Lost in a Moment of Terror (The Beginning)

Synapses stinging with the jolting sight she just witnessed, she stumbled out into the crisp, billowy night air. Snow crunching under her feet, the sky clear and bright, the images embedded in her mind brought her to her knees, crumpling in a ball weeping uncontrollably. If it were not for the warm, slick blood on her hands and the pervasive odor of death in her nostrils she wouldn't have believed her eyes. All of her senses were shouting to her the grim reality of one sick, nauseating truth. They were gone, they were all gone.

She attempted to force herself to calm down and to think, to assess the situation as blood-curdling as it was. Her mind started to think back to the horrific scene that was splayed out before her as she arrived home.

She looked down at her white satin dress and started to recall the night's events leading up to the nightmare she was now living. The elegant gown she was wearing she had been saving for a specific special occasion. She felt like royalty when she slipped it on. She occasionally would meticulously remove it from the protective garment bag she kept it in, inhale the sweet, fresh smell and then slip it on. She put it on when her heart couldn't take the loneliness anymore from missing him. She would close her eyes and sway, imagining his touch, his aroma and the way he always made her feel. She felt safe in his arms, protected and secure. He also made her feel loved and special. She was saving this dress to wear for when he came back, when he came home to her. Tonight she slipped it on, not due to loneliness but with excitement and pure glee. Tonight was supposed to be perfect. It was supposed to be the beginning of the rest of their life together.

Instead the white fabric of her satin gown was stained in the blood of her family and her best and closest friend. Rage was starting to replace fear and melancholy. Her jaw tightened as she stood tall on her feet. She wanted answers. She knew she couldn't stay there much longer but she ventured back into the house to see what clues she could find as to why she was now living in this hell.

She also needed to know why her boyfriend after promising to meet her and being away for two years left her waiting at their favorite restaurant. They had been eagerly planning this night since he left and now she was still alone and even more lost. After two hours and too many glasses of wine, no call and no message, she left. She didn't know yet know how to go about finding the answer to where he was but she wanted information. She needed those answers. As she started walking up the steps to the house her phone rang. It was him.