8 Chapter 7: Summer Perfume.

(Violet)

Violet has woke up with the birds chirping outside, rubbing her eyes out. She opened the curtain and the sun was shining brightly. The first thing to do is get the music box fixed up and afterward, she has the whole free day. What is there to do in Montana? Other than the town around, that's pretty much it.

She looked at her phone and had an idea that may seem far of a stretch to be asking someone. Violet looked through her contact list and found it, Aisha Bell. She hesitated a little to call her and ask if she could accompany her to a nearby repair shop around town. Surprisingly, Aisha agreed to the arrangement, picking her up around 10:30 am. "I'll see you later Violet." She said in a calming voice.

"I'll see you then too Aisha!" Violet exclaimed, putting her phone down. She took a deep sigh and got ready for today, eating her usual rice and leftover beefsteak that she made one night ago. After eating, she got herself ready for the day, wearing minimal makeup and wore a simple yet mundane outfit yet not noticeable from the general populous. She looked at herself for the final time, checking up for anything wrong with herself. Grabbing the music box and heading out, stopping at her grandmother's room.

She knocked on the door, echoing from the hall behind her. Violet cleared her throat, "Granny Lou, I'll be getting the music box fixed up, I'm going to go to the repair shop. Do you have anything fixed up?" Violet questioned. There was silence in between, then she heard a sigh from inside. "There's nothing fixed my dear, are you going by yourself?" She questioned. "I'm not going alone, Granny! I'm going with a friend!" She replied obediently.

"That's good, be safe there." She replied. Violet let out a sigh, and walked out of the house, to see a Toyota Camry pulled out of the driveway, and out was Aisha. She automatically walked to the passenger's seat. "Hey, there girl!" Aisha hugged her tightly, returning the hug. "How are you hanging?"

Violet questioned, "I have been well I guess. Being stuck in a house for four days kinda sucks." She was reminded about the dangerous crime that she was lucky she survived to tell the truth. Violet felt her chest tightened as she has visions flashing right in her eyes.

"I'm sorry for asking that question, it must have been very hard for you." Aisha sympathizes. Violet stayed silent and started to move already, heading to the repair shop in town. She opened the car window and felt the cold air of the majestic mountains of Montana, smelling the whimsical air of spring.

"The scent of Montana is much too intoxicating."Violet exclaimed, looking at the beautiful majestic mountains that this state has much graced from heaven to earth. "Montana is a beautiful sight to be in," Aisha replied back to her exclamation. As she admired the view, the car came to a halt, when they arrived at the repair shop. She got out of her seat and grabbed onto the brown bag, wrapped tightly was the music box.

"Aisha," Violet called her name, "can you accompany me?" She felt her voice croak a little, like asking for a bully to stop bullying someone. "Yeah, I can accompany you." She got out of the car and escorted to the front door of the repair shop. There was only silence upon entering what it seems to be an abandoned shop, with the bell from the door rings. "Hello? Is anyone there?" She called out. Then a man in his late 40s came out, with thick circular rimmed glasses on his face, wrinkles on his forehead and yet a friendly demeanor that he displayed to any customer that he would come across.

"Hello there, how can I help you?" He questioned in a soft yet serious tone. "Hi there, I would like something to be fixed." Violet said, taking out the music box out. "Can you fix this?"

He looked at the box with much scrutiny, "how long did you have this?"

"This has been passed down for many generations now. The sound is the things that needs fixing." Violet explained. He gave out a small smile, "is it the only thing that you need fixing?" She nodded no and he started to get working with the box. "How long would it take for you to finish up the music box?"

"It would take 5 hours, you can come back later in the afternoon or much later, then you pay me for the labor." He explained. Violet walked out of the store along with Aisha to the car. Now she is done with the first thing on the list, now she has no idea what to do now. "What do you want to do?" Violet said, laughing half heartedly.

There was some silence for a little while. "You know Yellowstone National Park is actually a 45 minute or hour drive from Big Sky, if you want to, we can go there." Aisha explained. Violet was quite hesitant at first, but in the end, she wants to get out of town for a little while. Maybe an adventure wouldn't really hurt. "Okay, let's go to Yellowstone then!" She replied back, with a wide grin on her face prominent on Aisha's face. "Perfect! I have so many places that it's a total must around here!" She exclaimed. She started her car and speeds away through the road and into the highway.

