Billie, a teenager with a troubled past, moves to a new town with her mother, seeking a fresh start. However, their arrival coincides with a gruesome murder, which sparks a series of eerie events and mysterious encounters.

As Billie navigates her new school and relationships, she's drawn to Jasher, an introverted and enigmatic classmate with a fascination for true crime and psychopathic behavior. Unbeknownst to Billie, Jasher harbors a dark secret: his ability to switch personalities, adopting the persona of "Echo," a menacing and calculating alter ego.

As the body count rises, Billie finds herself at the center of a sinister game, with Jasher/Echo's true intentions unclear. With her own dark past and Jasher's duplicity, Billie must confront her fears and unravel the tangled threads of the murder mystery before she becomes the next victim.

Whispers of the Alter Ego: Unraveling the Town's Dark Secrets

Billie reluctantly follows her mom to Veronica's funeral, feeling out of place in the somber atmosphere. They just arrived in town not too long, and now she is surrounded by grieving strangers. 


"I don't know why we have to be here, Mom," Billie whispers, tugging on her mom's arm. 


"Because, sweetie, we need to show respect for the family. And who knows, we might even learn something," her mom replies, her eyes scanning the crowd. 


As they enter the crowded church, Billie's discomfort grows. She scans the room, observing the mourners. Her eyes land on Dana, standing stoically at the podium, her parents delivering a eulogy. Billie notes the calculating glint in Dana's eye - a potential suspect. 


She is fashionably dressed in black turtleneck and dark loose cotton pants, a church hat with net shielding her face. 


"Welcome, everyone, to this celebration of Veronica's life," Dana begins, her voice smooth as silk. "She was my dearest friend, a bright light, extinguished far too soon and she will forever remain in our hearts.” 


Billie watches as Dana's parents take over, their voices trembling with grief. She detects a hint of insincerity in Dana's words, but can't quite put her finger on it. 


Looking over her seat intentionally, Billie spots the twins, Lizzie and Debbie who had tried to bully her, sobbing exaggeratedly. Billie raises an eyebrow, skeptical of their over-the-top display. 


"Oh my god, this is so tragic!" Lizzie wails, clinging to Debbie. 


"I know, right? Veronica was like, the queen of our school!" Debbie replies, her voice dripping with drama. 


The church grows even more quiet as two men in tailored suits saunter in with unmatched grace. She doesn't quite know the older one, but recognized the other. Jasher Sloane. 


Her gaze drifts to the boy with bruises on his face, walking mechanically beside his father. He looks particular handsome today in that suit. His enigmatic presence sparks her curiosity. 


"Who's that?" Billie asks her mom, nodding discreetly towards the older man. He seems important enough to command the silence of everyone with just his entrance. 


"That's Mr. Sinclair Sloane, the philanthropist of the town and also my boss and your school’s founder. Rumor has it, he's running for mayor this year," her mom whispers back. 


They take a seat at the other side of the aisle and the service continues. Billie feels a sense of unease, She doesn't know Veronica, but the weight of the mourners' grief is palpable. She shifts uncomfortably in her seat, trying to blend in. 


After the eulogy, the mourners begin to file out of the church. Billie's mom is stopped by a neighbor, who welcomes them to the community. After how many weeks of settling in. 


"Hi there, I'm Karen! Your neighbor. So sorry we haven't properly welcomed you. This must be your daughter, Billie?" Karen says, her eyes warm and friendly. 


"How did you know my name?" Billie replies, trying to smile. Her mom nudges her mid-section. 


“Oh. That’ll be through the help of my son. He wouldn't stop talking about you -” 


“Mom!” Karen's son reprimands. He’s a boy around Billie's age and stares at her strangely, his eyes lingering on her face. 


"Hi, I'm Max," he says, his voice awkward. 


Billie nods, she needed to leave this freak show. 


"Mom, can we go now?" Billie whispers, eager to escape the oppressive atmosphere. 


Her mom nods, and they follow the crowd out of the church. As they walk home, Billie's mind whirls with observations and suspicions. She has uncovered potential motives and intriguing characters. The investigation has begun, and Billie is determined to uncover the truth behind Veronica's tragic death.


Chapter Seven