Chapter 1

Blue Creek Washington

Saturday, October 17th, 2009

"Today marks the two-year anniversary of the disappearance of three girls from the rural Washington town of Blue Creek. Sisters Caroline and Maralyn Veladeer and Brenda Young disappeared during a weekend camping trip that began two years ago today. A candle lighting will take place in the forest where their grave markers have been placed beginning at 6 o'clock pm with a short eulogy following at 6:15 pm. The parents of the girls invite everyone in town to join them in remembering the loss of their dear girls."

The TV played in the background as Courtney packed her bag, preparing for a short camping expedition planned. Although they weren't close, Courtney had known Brenda and Caroline since they were young. Both of them were outstanding students in all honors classes and multiple electives. She couldn't tell you how many projects they had worked together on. They weren't super close, but they were still friends. They never got in trouble like most teenagers do, which is why it shocked her that they had disappeared. It was expected of Maralyn to run off for a day or two without telling anyone where she was going or who she was with, but no one ever expected something like that to happen to Caroline or Brenda.

Courtney, like most people in town, didn't know what to think when she learned of their disappearance. After about 7 months of fruitlessly searching for them, they were presumed dead. Crosses were made with their names carved into them and placed atop a small hill not far from their campsite, purple ribbons streaming off each one. Every spring, flowers were planted for the girls and a candle-lighting was held every year on the anniversary of their disappearance.

But this year Courtney and her friends planned on doing something different in honor of the girls. They planned on hiking the path made to where their crosses were placed and continue beyond that point. No one knows exactly what happened that night but it's presumed that they were kidnapped and taken away. Messages were put out for their return and no one ever showed up or stepped out with a clue or potential suspect.

Brrrrrr ring... ring!

Courtney scrambled to pick up her phone as she finished her packing.

"Hey babe, you ready for tonight?"

It was her boyfriend of now 1 year and 8 months, Zack.

"Yeah, I've nearly finished packing. Are we going to take my car or yours?" She questioned.

"We'll take mine, your car's way too small for me to fit into. Besides, it's about time we take her new tires for a spin"

Giggling, she asked, "Who else is going?"

"Andy and Crystal are already there getting set up as well as Cara and Trystan. Max and Harper are on their way."

"What about Alex?"

"He never said anything to anyone, if he shows up, he shows up, if not oh well. I wouldn't expect him to want to leave his room for the weekend."

"Yeah, me either." Sympathy filled Courtney for a moment, thinking about how heartbroken and depressed Alex must feel this weekend. Even though they had a rocky relationship, Caroline meant the world to him. Losing her hit him harder than losing the state championship in football.

Zack spoke, breaking the silence that had fallen, "I'm about to pull up at your house so be ready. I love you, baby."

"I love you too."

She ended the call and picked up her bags. She thought for sure Alex would've wanted to go. He meant so much to Caroline, wouldn't he want to go see her designated burial site and pay his respects? But everyone deals with things like this in their own way.

Courtney locked her front door as she stepped outside, just in time for Zack to pull up in front of her house, and honked his horn.

"Here we go, babe!" He hollered, filled with excitement.

Courtney jumped into the passenger seat and threw her bags behind her. Together they drove with the radio blasting until they reached a narrow dirt road. They continued down the dusty road until they reached a small clearing where a large red Chevrolet truck sat with two tents set up side by side five feet away with a small fire in the process of being built. There Andy stood piling large sticks by the little makeshift fire pit he'd created. His girlfriend, one of Courtney's best friends, Crystal sat in her fold-up chair by the fire. Cara and Trystan proceeded to organize their tent, preparing for their cold night that lies just a few hours ahead.

Zack stopped his car right beside Andy's truck and shut off the engine and Courtney hopped out. She turned to get her bags out of the back and slammed the car door behind her, walked over to where Zack told her they'd set up their tent. She plopped her bags down on the ground and walked away, letting him take care of setting it up. She wasn't very good at pitching a tent and she didn't want to get in the way. While he did so Courtney decided to talk to Andy.

"Hey, where's Harper? I thought she'd be here by now," she asked as he continued to pile up logs beside the small fire he had started.

"Harper and Max should be here any minute, but honestly who knows with those two," he replied, grunting as he picked up another heavy log.

Courtney cringed at the sound of his name. Max. She hated Max with a passion. The idea of spending a weekend in his general vicinity made her gag. She'd known Harper since Pre-K so they were basically sisters. She was sweet and loving yet Max treated her so terribly. She would wear sunglasses to school to hide black eyes and long-sleeve shirts to hide red marks and bruises. Courtney couldn't remember the last time she wore a pair of shorts, scars and bruises could be found all over her body. Often Courtney would see handprints on her neck poorly covered up with makeup.

So many times Courtney wished to beat the boy to a pulp but she never had the heart, Harper loved Max dearly and always had an excuse and would never admit he did anything. But Courtney knew, everyone knew, and no matter how hard they tried, Harper would defend him. She was under the illusion that the way she was being treated was normal. But at that moment, Courtney swore to herself that she was done watching her friend be abused. She made a vow to herself that the second he laid a hand on her while on this camping trip that she would quit holding back and not stop until the boy was bloody. She didn't want to lose any more friends.

Andy paused to look at her for a split second and then continued to pile wood. He seemed to know what she was thinking. Andy was like her twin brother. He always knew.

"Just... don't create too much of an issue and don't get the cops called on us. Please? I'd like to have a nice time on this trip, for Caroline's sake."

Although he knew Brenda and Maralyn, Andy and Caroline were very close. Ever since she was reported missing, Andy held people a little closer than before.

"No promises," she said smiling slightly and turning to go check on Zack.

She moved swiftly and quietly, in an attempt to scare him. But failed as he turned around right as she approached him.

"Nice try darling," he laughed pulling her into a big hug.

He was in the midst of setting up their tent when she interrupted him. She had barely gotten a word out when a loud engine and a screeching break interrupted her thoughts. She turned to see Max jump out of a beat-up red truck.

Courtney huffed with frustration when he heard him yell at Harper to unload their things.

"I'm gonna go help Harper, I'll talk to you later." she sighed and turned toward the rusted truck as Harper struggled to open the cargo bed.