They were in their rental car, making their way across the bridge that led to the cabin.

"There's something going on in that cabin," Jenny fumed. "We would've gotten the scoop if we hadn't stumbled across that woman and her creepy friend. I saw him at the grocery store we stopped at earlier. He must've followed us there. Why would he want to follow up? I mean, who does that?"

"We do," Cletus reminded her, with a sly grin.

"We're reporters so it's different. It's not weird when we follow people. I bet he followed us because he had a crush on me. It was probably love at first sight."

Cletus rolled his eyes. "Really, Jenny? Do you think that kid saw you, fell in love and decided to warn the people staying in the cabin who we were? That's pushing it a bit far even for an egomaniac like you. What you're saying makes no sense. Besides, he seemed to be friends with that woman."

"That reminds me. Can you believe what that horrid woman said? Online rag? Just watch. I'll show her an online rag."

"Do you really think she's dating Alex Carter?" Cletus asked. "She doesn't seem to be his type."

"That doesn't matter. They're living together in a cabin he just purchased. Hasn't anyone ever told you we don't need the truth to sell stories?"

"What if she really is just an employee?" Cletus asked. "We shouldn't paint her as his newest girlfriend if she isn't. Alex Carter is in the public eye so it's expected we report on him but not his workers."

"If she's not his latest fling, it'll be a lesson to her to not work for rich handsome men the media is obsessed over."

"You mean that you're obsessed over," Cletus muttered.

"It's not just me, Cletus. Before you paint me as some sort of villain, don't forget there's always been a lot of mystery around Alex Carter. Sure, we know about all of his accomplishments but his personal life has been off-limits. Don't you find that odd?" Jenny asked.

Cletus shrugged. "Who wants their personal life exposed to the public? Are you sure you're not just using this story as an excuse to get close to him, Jenny?"

Her eyes widened. She and Cletus had worked together for years so he'd know if she was lying. Instead of answering she made a sound of annoyance.

"Jenny?

"Oh be quiet, Cletus!"

She continued to drive down the wooded path that led to the main street of town.

"You...you want me to stay here? With the two of you?" Wally asked, his face paling.

"It'll make things much easier to have you here. You can help Ms. Redding in her tasks when she goes into town," Alex explained.

"I can do my job without assistance," Abby protested, feeling slightly like a liar considering she still believed dogs had just attacked her which was a clear sign she was surely losing her mind.

Alex ignored her. "You'd be doing me a favor, Wally. I can't have reporters making up stories that I'm here having some dalliance."

Wally scratched the back of his head. "Well, I'd need to tell mother. I'm sure she'd be alright with me doing you a favor and all. Let me pick up some of my things and then I'll come back."

"Sounds great. Don't worry. You'll be compensated for your time." Alex smiled as Wally left.

Abby followed her boss inside. "Why did you really hire him?"

"Why do you look so frightened?" Alex asked instead of answering her. "What happened to you outside?"

"I-I fell...that's all."

He frowned as if he didn't believe her. He placed a hand on her cheek, looking over the bruise on her forehead. Abby gulped, unused to the attention.

"Are you sure you're okay?" Alex asked before dropping his hand and taking a step back.

"I'm fine," Abby insisted.

"In that case, it's late. Why don't you go to bed?" Alex suggested, not looking at her.

"What about Wally? Shouldn't I wait for him?"

"No, I have some matters to discuss with him."

Abby bit her bottom lip. "Other than the chores around here, are you going to give me some real tasks as your personal assistant? I'm...I'm only asking because I don't feel like I'm being very useful."

Alex sighed. "You were hired at the insistence of my mother. You'll be given more tasks...I'm just making preparations."

"Preparations?"

"It's best that you don't know for the time being. Having reporters show up was unexpected but perhaps we'll use that to our advantage. We'll need help in finding out the truth."

"The truth about what?" Abby had to ask.

Alex smirked, "If a man wears a badge, do you think it makes him a good guy?"

"I don't follow..."

"Forget it. Just go upstairs. I want to talk to Wally alone. Understood?"

"Yes, Mr. Carter," Abby said before heading upstairs to the pink bedroom. She checked the sheets for any bugs and was relieved to find them void of any. She did see a row of ants trailing against the windowsill. Twenty minutes later, her eyes were closed and she was drifting in and out of her dreams.

"Why are you doing this? Don't you love me?"

It was a question Bryce had asked her time and time again. Each time the police became involved, he would guilt her into dropping the charges.

"If you forgive him again, don't call me next time," her sister's voice scolded.

"You don't understand," Abby whispered, her voice cracking as she realized she barely understood her obsession with Bryce either.

"No, I don't understand. I don't understand how you can forgive him. Or why you like living this chaotic lifestyle. Why are you choosing him over your family?"

"Abby! Abby come here! Forget your sister," Bryce's voice called out to her.

"Listen...I have to go but I'll call you okay?" Abby asked, looking back at Bryce.

"Don't bother."

Abby's eyes opened and her cheeks were stained with tears. How long had it been since she'd seen her sister? After Bryce was gone, her family still hadn't bothered to reach out to her. They had an "I told you so" attitude that Abby wasn't prepared to cope with.

She was staring at the ceiling, the only light in the room was from the moon shining through the window. She touched the beads on her blessing's bracelet but no thoughts came to mind.

She heard a slight tapping on the window to her right and her breath hitched. She was too afraid to look.

"Abby," a voice whispered. "Abby."

Abby gulped, her hands tightening into fists.

Should I run out of the room? Am I going crazy? First the dogs and now a voice in the dark?

Abby started reciting prayers. Perhaps whatever was calling her name would go away.

The tapping on the window became louder. She was on the second floor so she made up some plausible explanations.

It's probably just some tree branches. Or a bird.

"Abby. Abby. Abby."

If I ignore it, it'll go away.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

Abby squeezed her eyes shut.

"Abby. Look at me. Don't you love me?"

At the sound of the familiar question, she opened her eyes to see a dark figure standing next to her bed. She didn't scream. She was too frightened. Instead, she let the whispers surround her.

"Don't you love me?"

She couldn't make out the face but she tightened her sheet around her as her voice whispered, "Bryce?"