ANASTASIA:The revelation hit me like a sledgehammer, crashing into my world like a cataclysmic storm. The Devil was my stalker!The insidious information I had unearthed left me grappling with fear that threatened to set root in the depths of my heart for all eternity.For months, I had struggled with clear dreams and a mysterious, ghostly figure. At first, I thought it was just someone following me, a common story I'd heard in many local news reports. I was no stranger to the dangers of obsession, and I had shared my concerns with David, who had recently installed an array of security cameras around my house. These vigilant guards allowed me to survey the entire mansion, every nook and cranny. I had initially thought I was dealing with an infatuated admirer. But it never once crossed my mind that this could be the mysterious psychopathic killer relentlessly hunted by the CIA.Terror welled up within me, consuming my thoughts. What had I done to draw his attention? Was I the next victim in his sinister game, or was he merely toying with me?When I confided in Lara about the person stalking me, she casually dismissed my fears, attributing them to my beauty. She shared stories from romance novels where the stalker and their obsession ended up living a happy life. However, the realization that my stalker wasn't an ordinary person, someone who might express affection with roses or romantic gestures, sent shivers down my spine."I'm sorry I didn't believe it at first," David apologized. "But I promise, this time, I'll catch him before he reaches you again." David tried to console me, but I knew, that no matter how many cameras or guards, this man could come and go wherever he pleased.To catch him, I had to play the part of his prey. So be it. If it meant moving closer to the truth, I would do it.Making a plan in my head, I waited for his next visit. But it had been almost three days since I learned about his identity, and there was no sign of him yet. But I doubt that by now he knew that I have come to know about it identity and I wonder if this would make any difference.I had hoped he might have forgotten about me or found a new obsession.Strange encounters left me confused. Every midnight at exactly 12:00, my camera turned off for five minutes, and every morning I woke up with a feeling that he had visited me at night. I tried to stay awake to catch him, but alas, I always felt really sleepy after a delicious dinner made by Robert, missing the opportunity and getting knocked out before it was 12:00.Although it could be a possibility that it's just in my mind, as I haven't seen him in the last month, it could be otherwise. ****Despite the overwhelming fear and turmoil that had taken residence within me, I persisted in my mission, my senses perpetually attuned to any potential threat.I delved further into my research on the mysterious death of Aurora Romano, a case from LarksVille High School that dated back three years.Oliver, Mia, Tony, Blakely, Kevin, and Shawn had all been students of LarksVille High at the time, and I couldn't help but wonder if this could hold the key to unlocking the mysteries that surrounded them.The files David had shared with me about Aurora proved unhelpful, as Sheriff Hampton barely had any good reports on the case. It was mostly rough data that could lead nowhere. That is when I noticed a page missing!I dedicated the next three hours to my laptop, relentlessly sifting through the data and internet articles.Frustration simmered as my endeavours yielded nothing substantial. "Urgh," I sighed in frustration. It was almost ten thirty, and it was time for my dinner. Robert had made my favourite Mughlai cuisine, and I couldn't wait to dive in.As I was about to shut down the research for the day, I received an unexpected text, originating from an unknown number.I frowned. Who could this be?Curiosity gnawed at me relentlessly, my inquisitive nature getting the better of my rational judgment. I opened the message from the unidentified sender and was confronted with a single, intriguing link.What is this for?My fingers danced with trepidation as I clicked it. I finally found the information I had been searching for all along – The missing details about Aurora Romano.Mystery Brutal Case of Sommerville of 2020:Aurora Romano, a high school senior, met a tragic end near Edenfell Woods on a Saturday evening. She was found dead on a secluded road connecting LarksVille to Harrington, Virginia, used mainly for transportation services.Aurora had recently moved from Texas High to LarksVille High, living with the Simpsons, who worked at Marroni Mansions. Despite her good record in Texas, reports showed a decline in her behaviour at her new school, involving alcohol, drugs, and seduction of high-society students. She had also associated with people outside her age group.Her lifeless body, discovered in the forest, showed signs of severe abuse, suggesting a gruesome end. Jackson Simpson, Aurora's best friend, fled after her death but was later found near Evelyn Creek.Due to a lack of concrete leads, both cases were closed. No evidence of external threats was found, leaving the possibility that the teenagers had become involved with criminal elements as an unsettling speculation.Cases closed.As I concluded my reading of the report, an unsettling feeling washed over me. The chilling details of Aurora's tragic end left me with more questions than answers. It was evident that sinister forces were at play, and the abrupt closure of the cases only served to deepen the mystery.