text: Madison Williams Love, Peace, and Murder Murder Kills All, Especially Love The first Chapter is dedicated to my friend Nikki, who was my inspiration for the character Miranda. The rest of the book is for everyone else that is my friend. The book is especially dedicated to Emma, Nikki's sister. She gave me the idea to write the book! 
   
   
   1 
   Miranda POV: 
   For many weeks there had been peace in the city, and by peace I mean no one had been mugged or murdered, and I was just about to shut down my business when a lady came in with a supposedly "big problem". I was not going to find out just how big it was for a long, long time. I wasn't really paying attention until she said ",murdered." I said, "What did you say your name was again?" The lady said, "I didn't." "Oh. Then what is your name?" "My name is Serena Starlight, and my daughter has been murdered." I thought about this for a while then said, "What was her name?" Serena said, "Her name was," starts to cry a little, "Jessica." 
   That is what had happened yesterday. I figure that this "assignment" was destiny. If it hadn't been for Serena Starlight my business would be ruined. I believe that this will be easy to figure out. The weird thing is this is not the first murder that happens so suspiciously. I had gotten a call last week from a Mrs. McCarther. It turns out that her daughter had been murdered to.  That's weird. So far everyone who got murdered has been  girls. While I was walking I heard my name being called, "Miranda!" I turn around and see a little girl. "Miranda! My name is Jo-Jo, my friends call me little Jo-Jo. Anyway my mom is missing and I need you to find her! Can you help me?" "Yes, of course I can help you!" 
   I took little Jo-Jo's hand and asked which house she lived in and she said, "None of these. I live on a different street." "Then why did you look for me on this street?" "Uhm..... because... I thought you might be here." "Well which street do you live on?" "Uhm.... I..... Uhm.... forget which street." "How am I supposed to know where you live then?" "You are a detective so I thought you would be able to find it." Miranda thinks about what Jo-Jo said. " I guess we can walk around until you see something you are familiar with and if you do you can maybe remember where you live." "YAY! Thank you Miranda!" 
   After several hours we finally found little Jo-Jo's house. When we got there I saw a person in the yard. I instantly noticed she was female and Jo-Jo cried out, "MOMMY!!!!!!" She had the biggest smile on her face and I could tell I did a good job. 
    Later that day I called Mrs. Starlight to ask where The body was found. She said, "Well... it was found in my front lawn." "Really?" "Yes." This puzzled me.  If Jessica had been murdered, probably away from home, why would she be found in the front yard of her house?  I thought and thought about this, and came up with a conclusion,  whoever killed Jessica must have known where she lived and planted the evidence there so as to throw me off the case. 
   As I was walking to the Starlight's house I saw a billboard for the model of the year award and I instantly noticed it was my old friend Kate String. I was still preoccupied with the billboard when i heard, "Mreeooooooow," and, "Hissssssssssss." I looked down and saw a black cat, and I was standing on it's tail. I quickly said, "Sorry," and step off. After I step off I feel a searing pain in my right leg and I feel blood trickle down. I realize that she has scratched me. Then after the cat scratched me it ran right in front of me and across the street. I could already feel the bad luck sweep over me and I started to feel really angry.. 
    When I finally get to the Starlight's house I instantly see the blood on the side walk. Then I see the body. It is Mrs. Starlight. A man that I suppose must be Mr. Starlight sitting over her crying. He stands up and says, "Hi I am Mr. Starlight." "Miranda."  I ask what happened and he said, " I.... I.... I don't know! I was inside reading the newspaper when I heard a scream. I quickly ran outside and saw my wife on the ground in a pool of blood." "Did you happen to see the killer?" "No... Well not his face, anyway!" "How do you know that he was a guy?" "I saw his back and the way he ran was like a guy." "Hmm...... Well I guess that works.Which way did he go when he left?" He went right." "Your right or my right?" "Uhm..... my right."  Hmmmm.... I just came from that way, and I didn't see anyone suspicious. He must be lying. I need to find a way to trick him into telling the truth. 
   Then I said, "I just came from that way and I didn't see anyone at all." "Well then he must have gone to my left." " Didn't see anyone that way either..." "Well Miranda it was nice to meet you but you should not meddle in other people's business. I hope that we do not see each other again. Good day to you!" "Can't I at least examine the body?" "NO!" He clears his throat, "I mean no." "O...K... then...." "I said GOOD DAY" 
    Reluctantly I left the house as requested. I thought about it for a second,  to tell you the truth that house had really bad  vibes. 
   