The sun was high and bright, with no signs of coming down anytime soon. The cool spring air cuts through her black and brown hair. Birches and firs all color the Montana wilderness of light green and touches of yellow inside. Violet breathes in the air, a hint of woody scent of larches and the great open plains of the poo. Yes poo, she can smell excrements somewhere in the wilderness, making her gag out of disgust.

"Are you okay there?" Aisha laughed at Violet, trying to choke out the scent of her mouth. "I smell poo in the Great Plains here!" She continued to cough and all the while Aisha is laughing at her. "I guess this is your first time going to the plains like this?" She questioned, making Violet nod. "I have never such pungent smell of poo around Montana, imagine around the summer time, it would be disgusting!"

The car was filled with laughters and Violet seemed to be more at ease and thought of her recurring nightmares with little ease. By then, they have arrived at Yellowstone National Park and she sees, in her assumption, tourists coming into the park. A vast amount of trees covered the whole of Yellowstone and was ready to get exploring. "We're just gonna go around the park, the most visited places here." Aisha said. She grabbed her bag from the trunk of her car and is ready to go.

Violet looked around the majestic scene, despite the changes that the planet has gone through so much, it's still the same. The sun is at an all time high, her whole body starts to warm up as time progresses. They walked around the park, such sights like the Grand Prismatic Spring, with it's blue-green gradient waters, smoke of geysers and volcanoes emanating a distinct smell of strong salt, to the Old Faithful, a powerful geyser waiting for the water to spew up in the sky.

It was a magical phenomenon that she has witnessed, and something that she will never forget. They continued to explore around the park, and while talking about Violet's progression of Althea's case. "She writes about her daily life and her encounters with death itself," Violet explained, "not only that, while I cleaned the garage, there were stacks of letters all tied together, and flyers promoting a group that she was a part of."

They took a break, sitting down at a picnic table all the while over looking at the river below them. "A group you say? What does she do?" Aisha questions, as she relaxes herself. "Granny Lou told me that she is in a Vaudeville world. I would imagine her to be doing theatrical shows, but I never expect her to start out this young."

"Where do you want to go from there, a solid plan?" Aisha questioned, making Violet scratching at the back of her neck. "To be very honest with you, when I came back to Montana after a decade, I hated to stay over at Granny Lou's home, but ever since I saw the journal, and everything else that happened, it greatly changed everything for me," She explained, "if everything starts to clear up for me then I would have to travel around. I think it would benefit me to know myself but to at least get the closure for my family."

Aisha nodded agreeably, "Whatever your needs may be Violet, I'm sure Granny Lou and I would be there to support you." She gave her a great big hug and Violet shared the gesture to her. It was nice to have someone who knows supports her in time like this. "I brought the journal and I was wondering if you want a lending ear?" She asked and Aisha immediately agreed to the offer.

Violet went through her bag and grabbed hold of the dark patina journal. She unraveled the bindings of the closed book, and opened the page of where they left off at the story. "It's been weeks since the trial happened, a total mishap perhaps," Violet read aloud, "I was always around Edward and got to see him work not only as a detective, albeit a decent partner to be with, but a competent prosecutor."

(POV Althea.)

The jury unanimously ruled that Mr. Carter is found guilty on charge of conspiracy to kill me and owning a brothel in an almost residential area. How many years in prison you may ask? 16 years behind bars. The case is closed for Irene Adiamak and Arnold Smith, finally some peace of justice that has been served, and Mrs. Adiamak invited me to the funeral of her daughter. It was a hot summer day and tears overflowed around us, and even I, almost teared up with the whole procession, it hit too hard for my guarded heart. But something had been bothering me so much though, I have noticed that there were many missing girls around the area, it can't be a coincidence that they are on the rise for only one year.

Jennifer was no longer handling the apartment complex anymore and it has been taken over by the name of Ida Ainsworth. We finally decided as a whole of the tenants in this complex to take up on the offer that Edward has given us and has given us in what I assumed to be in her late 30 to 40s. The presence of her wrinkles and grey hair were prominent to dear Ida, and to top it off, she had on a high collared dress and a well maintained quiff, a stuck up Edwardian lady.

Her personality is quite the opposite to what she displays herself, an unusual character with strange habits that I would find myself questioning myself, but she was nonetheless a woman with a sense of discipline and harmless enough. I introduced myself to her and we ended up having tea at her office and showed her porcelain dolls off to me, deathless and devoid of anything that is left of them.