****The melodic chime of the bell announced my arrival as the imposing gates swung open, and I found myself standing at the threshold of the Marroni Mansions, just two days after sorting out all the reports with David.Though he was supposed to be with me, David had a meeting with the CIA in Harrington this morning, and I couldn't delay my visit."Miss Brown, what a pleasant surprise!" Mr. Marroni greeted me with a soft smile as he descended the grand staircase. However, beneath his veneer of hospitality, a subtle hint of skepticism lingered in his eyes."I'm sorry for arriving unannounced, Mr. Marroni, but I've come seeking some answers," I replied with a note of determination in my voice. I was fully aware of the long-standing rivalry between my father's Alpha Group and the Morrionis', yet my father had always managed to maintain the upper hand, whether due to his business success or his influential role as the town's mayor's friend.Mr. Marroni, impeccably dressed in his well-tailored suit, showed no sign of unease, though his brows furrowed slightly. We took our seats, facing each other. "Of course, Miss Brown. How can I assist you?"Whenever I felt nervous, I had a habit of fidgeting with my nails, and today was no exception. Uncertainty gnawed at me, but I pressed on. "I've been looking for Dakota Simpson, one of your former maids," I said hesitantly. "Could you please tell me where she is?"Mr. Marroni's expression turned stoic, and his intense gaze bore into me. He took a deep breath before responding. "Miss Brown," he began, his voice measured, "Mrs. Simpson was indeed a former employee at Marroni Mansion. After her daughter's tragic passing, she left her position, and her whereabouts remain unknown."Both of us rose from our seats, and it was evident that I hadn't received the answers I sought. With a polite farewell, Mr. Marroni escorted me to the door.As I stepped out of the Marroni estate, a heavy sense of failure weighed on me. I had been so close to cracking the case, yet it had eluded my grasp. Frustration gnawed at my insides, and my determination only intensified.My footsteps carried me away from the mansion, but a voice called out my name, halting me in my tracks. "Anastasia?"Turning around, I was surprised to find Hardin. The same boy I had watched getting bullied by Oliver and his gang a few weeks back.****After three firm knocks on the door, the sound of approaching footsteps reached my ears. The lock clicked, and the door inched open, revealing the cautious face of a middle-aged woman peering from inside. Her skin bore the traces of a rich tan, and her curly hair framed a face etched with a palpable sense of loneliness and sorrow."Who are you, child?" the woman asked, her voice tinged with a mix of curiosity and weariness. My heart went out to her. I took a deep breath, steadying my nerves. "Mrs. Simpson?" I inquired softly, my eyes searching her face for confirmation that I had found the right person.****Dakota gently offered a cup of coffee as we both settled into the cozy confines of her small house on the outskirts of LarksVille. The aroma of the freshly brewed coffee wafted through the air, wrapping us in a comforting embrace."It's been a while since I had any visitors," the old woman remarked, her voice tinged with a hint of apology. "So, please pardon the state of the house."I smiled warmly, appreciating the simple beauty of the home. "No need to worry," I reassured Dakota. "I'm here to ask you just a few questions, Mrs. Simpson."Dakota's brows furrowed in curiosity and perhaps a touch of apprehension. "Questions? What kind of questions?" she inquired."About your daughter, Jackson, and her friend, Aurora," I replied gently but firmly. The mention of those names sent shockwaves through Dakota's body, causing her to react involuntarily. With a sudden noise, the cup she was holding slipped from her grasp, shattering into a million pieces on the floor."Mrs. Simpson!" My voice was filled with concern as I hurried over to Dakota's side. "Are you all right?" I asked, my eyes reflecting genuine worry.Dakota took a moment to compose herself, her eyes still glistening with emotions long suppressed. She sighed deeply and then met my gaze. "It's been three years since I heard their names," she said softly. She looked at me with a mix of curiosity and trepidation. "What do you want to ask about them?"I leaned in closer, my curiosity piqued. "What exactly happened?"Dakota took a deep breath as if summoning the strength to recount the painful memories. "Everything," she began. "Jackson had just entered her senior year that year. Despite being a maid's daughter, she was always ahead in terms of studies compared to her fellow batchmates." Intrigued by the story, I listened quietly, absorbing every word.Dakota continued, "It all started when she visited this camp in Texas." Her voice trailed off as if remembering something unpleasant. "She met Aurora Romano."My interest grew. "And then what happened?""They became friends and then eventually became best friends," Dakota explained. "Aurora was an orphan living with one of her caretakers there. Jackson and Aurora became inseparable in just two weeks, and Aurora almost rebelled and ran away from Texas to LarksVille." She paused, her eyes misty with emotion. "I took her in. She was a lovely girl with bright eyes, sunshine hair, and the prettiest smile."Dakota's voice wavered as she continued, "We were happy. They joined high school, and everything started happening after that."I couldn't help but ask, "What exactly