Prologue....
Jessica was seated at the back of a taxi car, fridgeting to sounds of notification that keeps entering her mobile,the notification keeps ringing loudly as she toss the phone on the seat biting her nails afterwards looking out the window out the window.
Her makeup was a mess and she looked like she actually had very dark circles underneath her eyes. Her eyes keeps roaming the streets ooutside as tears streamed down her eyes.
" Are you alright miss? " The taxi driver asked looking through the rearview mirror.
" Am fine. Just drive " she replied quietly, as she closed her eyes.
" You sure? " The driver asked worried.
" I said am fine. And can you fucking focus on the road than your passenger's well being! " She replied loudly.
" Ohhhh Kay. "
* DING *
Another notification entered her phone which made her to let out a quiet scream, looking at the phone.
" We are here. " The car came to an halt Infront of the large bill board, around the area was nothing but bushes and trees.
" I still don't know why you would want to come to a place like this, it's very late you know. " The taxi driver muttered, he didn't want to bring her here but the payment she would make was a very big offer.
" Shut up and take your money. " She said in between tears and anger as she handed the man the dollar note.
" With that attitude, if you want to commit suicide because you are being stalked well I don't give a damn. " The taxi man started ignition and zoomed off.
She looked forward and walked into the woods, she switched on her phone flashlight and started following the GPS which was leading her to her destination.
" There is nothing to be afraid of. " She muttered as she kept walking.
Chapter one ....
" Ethan! " A femine and yet angry voice yelled, her voice echoing in every which way of the house. She had piercing blue eyes and black hair which was packed in a ponytail. She had a creamed colour shirt on with black skirts and a green apron on. She had a spatula in her hands as she continue flipping the pancakes over, she keeps checking the wrist watch on her hand constantly as she tapped her right feet against the floor.
" Damn mom, must you always yell like that? " Ethan muttered silently as he decended the stairs with his backpack strapped on. He had same features as his mother, black hair, and piercing blue eyes, he had a nice build even though he wasn't performing well in PE and wasn't involved in any sport. He was also dressed a orange shirt and black jeans.
" You know today is your first day in your sophomore year so you have to start with a good impression. " Emily said.
" Yeah I know that, but can we not start the day by bleeding my ears with your yell. " He said once he got to the door.
" Oh that's great, and where did you think you are going. I made this pancakes for you and am driving you to school. "
" Mom am not hungry and am sixteen, my classmates will be arriving at school in their own cars and bike. "
" Well first thing, you will be sixteen in November. And second I am driving you to school until you are responsible enough. "
" At least take a bite of the pancakes. "
************************************************
" You must be in your best behaviour and I don't want to hear about your mistery group again, you guys have matured, so have bigger plans. Like be the best in the class, get a girlfriend... "
" Seriously mom, get a girlfriend? " Ethan asked seated in the black SUV car which was Infront of Riverdale high school.
" Yes.... " She dragged pausing for a while.
" That's what a normal teenager does, not trying to look for something mysterious. " She had a concerned look on her face as she said this.
" Well mom, it's going to be the same old thing. I don't really care about people and girls like that. " Ethan unlocked the door and got out, strapping his black leather backpack on.
" Well I wish you the best. " Emily said before starting ignition.
" Yeah, yeah, I know. " He muttered as he walked into the school compound with the other students.
" This year is going to be different. " He muttered entering the crowded hallway.
" Ethan Reed." A masculine voice called making Ethan to stop on his tracks.
" Lucas. Lucas Brooks. " Ethan said with a playful smile on his face, turning around meetings a frame of a man than that of a teenager, he was well built and had messy blonde hair with brown eyes, he was putting on a brown shirt with black pants.
" Sup dude. Where have you been all through summer break? " Lucas asked as the two started walking towards their lockers.
" Well, I was with my dad, you know, I was helping him with a suicide case which turned into a murder. It was fun. " Ethan opened his locker and started putting his books in it and taking a few.
" Wow, that's so much fun. " Lucas said sarcasticically opening his own locker.
" But do you know what else is fun, it's the party this Friday. And guess who is organising. "
" Seriously am not really into parties like that. I prefer studying. " Ethan said slamming his locker shut.
" I know but it's William's party, he organise only one every year, you can't miss it. " Lucas said.
" William, the junior. The one in the basketball team. Nah am not interested. "
" What can I do to convince you. Even Olivia is going. " Lucas said pointing at beautiful blonde haired girl with green eyes who was busy picking a few books from her locker.
" So what? " Ethan said.
" Your forever crush is going and you don't want to. What if someone takes her away from you. "
" She is in a relationship with Tyler, so you remember. Look we are having history in few minutes so it will be good to head to class. "
" But what if they broke up during the break? Am trying to be optimistic for my best friend. " Lucas said trailing behind Ethan as they made their way to class.
