CHAPTER 3-3: PARTY

In his bedroom, Charlie sat at a computer playing a video game, the soft glow of the screen feebly lighting the darkened room. He glanced down at his phone sitting on the desk before him. Noting the time, 7:35pm, he looked out the window.

CHAPTER 3-2: FAVOR

Charlie walked up the front path of Marina’s house. He had gone straight there from work. Knocking at the door, and without waiting for a response, he opened it and walked in.

CHAPTER 3-1: UNEASE

The rising sun cast a yellow glow over the beach. Marina walked down the sand carrying a tote bag and towel, squinting—even through her sunglasses—at the light reflecting off the sea.

CHAPTER 2-5: ODOROUS

Neither spoke as they walked along the twilit beach back towards the headland. Marina was on the ocean side, just out of reach of the lapping water.

CHAPTER 2-4: CURIOSITY

Marina and Charlie entered the church, the rotting floorboards creaking with each step. Despite the open door and numerous broken windows, the room retained a smell of dust, mold, and decay.

CHAPTER 2-3: DISREPAIR

Marina and Charlie walked side-by-side down the beach, teetering on the edge of wet sand and dry. The beach was their's alone, save for the occasional flock of seagulls.

CHAPTER 2-2: ORNAMENTATION

Marina sat alone on the highest point of a small coastal headland, staring out across the ocean. She always felt at peace there. Always had.

CHAPTER 2-1: ELATION

A week ago…

Charlie watched the last customer leave the store. He locked the door behind them and let out a sigh of relief.

CHAPTER 1-2: HOME

In darkness, the motor of the automatic garage door jerked to life, moaning as it pulled the paneled door up. The headlights of Alex’s pickup lit the room as they peered in underneath.

CHAPTER 1-1: BEACHED

The full Moon hung low over the ocean, casting its pale beams across the beach like a celestial floodlight. It was a perfectly clear spring night, not a cloud in the sky.