Chapter 1

CHAPTER 1

Two hours from now…

The Victim

M ain Street is buzzing here in Honey Hollow with way too much Thanksgiving cheer for my liking.

The storefronts are decked out in autumn leaves and twinkle lights while laughter fills the air, mingling with the smell of freshly baked pies.

I walk along, feeling pretty smug and a little too pleased with myself, and I'll admit, it's a darn good feeling.

I've gotten away with everything.

Some might say I've gotten away with murder—and it's honestly thrilling.

I can't help but think about how I've tormented, in one way or another, each person I've come into contact with so far tonight.

It brings a goofy grin to my face just thinking of it.

In fact, I can't help but grin as I think about the little head games I've got brewing. The cutthroat threats, the lascivious secrets I've dangled over the heads of my victims—it's all too easy and it's nothing but one big thrill. A big thrill that will yield the perfect payout for me.

Not only will I be able to bail myself out of the hot water I'm sitting in with the mob, but I should have enough to take off for the Caribbean and create a whole new life for myself.

Hopefully, there will be a hot blonde waiting for me on the beach when I get there. If not, I'll buy one or twelve.

How's that for manifesting my destiny?

I pause to admire my reflection in a display window and feel a surge of satisfaction. The world keeps spinning, all of Honey Hollow is bustling around me, blissfully unaware of the strings I'm pulling, and I'm looking pretty decent while doing so.

A crowd begins to gather at the bakery down the street. Looks as if a pie-eating competition is about to start.

"Come and join us," a hot blonde shouts. "There's still plenty of room, and the winner gets a fifty-dollar gift card to the Cutie Pie Bakery and Cakery—not to mention all the pumpkin pie you can eat tonight!"

A gift card and all the pumpkin pie I can eat?

A laugh strums through me. That little lady has no idea who she's talking to. I can put away enough pumpkin pie to feed an entire football team. She's going to be out of pie by the time I get through with that little competition, and I'll be one fifty-dollar gift card richer because of it.

See there?

Things just keep going my way. I've already manifested another one of my deepest desires—all the pie I can stuff my face with.

I sign up and soon I'm seated at the table with the other contestants, eyeing the lineup of pumpkin pies with a mountain of whipped cream. I can hardly wait to get my mitts on it.

"All right, folks," the cheery hottie calls out. "I'm Lottie Lemon, the owner of the bakery, and I've got an entire line of pumpkin pies ready and raring to go. You may use a fork if you so please, you may use all the extra whipped cream you want, and you may—start now! "

The crowd cheers with excitement as I hunker down and focus on the feast in front of me.

Time to indulge.

I dig in, savoring each sweet bite as I shovel it in as fast as I can.

The crowd roars as the excitement builds, but something is starting to feel off.

My chest tightens, my throat constricts.

Panic sets in.

The fork slips from my hands as I gasp for breath.

I look up, and to my surprise I see them standing in the crowd as a dark malevolent smile curves on their lips. They nod my way and offer a wink as I struggle to breathe.

This is their doing, they've arranged for my demise.

The world blurs around me, and it hits me—this is it.

So, this is how it ends. I shake my head at the disbelief mixed with bitter irony. All of my smug satisfaction evaporates as darkness closes in.

The last bite taken was my last bite indeed.

Amidst the festive cheer of Honey Hollow, all of my secrets will die with me, leaving behind a mystery that will unravel in ways no one will expect.

I can only hope every last secret I've harbored for my enemies will be unleashed.

And that will be my final act of revenge.

A sadistic smile trembles on my lips as the world goes black.