It was June 27th and it was like any summer morning, I can feel the smell of hot gasoline lingering through the air. I looked at my bedside table, the letter that I'm planning to write mama and papa. Last week they sent me a letter asking me how I was and everything going on with me. I haven't seen them ever since I graduated back in May and Emilie, she's going to be in high school and almost the time where she turns into a young woman in 4 years, time just goes by like a wind. I'll have to write them back soon after work.

As usual I get ready for the day, eating my breakfast and dressing up in all yellow with a touch of white. Chief Traver apparently has a new case that he wants me to be assigned, this better be worth.I look at my jewelry collection, the encrusted diamonds, large spherical pearl strands and my colorful gemstone that could make a rainbow, I have hard time picking out which is my favorite. I examined in wonder, playing along with hands which to wear on my neck. Then I looked at my other box and when opening it, two figurines started to dance around to the music, Gymnopédie No. 1 by Erik Satie, a wonderful French composer. Then it caught my eye, a light yellow diamond beaming right at me. I grabbed it out of the little music box and wore it on my ears, examining it left and right for validity to suit my outfit today, and it did the trick. I applied some makeup on my face, a touch of rouge on my cheeks and lips, and darkened my eyelashes with some petroleum jelly and black pigment. I smiled at myself and got ready to get out of the house. I grab my keys, my shiny new badge, some make up, gun and some bullet casing, perfume and placed it on my bag, before heading out of the work.

The hot summer air hits me immediately when I exit out of the apartment complex. The smell makes it worse as the humidity is making my nose go blind if I inhale any further. Once I arrive at the station, at least the place smells much decent than outside. I punched in my time card and quickly headed up the stairs, where I found a vacant restroom to wipe the sweat off my body and spray my perfume, a strong aromatic gardenia with a hint of citrus to it. I sighed in perpetual satisfaction and exited out of there.

I sat down at my seat and got straight to work, sitting down to get some paperwork down and other things. But as time progresses, it is inevitable that the heat is starting to bother me. They don't have any ice coolers or even refrigerators for that matter. I sigh as I remove my bolero off me, and return to work. But then I felt a shove in on my shoulder, making me react swiftly to who it was

"What's wrong with you!" I yelled, brushing it off. "Put your jacket on!" My coworker angrily demanded, having a questionable look on him. "Excuse me, aren't you hot from wearing that long sleeved shirt and jacket on? Do you have a reason for me to put my jacket on?" I questioned, knowing full well what they are talking about. My hands are curled up in a fist and I'm ready to get into a fist.

"Detective Althea Hammerstein," Chief Traver called in a booming tone, "in my office now!" My mood has finally ruined and the lingering mind that whatever I do would land me into some trouble or even fired from the force. I entered his office and in the corner of my eyes, Edward Dean has graced his presence.

"So why is Mr. Dean here?" I questioned. "Well Althea, you are working together with Prosecutor Dean. It would be imperative to get started on this case immediately." Of course Chief Traver didn't answer my question, just dismissing them, "The perpetrators are a husband and wife duo, and their motive remains unknown to why they steal." But all I could think about is why on earth would he be assigned on this case here.

We both exited out of the office and immediately get my bag and other things from my desk. "Let's get going, I want to get this started with." I said, slipping on my bolero around my shoulders. "Oh doll, why such the hurry?" He carelessly declared. "The more we slow ourselves, we are taking away precious time to find these criminals and bring them to justice." With a snarky reply. We exit the police station and I see his bright white Mercedes parked out, isn't he afraid of getting stolen.

He opened the car door and closed it as I entered inside for me. I looked around inside the interior of the car, he takes good care of it at least, I foresaw Dean would be clean but it was immaculate. He entered and as the sun shined on him, the colors of his eyes had become prominent, discarding the green in them, only golden bright amber stones. I sat down comfortably and I examined the place around me, and the first thing I saw was a rosary painted in red.

"Where did you obtain this?" I questioned, picking it from the little hole that it was placed. "My parents gave it to me when I was three years old. They were devoted Catholics, and I too, to this day, devoted to God," He smiled as he talked about his belief, "how about you? Are you Catholic?"

"I'm Catholic," I reply to his question, "I thought you would be an agnostic theist, after all, you studied in Harvard, which might've exposed you to philosophical matters of life and death, and the question of the realities of God itself." A smirk formed on his lips, a spark of interest in his eyes. "Harvard population isn't all atheist or agnostic theist, don't assume that people who go to a certain institution are automatically this personality or they automatically associated with this part of the community. Try not to jump into conclusions about who they are."