   
   
   2 
      Miranda POV: 
   It had been three days and the whole time after I left I could feel that some one was watching me. At the moment that I felt the gaze leave me I bolted. I didn't stop running till I was around the corner. Then I noticed that it was night fall. I looked up and saw a cloaked figure. I notice that she has a dagger in her hand. I ask, "What's that for?" "Well do you think it is for me to slit your throat and kill you? Well its not, so you can relax a bit. I am not here to kill you....... yet, just to warn you. You should not worry about things that you don't need to be. I know you can't keep from helping others but please don't try to solve this mystery. Not alone anyway." "How do I know I can trust you?" "Let's just say I am an old friend." With that she left. Then I noticed something.. something weird. It was like a shadow but it was alive at the same time, then it just vanished. 
   I looked down at my watch and saw it was 11:30 and I hadn't had dinner. So I checked to see how much money I had. It looks like I have enough for a cheesburger and a drink. So I went to a resturaunt and ordered a cheeseburger. It took almost half an hour for it to get to my table. When I finally started eating they said they were just about to close up shop so I grabbed my cheesburger and left. It wasn't until twelve o'clock that I actually found a nice quiet place to eat. 
    When I was done I stumbled across a house and knocked on the door. Then like most horror movies the door swings open without anyone answering it. I didn't know if I dared to go in. I thought to myself,  I think I will go in. There can't be any harm at going in and looking around.  I didn't think at the time that I was heading right into a trap.... 
   
   
   
   3 
   
   
   
   2 years ago.... 
   Jessica POV: 
    When I was out with my friend Kate I could feel eyes on me. At first I just thought it was the store owners but then it got more intense. I decided to let it slide, "Hey, do you want some Ice-Cream, Kate?" "Only if it's chocolate and you're paying." She replied while sticking out her tongue at me. "Fine! But you can only have one scoop in a cone 'cause that is all I can pay for! I am not rich, yet." "Well neither am I!!!" "I bet you will be in the future. I can see it now Kate String, Model of the future!" "Haha. Very funny!" Then out of the blue popped up Hannah, "What's up guys??" I said, "Nothing just SHOPPING!!!!" Hannah said, "YAY!!!! That is my favorite sport! What're we doing next?" I said, "Ice-cream." 
   While we were walking out of the mall with our ice-cream I felt the strange eyes on me again. I looked around the parking lot and saw nothing. I shrugged it off. Then Hannah said, "Guess what guys!" "What?" , Kate and I said simultaneously. "I have a new boyfriend!!!!!! YAY!"  "Well that is just great for you!" I said, "Ok I need to go! Bye guys see you tomorrow!" I said with a smile on my face. "KK BYE!!!!!!!!" They shouted, as I ran to my car. 
   I had just got my license last week and I was already complimented on my driving skills. On the way home a nice gentleman gave me some advice, "GET OF THE ROAD, CRAZY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" "Ok I'll do that when I get home." I said sticking my tongue out at him. After all he was the one driving crazy! Not me!  He  swerved in front of  Me . 
   When i passed bye Hannah's house I saw her mom standing out on the porch. I waved to her and she waved back with a smile on her face. 
   When I got home I parked the car in the garage and went inside. I lived on a small, not so busy, street, so I did't bother to lock my car door. I went inside and went straight to my room. I quickly logged on to my computer because I wanted to finish the book I was working on! It was called,  The Prince, the Dragon and the Princess.  I didn't really like it but all my friends said that it was good. So I stuck with it. 
    A Year and a half later: 
   My mom got a call from Hannah's mom and I got really worried when she hung up and looked at me with tears in her eyes. "I just spoke with Ms. McCarther, you know Hannah's mom, well it turns out her daughter has been murdered. I thought that there wasn't going to be anymore killings after the first one but this seems a lot more." and Ms. Starlight kept mumbling. I said, "Wait a minute...... What killing? Who died? Do you really think Hannah was killed by the same person?" "I can't answer those questions at the moment but I can answer one of them. The last person who died was you father. I also have no idea if it was the same person." 
   2 weeks ago: 
   Hannah POV: 
    I should have known that even though me and my new boyfriend were getting along that he was dangerous. I mean all the facts were there, I could constantly feel someone watching me when I was with him and he would just show up out of nowhere. 
   It was almost as if he were leading me into something without me knowing. Of course I couldn't be too sure because I usually always had the feeling of eyes on me! It didn't really matter where I was. But this....... this was different. 
   
   
   Publication Date: February 10th 2014 https://www.bookrix.com/-lsc4740ddb2c425