" Settle down kids. " Mr Jenkins hoarse voice ranged out in the history class.
" This is another semester so let's try to be better than last semester. And for those of you with bad grades, keep it up. "
" For today's class we will be treating the California gold rush. "
" It was January 24, 1848, when James W. Marshall stumbled upon something that would change the course of American history. He was working at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California, when he spotted a glint of gold in the American River.
Marshall's eyes widened as he picked up the shiny metal, and he knew he had struck something big. News spread like wildfire, and before long, the whole country was abuzz with the promise of gold.
People from all walks of life – farmers, merchants, sailors, and adventurers – dropped everything to join the rush. They packed their bags, said goodbye to loved ones, and set off for California. These brave souls were dubbed "forty-niners," named after the year 1849, when the gold fever reached its peak.
As thousands poured into California, towns sprouted up overnight. San Francisco, once a sleepy village, became a bustling metropolis. Sacramento, Oakland, and Los Angeles grew from dusty trails to thriving cities.
The gold rush brought both fortune and chaos. Prospectors staked claims, dug mines, and panned rivers. Some struck it rich, while others went bust. Gamblers, outlaws, and entrepreneurs flocked to the region, seeking to cash in on the gold craze.
But amidst the excitement, a darker tale unfolded. Native American tribes, who had lived on these lands for generations, were forcibly removed, their cultures disrupted, and their lives forever changed.
As the gold rush reached its peak in 1852, California became the 31st state, and the nation's economy boomed. The gold extracted from California's rivers and mines was worth billions – enough to transform the country's economy and shape its destiny.
The gold rush also left an indelible mark on American culture. Writers like Mark Twain and Bret Harte spun tales of adventure and optimism. Artists captured the rugged beauty of the West. And the phrase "Go West, young man!" became a rallying cry for generations to come.
The California Gold Rush was a wild, unpredictable ride – full of hope, heartbreak, and transformation. It was a chapter in American history that would forever change the nation's trajectory. "
" Any questions? " Mr Jenkins asked looking around the class, it was his talent of always catching the attention of everyone who was listening to his explanation.
" Well since no one asked. I will be giving you homeworks. "
" Homework? "
" We just resumed. " Lucas said.
" Well done you know the familar saying which is there is no food for the lazy right. There is no future for you if you don't take things seriously. " Mr Jenkins said as he picked up a white board marker and started scribbling on the board.
" Great he is actually giving us homework. " Lucas whispered to Ethan who was beaming with smiles as he copied the homework into his note.
" Lucas you've got to this homework yourself, I can't help you with it. "
" I've got practice after school today, we are planning on recruiting the newbies to the team. Please help on this one. " Lucas pleaded.
" What will I get in return? "
" Whatever I can help you with. " Saying that the bell for the closure for the class was ringed making all the students to park their stuff.
" Submission is tomorrow people! " Mr Jenkins yelled.
" I wanna try something new. " Ethan started his books in his hands looking at Lucas who was just a little taller than him.
" Something new like what? " Lucas asked.
" I don't know anything to keep me busy. "
" Well, I didn't want to tell you but you know Jessica right. "
" Jessica yeah, I know her, she is like a queen bee and she is supposed to be in her senior year now. "
" Hmmm, yeah, she's dead. "
" Dead? What happened? How could she be dead. "
" Well that's for you to know and for me to never find out. All I know is that her body was found in the woods this morning, with bite marks all over her. '"
" Bite marks? "
" I am not sure how true it is but I overheard some of the seniors talking about it. And of course I checked the news, the last person to see her was the taxi driver who said she was being blackmailed or stalked. So the cops are still trying to find who the stalker is. "
" Damn thanks. Was the stalker found? " Ethan asked opening his locker.
" Nope, her phone was missing. " Lucas said not really interested in the conversation.
" Maybe I will go to the crime scene and look for it. "
" I know you want to become either a detective or a lawyer in the future but I don't know why you want to start now. Besides how can you find what took the cops hours to find. "
" Lucky charm. Got to go Lucas. "
**********************************************
Ethan was standing Infront of the enormous bill board which was advertising a new skin care product which he no interest in. He walked towards the woods which was surrounded by duck tapes. He decided not to trespass but move further into the thick forest, he looked around trying to find the mobile phone which could be a clue to the death of his school mate.
The sun was setting and soon enough it will be nightfall. He switched on his flash light, immediately he started feeling kind of dizzy.
" What's wrong with me. " He grabbed his head feeling dizzy and the sound of footsteps was also not helping. He rised his head to see the owner of the footsteps.
' maybe it's the killer or the stalker.' he thought in his head, but what he saw was so much frightened.
Jessica was standing Infront of him, still dressed in the same sliver dress Ethan had saw on the news, her face was pale and blood covered her dress and neck. She several bite marks and scars. She looked like a lost person and tired.
" What the fuck. "