I chuckled lightly, "well I'm sorry for assuming that, I didn't mean to offend you that way." I said. It was silent for a second when all of the sudden, breathing in, where I smelled the dirty scent of gasoline. I grab inside of my bag, rummaging through, where I found my perfume bottle. I sprayed it around my arms, neck and face. I finally smelled the sweet gardenia and hint of citrus in me, such a beautiful scent. Then the car stopped immediately at the stoplight. "Your perfume," He all of the sudden said, "where did you get it?"

"I got it from the Philippines, my mom's side of the family sends me every once in a while." I explain. There was a pause for a second, as if something struck him by the scent itself, though nothing was coming through his mouth, flushed red face says it all. "Why do you ask?"

Then he springs back to his old self, made self aware about his reminiscing the past it seems, "oh nothing, the scent reminded me of something from my youth." Edward Dean is the most bizarre man that I have ever interacted and worked with in my whole life, how did I ever get this so unlucky to be working with a prosecutor and detective.

There was silence again in the car and it went on until we finally arrived at Queens. From what i can see, it's more but not crowded back in the city.We both got out of the car and began with our first victim, a family of three. "Their names are Petra and Martin Goltz. They have three sons, 18 year old high school student, Otto, 13 year old, Elias, and the youngest, Walter," he briefed me their names, "they gave us somewhat a vague description of what happened to them, but we have more people to interview." While walking around, I scanned around, trying to get the mood around me. A somewhat clean sidewalk, cars coming back and forth, and finally children handing out newspapers. "Fresh newspapers from New York Times! Fresh new papers for only 10 cents!" He yelled. We both came up to him and the headlines are shown about a new show that they would be showing in Staten Island. And the name is shown is Florencia Lee. I smirked at the show here, "it's cancelled." I muttered.

"Would you like to buy one Miss?" He questioned. "No its-"

"I would like to take one, how much is it boy?" He asked and responded 10 cents. He took a one dollar and whispered something in his ears, which made him crack up a smile. "Thank you sir!" He exclaimed. "No problem kid." He ruffled his head and went to our merry ways. I looked at him, "what did you tell him Mr. Dean?"

"Nothing in particular, I told him to take a break and get a candy bar for himself," He said, "and don't call me Mr. Dean. Edward would suffice." I sigh, "alright then, Edward." We continued to walk along the road. I looked around me with trees high up, green hues to it. My body is burning up from the heat and it's barely the afternoon. I removed my bolero again, placing it around my shoulder instead. The summer breeze swept between my hairs as I felt the wild hairs about to come off from this wind.

"I overheard the mates there were threatening you." He suddenly spoke up, making me look at him. "Yeah, they shoved me off but I'm used to it." I replied matter of fact. "Don't mind them, they're just jealous that you're doing much better," He crossed his arms, "they're bastards who have the whole time in the world to be lazy motherfuckers."

I smirked at him, "really? Are you jealous of what I've done?" He looked at me briefly and chuckled, "no, I'm not jealous. I'm just a prosecutor who happens to be a detective like you. I think it's promising to have women to acquire opportunities like these, the world is starting to progress the way I like it." We both stopped at the stoplight and I looked at him, the shining brown eyes, you can never tell if he is telling the truth or not. I fully see why he did become a prosecutor. Aside from being a great orator and telling very factual statements to the court and the jury, he has this charismatic charm, anything he says, the sweet words to make your heart race to pitching an idea that could change the world, he can persuade everyone, it's quite dangerous.

Then I looked at my peripheral vision that it turned to the emerald green, making us go forward. "Where did you get those earrings?" He asked, admiring the diamonds sparkling brightly. "Someone gave it to me, why are you always curious about my life?" I questioned.

He can only shrug, "I can't be the one telling all of my life stories to you. I would like to get to know you more. The only thing that I know is that you graduated top of the class in University of Pennsylvania, the first woman in an all male graduating class." I was quite shocked about how he knows where I went to school but I guess everyone would have known where I went to. "Well I was born of the recently new state of New Mexico, and moved up to a little town in Big Sky, Montana"

He can only nod to what I said and I'm starting to regret talking to him about my boring life. "What's life like there? Like I said, I am very curious to get to know you." He flashed a small smile at me. "There's nothing to do in a small town. You know your neighbors and the kids grew up with you. I grew up in a farm and I know bouts of how to wrangle cattle and carry the feed to their feeders. Life there is peaceful and mundane, you get to do anything there." I explained in detail. "How about you? Lived in New York all your life?"

