1. The Victim

"Look at them." A laugh rips through me as I inspect the polished crowd while sipping a fruity cocktail. It's evening here on the sands just below the country club and everyone in this snooty organization has come out to usher in a brand-new season.

Each one of these decrepit souls is wealthier than the last.

And each one of them holds a deep, dark secret.

Lucky for me, I happen to know my fair share of those clandestine mysteries. And believe me, if I were the one harboring some of those secrets, I wouldn't be advertising them either.

I knock back half the fruity cocktail in my hand and shake my head at the plasticine people.

Secrets may abound, but I know my fair share. They trust me enough to keep tabs on the dollar signs rolling around in their bank accounts—even the offshore bank accounts. And that's exactly how I've managed to unearth the juiciest tidbits I've recently come across.

One hasn't paid taxes in years.

One is a brazen thief.

And one is a killer.

I down the rest of my drink and smile.

I've shown my cards—to the debtor, the thief, the killer.

I made it a point to do so last week, and now I plan on collecting the payment for my silence.

However, silencing a debtor and a thief won't land me in prison as an accomplice after the fact. But playing games with a homicidal maniac just might have me singing the prison blues.

Maybe I should rethink my strategy.

Yes. I should definitely put more thought into what to do with the killer.

Someone calls my name and I look up.

"Speak of the devil." I give a bold smile and head their way.

We walk together in silence and I can't seem to get my footing in the sand, the world feels as if it's wobbling, and I can't walk a straight line.

"I'm not feeling well," I moan as the world begins to blur.

A body of water appears up ahead, a puddle the size of a small swimming pool.

They mumble something and take me by the elbow.

I try to avoid the pool of water, but instead, I'm shoved in, face-first.

My entire body enlivens with a jolt.

It looks as if the killer had one more secret they were keeping close to the vest—my demise.

And just like that, the world goes black forever.