happened at the high school?"I sat in Dakota's modest home, her words washing over me with waves of anger and sorrow. Her voice trembled as she recounted the torment inflicted on Aurora."She had caught the eye of the most powerful bullies in town," Dakota began, her voice quivering with emotion. "They hated her for being beautiful and intelligent. Day by day, they broke her with torture beyond imagination. Some days she would come home with bruises, and on other days, her eyes would be vacant, devoid of any emotions. Sometimes, she wouldn't speak at all and would record videos on her phone."My determination pushed me to ask further, "Did she send those videos to anyone?"Dakota's reply was heavy with uncertainty. "I have no idea, dear," she replied. "She had a brother who never came to see her. I have no idea who he is. But yes, I heard her cry at night, and sometimes she would wake up with nightmares."I leaned in, my heart racing with anticipation. "Who? Who did this to her? Do you know their names?"Dakota's head shook slowly, leaving me with a sense of frustration. "She never told me their names," she admitted. "I only found out one name from Jackson one day."My curiosity surged as I pressed on, "Who was it?""Mia Edwin," Dakota replied, the words hanging in the air. The confirmation of Mia's involvement in Aurora's torment boiled my blood in anger.Despite the raw emotion in the room, my voice remained gentle as I asked the next question, my eyes filled with empathy. "What happened to her exactly? How did she die?"Tears welled in Dakota's eyes as she recalled the painful details. "She had been targeted," she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper. "She knew they were coming after her. And that evening, she went to report all of this to the police. After that day, she never came back."A heavy silence filled the room as Dakota's tears flowed freely. Though she wasn't Aurora's biological mother, she had loved the girl as her own child.I listened intently, determined to piece together the puzzle of what had happened to Aurora.I sighed. But in my mind, I promised myself to seek justice for everyone who suffered all these years. Giving a soft squeeze in Dakota's hand I softly asked, "And then?"Dakota's sobs echoed in the room as she continued her painful narrative. "Then Jackson was determined to find Aurora. She went outside alone, and she never came back."****Dakota has been living alone since then. And she told me, how she believes that no matter what justice will be served. She is living for that day.Moved by the woman's anguish, I stood and extended my hand for a small shake. "Thank you, Mrs. Simpson, for sharing this with me."Dakota looked up through her tears, gratitude shining in her eyes. "Oh, I should be thanking you," she managed to say amidst her emotions. "Finally, people are trying to uncover the truth."My brows furrowed with curiosity. "Did someone come here before me?" I asked.The old woman took a moment to recollect, her memory frail. "Oh, I couldn't particularly remember. But I guess a gentleman and a young girl came here to ask about Aurora and Jackson a few days ago."I leaned in, my hope dangling by a thread. "Do you remember who they were?"With a slow shake of her head, the woman spoke softly, "After I was diagnosed with Alzheimer's, it's difficult to remember anything now."Disappointment settled on my shoulders. My visit had held the promise of a breakthrough in the case or even a revelation about Miley's disappearance, but it remained unfulfilled.Yet, Dakota's voice cut through my thoughts, reigniting a spark of hope. "But..."Intrigued, I leaned forward, prompting her to continue. "But?" I urged."Jackson sent me a video that night, right to my phone," Dakota revealed. "I was in the supermarket, picking up groceries for them. Just as I was about to watch the video, someone jostled me, and the phone slipped from my grasp, crashing to the floor and shattering," she recounted, her tone marked with frustration. "I don't know if that could help or not."Determined, I asked, "Could you show me the remains of that phone?" My eyes sparkled with renewed resolve, and Dakota nodded, agreeing to assist me in pursuing this new lead.****With a small smile, I nodded back and turned to leave, the weight of this newfound information heavy on my heart.As I headed toward the door, a momentary stumble almost sent me tumbling to the ground, but Dakota's swift intervention saved me. During the process, the pendant around my neck, holding my mother's picture, swung open, catching Dakota's gaze.A strange reaction swept across the old woman's face, an expression not commonly elicited when people noticed my mother's image, which had vanished from my life years ago.I gathered my composure, sensing an opportunity to uncover something about my mother. Despite the quiver in my voice, I ventured, "Mrs. Simpson," my heart pounding, "Do you know my mother?"Dakota's eyes widened as if she had heard the call of a long-lost memory. "Mother...?" she muttered, taken by surprise.Desperation consumed me. A faint possibility lingered that this woman held information about my mother. I pressed on, "Yes, she is my mother. Emma Brown. Do you perhaps know about her?"After a tense pause, Dakota looked up at me and replied, "No, I have never seen her before."A/N: Oh my god, is it me or do you guys too need to know what exactly happened with Emma Brown, Aurora Romano and Jackson?If you want to finish this novel now, you can get it on Amazon Kindle and in paperback format—link on my bio.