"Yes, born and raised in the Hamptons. I always yearned for life like yours, but I guess my parents, especially my father, had high expectations. I had that thought for a while. Maybe when I have a free schedule, I would love to travel to the snowy caps of the north." I was reminded again of my home, it would be nice to go back to Montana. The wind swept blissfully in the air, I never realized that he didn't turn out to be an asshole like all elitists that I have come to know. The more I got to look at him in his, something from him, that he didn't say.

Then we finally reached the Goltz residence. Small townhouse just as identical as everyone around the neighborhood. I walked up the stairs and knocked on their door, there was no answer. I tried again and nothing. I took a deep breath and the third time to knock on the door again.

I heard him sigh, "well we can come back tomorrow." Edward was ready to leave, but I yanked his jacket, stopping in his place. "We are not leaving until we get to talk to one of them. It wouldn't hurt to wait a bit longer?" He can only sigh, "fine then." he declared. I pounded on the door and yelled, "police open up!"

I looked back at Edward with a shocked look on his face, and it worked, where it opened to disheveled hair and his shirt opened up with lipstick marks around the neck, a dirty cheater he was. "We are from the New York Police Department. My name is Detective Althea Hammerstein and this is Detective Edward Dean. We are here to conduct an interview about the reports of robbery in this area," I explained, "unless you are busy."

"Oh no, I am not busy," He laughed halfheartedly, "please come in." We entered his home and I was surprised to see a woman, seeing another woman with bite marks all over her body. "Oh! Who is this woman?" I questioned, knowing full well that she is not Mr. Goltz's wife. Judging from her appearance, she would have to be a domestic worker, a maid perhaps. Typical for midlife men to be going through phase, an innate thirst for someone youthful and beautiful like her.

"Oh I'm just Martin's good friend." She carelessly replied back, giggling at that thought.

In my corner of my eyes, I see that Edward is taken aback with what is happening. "Will she be sticking around for this interview, I think it would be better for her to leave, this is confidential information that we will be discussing."I respectfully asserted myself. There was a periodic silence, I don't think that his 'friend' would like to leave just I want to respectfully say that to her.

"I would hate that Mrs. Goltz would like to come into this sudden interview with your friend here," I smiled sweetly back at his friend, "what's your choice?" There was a periodic silence, "Thank you for wasting our time here, we have other witnesses around here who would have more information to us than you here, Edward, let's leave this vicinity immediately."

I got up from the sofa, and exited out of the house, a total nuisance that they have the time to be having a grand old time in bed and his wife is out to god knows where and his mistress, she didn't even listen to my command. "Where are we going?" I questioned, in annoyance. "The next place we are going is farther here, Bedford-Stuyvesant." He replied back.

I nodded and we continued to walk until I heard my stomach grumble a little. "You know, we should take a break. I can't really function on an empty stomach" He chuckled to himself. I sighed, finally food to get then.

Edward knew a restaurant in Queens, specifically an Irish restaurant, that would fill our stomachs and get through the whole day. I doubt that he would find what I would like to eat. We looked over the menu and I have never heard, let alone seen the dishes that were listed on the menu list. "Do you see what you like?" Edward questioned. "What would you recommend?" I said.

"Either an Irish stew or their smoked salmon." He said swiftly. "Then I'll have the stew then." I replied back. He signaled a nearby waiter and ordered the stew and boxty, which I have no clue what it is. I was still very upset with what I saw back at Goltz residence, what a waste of precious time.

"Are you still thinking about what happened?" he questioned. "Did you read my mind? If you are then, that's morbid of you to be doing." I declared. "Well, I can't stop thinking about what you did there." He sipped on his hot coffee. "I have the itch to call her a bitch, but I had to restrain myself." I laughed at myself, which Edward did too.

The food was served on our table and the smell of stew felt so familiar to me. I took my spoon and then one sip of the creaminess of it and everything that I felt from my prior feelings, had disappeared, I didn't think about anything else, it's just me and the scrumptious lamb that I had ever tasted in life.

"My, have you gone feral?" Edward asked, making me look at him. "No, I happened to enjoy this particular dish that they made here."

