Chapter 1: Horrifying Surprises

A/N: This chapter is kinda why I said this is in between K and T... so I'd say this rating is like K? (11). Yeah.. )

Also, excuse my elementary way of cussing, (hahaha) but I seriously do NOT like to cuss... sorry!

It had been three years after Dora and Dad had gotten married. I was sixteen years old. We still hated each other. She constantly insulted me, since Dad didn't get home until late—10 PM at earliest. I had already gone through at least seven boyfriends, and I could tell Dora was jealous. I had a sneaking suspicion she was prettier now than she was in her school days. Whenever I went out on a date, she always hissed at me, "Slut! Whore!" I shrugged it off. It's not like I dressed slutty or threw myself at guys or anything, it's just that for some reason, I get boyfriends. My friends tell me I'm gorgeous, but whatever. Mom was pretty, maybe I got it from her… Anyways, Dora wasn't one to talk.

Currently, I was going out with one of the popular superjocks, Devon Matthews. Sweet, but kinda dumb. I think he only went for me because I'm pretty (not to brag or anything). I mean, no guy has ever gone for me because I'm smart (I'm in all honors, here!). I do think some of them go after me because I'm rich, though…

But even though I was going out with Devon, I had been in love with Alex Levilyn since I was a freshman. We were in the same year, and he was usually in my honors classes. He entered our high school friendless, and he was still a loner. I loved the way he handled being teased, and the way he didn't have a care in the world. It was absolutely amazing…

Anyways, it had been a normal school day. I was going to hang out with Lucille, Kyla, George, and Will—the gang. I was moreso friends Kyla, George, and Will than Lucille… I mean, Lucille only hung out with us because she was George's cousin. And I was closer to Kyla and Will than I was to George… possibly because George was Lucille's cousin.

So I was just going to tell Dora where I was going—if I didn't, she would think I was doing something bad (which she always thought anyways) and tell Dad some downright lie. I was just about to open the door when I heard voices—a male and a female. I recognized the female as Dora, the male I had never heard before.

"Look, buddy, I'm doing this to you as a favor. Now you better keep up your end of the deal."

"Yeah, yeah, I know, Mrs. Whittier."

"Don't call me that. It makes me feel so old."

"Well it's true."

"Shut up, Kevin. The point is, you're going to kill my stupid stepdaughter, right?"

"I am, alright, Dora? Don't worry about it."

I stifled a gasp because there was more.

"I better not have to worry about it. If that whore's not dead, than I don't inherit all of my husband's estate. Who, unfortunately, isn't older, so I have to kill him."

"Not all of it, Dora dear—I get half, remember?"

"Yeah sure, whatever. Let's get on to—" All of a sudden my stepmother's voice became seductive. "Business."

All of a sudden there was a lot of moaning and I tried to quietly run away from the door, but I accidentally tripped. Darn my clumsiness.

"What was that?" asked Dora, alarmed.

"Probably one of the maids or something," her accomplice answered lazily. "Let's get back to business."

"Not yet. I want to investigate." I could hear her rustling around, probably for clothes. I started running down the stairs, not realizing I was making a racket. Dora slammed open the door.

"What are you doing, slut? What did you hear?"

I gazed at her in horror. She was only dressed in a silky bathrobe, and her eyes were glittering with fury.

"I-I-I-I was j-j-j-just…"

"You eavesdropped, didn't you?" she narrowed her eyes. I gulped.

"Kevin, get out here!" she screamed. "She knows! My effing stepdaughter knows!" I ran all the way to the bottom of the stairs and out the front door. I jumped into my car (good thing it was a convertible). I desperately tried to start the engine. I was still struggling when Dora came running out. Just as she was about to reach the car, the engine started and I drove out of the driveway, as fast as I could.

While driving to Kyla's house, I pondered everything. Dora was cheating on Dad, planning to kill him and me, and then become the sole heir and inherit everything Dad had ever earned for. I should have known… I was about to park by Kyla's house when I suddenly heard the screeching of tires, kind of far away. I adjusted my rear view mirror and saw the glimpse of a black Porsche with Dora behind the wheel before I started driving away from Kyla's house. Where could I go?

I took all these backroads and twists and turns, trying to lose Dora. After awhile, I finally lost her. I drove into the parking lot for some ice cream parlor and parked. I took out my cell phone and called Kyla.

"Why aren't you here?" she asked me.

"Long story, Kyla, I'm super sorry."

"You better be. Try to get over here ASAP."

I said, "I can't."

"Why not?" she asked indignantly.

I hesitated before I said, "Dora's trying to kill me."

Kyla was silent for a few moments before she said, "Your imagination's running away, Serena."

"No it's not!" I told her angrily. I explained to her everything I overheard.

"Oh my gawd…" was all she could say. I interrupted whatever she was going to say next.
"Look, Kyla, I can't go to your house, or Will's or George's or Lucille's houses, either. Dora knows where you guys live. If I go, she'll know, or she'll hurt you guys. I can't go to school because she can just drag me out of there and kill me. I'm going to try to find a place where I can hide out before I can think of a plan… remember, my dad is still in danger."

"We can all look out for him," Kyla told me.

"I know… but you can't look out for him when he's at home. I don't know when she's going to strike, but I guarantee it's going to be soon now that I'm gone. I have no proof. I have to get proof. Are you guys willing to help me?"

Kyla hesitated before saying, "Well, I am. I gotta ask the others if they're willing. Hold on." I waited for a couple minutes before Kyla came back on the phone and said, "Lucille says she can't help because she has no time with all her extracurriculars and such, but Will and George said they'll help."
I breathed a sigh of relief. "Okay, that's good. When I find a place to stay, I'll call you so we can meet up there. Remember Dora might be watching you… she knows I'm close to you guys. Be careful."

"Alright, alright, Serena. Gawd you sound like my mother."
"SHUT UP I do not!"

"You do too. Haha, bye Serena."

"Bye Kyla."

I hung up.

Before driving out of the parking lot, I got some gas from the small gas station that was nearby. Then I zoomed off. On the road, I casually drove, looking for a place for me to stay. When I thought I was going to give up, I saw a small building ahead. When I got closer, I saw a sign that said, "Shoert Brothers' B&B." I decided this place was as good as any, and pulled in.

Parked right in front, I thought, Wow, this place looks pretty nice! I opened the door and stepped inside and gasped.

This place was definitely not nice.