not even five minutes into the night, and Melanie had already heard how Billy's party probably wouldn't last long because the new chief wasn't like the old one and wouldn't put up with the drugs and loudness.

"He's a city guy who thinks he can come into Pickleville and change things around." No one liked change, least of all Billy, who still lived with his parents even though he was as old as Melanie. They had graduated together eleven years ago.

Melanie would grab a drink, flirt with the cutest person at the party and go home before the neighbors complained. Nothing to sweat over.

Someone handed her a red plastic cup. When she drank, she discovered it was full of cheap beer, but had half of it gone as she made her way through the house to the backyard. Most everyone stood around the pool, although none were brave or drunk enough yet to endure the cold water.

Melanie scanned the party crowd, searching for someone pretty or, at the very least, someone she might enjoy having a conversation with. When she didn't see anyone, she walked around the pool, eying an empty lounge chair on the other side. She nearly fell into the freezing water, but a large hand grabbed her arm, saving her. She laughed and leaned against the man. "Thanks."

"You don't want to get that kind of wet, do you?" The man looked familiar. She had probably seen him at the diner. Most likely, she had served him at some point. Everyone who lived in Pickleville came into the restaurant because it was the only decent place to eat in town. Melanie never forgot a face, so she recognized him.

She smiled and nodded, agreeing with him. "It's a cold night."

When he smiled back, he had a tooth missing on the right side of his mouth. He pulled her past the lounger she had wanted. His grip tightened when she tried to break free.

Her head felt fuzzy the farther they walked. One man became two, taking up space on either side of her. The music faded just enough for her to hear her own breathing and nothing else. Darkness clouded her vision.

"Get her further in the woods."

"…Why are we doing this… we have a good thing...you know I like fucking you…"

"Don't wanna…Step-daddy will kill…"

Two different men spoke, having a conversation. At some point, their voices faded into one big jumble of words.

The cold ground against her bare skin was the last thing she remembered before the new chief showed up. And by then, her whole world had shifted.