"And the women I knew,they only eat one to two spoonfuls, and they are considered to be done for their lunch!" He exclaimed. I was annoyed when he said that, "Well I think they were head over themselves to be thinking people below them." I continued to feast upon this stew and before you know it, I am already full from it.

"I didn't think you would impress me with that but thank you for the food."

He chuckled lightly, "no problem, at least you get to experience authentic Irish food here."

Edward paid for the food and we walked out of the restaurant, continuing with the walk to our next destination. It was silent again, only hearing the cold wind whispering in my ear. "So what do you think about Mr. Goltz's friend." He suddenly asked.

"I think she is a nice lady. Young and beautiful, pity that she decided to be a mistress of a married man." I said, looking at my fingers, "they are very bold to show off their forbidden romance right in front of us, so reckless, and she didn't even care if they are found out."

I saw him smirk at him, "My, have you ever had that experience before?" He asked, making me laugh. I nodded at the question, "not really, but I do see people around my town who are involved with extramarital affairs. Some are very experienced and some aren't, but at the end of the day, the mistress can't be the number one to a man's heart, they're just trash just thrown away."

I recounted my memories of my time as a girl who impresses the large crowds. I see many of my friends were involved with married men, so recklessly going out with them in public and showering with such affections that passerbys would murmur to others. I have learned three things from just observations.

1. You are replaceable.

2. Illusions of sweet promises lead to disappointment and anger.

3. Discard all thoughts of a perfect fairytale ending.

"How about you? Have you ever been involved with other women like that one girl in your office?" I inquire. "Doll, I love talking to other women, and also being involved with them. But in the end, we would have a mutual agreement of not seeing each other." He defended himself.

Time went by like a blur, as we went to the remaining houses, and their accounts tell two different stories.

We arrive back to the precinct and examine the testimonies that they are have given us. Discussions aside, the more we unravel the story, my head is screaming of total agony. "They only give us the description of the activities that transpired between the designated second and third robberies," I said, looking at the heaping amounts of evidence that we were presented. "We should've interviewed Mr. Goltz, he is literally the missing piece to what happen."

I sigh out of frustration looking at the heaping amounts of evidence that we have, footprints that we trace over, the photograph that we took, and the list of things that were missing from them. We continued to examine what we have present and it still bothers me that I didn't interview him. Stupid me, I should've been more lenient or turned a blind eye, but no, I decided to lose my temper in front of them. "We could try again tomorrow." Edward with such optimism. The warm basking sun start to set down, that I can only admire.

"Can I open your windows? I questioned and in turn, he nodded.

I open the window up and the disgusting scent of the New York air has calm down. I climb out of his office space and admire the view up close. I was then reminded of many times that me and Emile would look at every sunset and sunrise back in Montana. I hum sweet tune from the top of my head and I heard Edward coming out with me. It was silent for the both of us, the sounds of cars passing by below. I can feel the sweet smell of my own perfume, the summer perfume to fit the season. "You know," I speak up from this awkward moment, "I got to know you more now and it has changed since starting to work with you." I said.

"Oh what are your assumptions?" He turned to face me. "Many things to assume when meeting a Harvard educated men! Posh, pretentious and a snob to put it lightly." I replied in a forward manner. He snickered at my comment, "But after what you mentioned to me back in the car, it changed drastically after some realizations that you aren't what I painted in my mind of what you would be."

"You are good man, one of a few officers who uphold such a high moral belief and I find that admirable." He laughed again, and gave the most sincere smile that a man could ever offer. "I'm glad that you think of me like that doll."

(Violet)

"That's the end?" Aisha question. "Seems like it." Violet replied to the question. The night was coming quickly and completely forgot that they have to pick up her music box. The sun was setting down and all she could imagine is what Althea's time was like of her youth. Did it smell like the fresh scent of spring, lush green trees standing erect and admiring the view up here. As she was lost in her own thoughts, she bumped into someone.

"I'm so sorry!" Violet apologized, gathering that has been drop down on the ground. "Don't worry about it." He replied back. She looked up to him and smiled uncomfortably. "Sorry, I have to get going." Violet excused herself as she didn't want to embarrass herself any further. She catches up to Aisha and she glued to was a smug smirk plastered. "Who is that guy you bumped into,"She questioned, "what's his name?"

"I didn't ask of him." Violet had the sudden realization, when looking back he was already gone from where they bumped into each other. "Shit, I forgot to ask." She was mad at herself for not asking the simple question of any social interaction ever. Aisha teased Violet about her little slip up, it didn't really ruin her whole day.It was a beautiful way to end the night, and is ready to knock herself down to bed. As they near to Big Sky town, it seemed that cars were not seen passing by. Violet was anxious to get out of the car due to it's eerie vibe that it gives off. So many things were running through her head, "deep breath don't think about it."

Aisha parked at the sidewalk and both exit out of their cars and entering to the repair shop. It was dead silent, as expected when no customers are coming this dark. "Hello?" Violet greeted, but there was silence. "Hello?" But there was no response coming back. Door was wide open, so she tried to look at the back.

"Violet what are you doing?" Asked Aisha. "Checking the back." Violet ventured forth, worried that something might have happened to the poor man. And she did had the right to be, as soon as she walked in, horror took over her and the mere thought of death right in front of her."Aisha, call the police." The tremble from her voice. She simply cannot comprehend what is going on in front of her. Violet looked back to see the same reaction given to Aisha.

Both cautiously investigate the dead body and the written words of YOU ARE NEXT painted his whole body with his blood. "Did you call the police?" She questioned again, in which Aisha did. Violet took her music box, left with no bloodstained markings and immediately placed it on her small bag.

Once officers started arriving to the scene, people crowding around the place who is the next victim again. Violet can only put her head down, to avoid everyone from looking at her face. "Are you alright?" They questioned. She can only nod in response, and wonder if she was next? The incident is still haunting her, and it seems to be that no one in the police are doing anything for her case.

Violet can only wonder if she has to take any action to end not only her nightmare but to save everyone from this endless fear happening.

To be continued.

Epilogue: Sunrise.

***Recommend Songs: Sunrise By Ben & Ben.***

July 4, 1914.

"Emile." Althea quietly whispered. "Emile Bette Hammerstein."

"What ate?" Emile rubbed her eyes out and it was only night. "Wanna look at the sunrise?"

"Sunrise? Are we climbing up the rooftop?" Emile said making Althea nod no. "Wanna go to Yellowstone?" It only took one nod from her sweet little sister, and they headed out of the house. She swiftly grab their things to what they need for their little trip, blankets, satchels and unfortunately, a gun at her side, in case something or someone tries to hurt either her or Emile. Quietly and swiftly exited out of the house and headed to the stables, where it housed several horses that her and father had used for days work of wrangling cows around the ranch.

Althea can only smile upon meeting her pride and joy, Aurora, a beautiful Andalusian horse with its dark brown coating to the long mane and tail, she meant everything to her. She quickly got her ready for the run out of town and looking at the sky, morning was running quickly than she had anticipated. Althea carried Emile and sat her down in front, and she ride at the back. Grabbing her reigns tightly, she controlled Aurora out of the stables, immediately galloping out to the total pitch of darkness, route to Yellowstone National Park. It was still pitch dark so Emile held the lantern by her side.

"Do you think we can make it," Emile asked worryingly, "it's a long way from here."Althea scoffed at her, "Aurora is the fastest mare in all of Montana, we will make it there I can promise you that cherie" She can only hold her little sister tightly, the speed of her horse is as fast as the wind.

It felt that this whole ride was forever a, now sign in sight of the park, but finally they have managed to arrive at Yellowstone on time. There were no guards around this time, so they jumped over the fence and a loud thud scared the living hell out of Emile. Althea pulled the reigns to slow Aurora down and tie her up in a post somewhere. They grab their blankets and other miscellaneous things from their satchel and trekked up the hills.

Emile yawned loudly, waking this early in the morning to see a sunrise. "Ate are we there yet?" She questioned. "Not yet dear Emile, but we are almost there. Want me to carry?" She teased. Emile pouted at the response, "no I'm almost 13, not longer a little girl that you see me as."

"Oh Emile, I'll always see you as a little girl who needs protecting. I love you too much in this world to see your hurt." She kissed her softly on her forehead and finally they arrive at the spot here. Both place the blanket on the ground and it was a perfect time to see the sunrise from here.

They can see the sun up now, the bright sun brightly dazzling this new day. Althea can only sigh at the sight and the sound of the river flowing through the whole park. All she can think about is the future, would everything that she can see with her eyes and Emile as her witness, be here? Everything here, the place that she grew up, will it all be gone as she goes on in life? By around 6, the sun is bright and early, for Althea, she was more content to see this again and again.