“Spencer! He has access to the station! He wasn’t around the night the killings started which leaves him with no alibi, he was there the night Ash got her flat, there at the hayride, he’s friends with the coroner, Victoria Marks which gives him a chance to steer the force away from suspects, and only just became a freaking deputy! Are you seriously trying to say he’s not a suspect?!”

“Lily! He’s a good guy!”

“That’s what they said about Manson, Spencer! And look at how well he turned out? How many people did he kill?!” But Spencer wasn’t listening. She was too caught up in the lone figure that was walking in the shadows, hunched over because of the cold, wearing a gray hoodie.

“Lil…” Spencer trailed off, watching the figure’s progress as they walked away from where Spencer and Lily were parked. “Who in their right mind would walk alone, after dark, considering there is a serial killer on the loose?” Spencer asked. Lily had yet to see the person now cutting down a side street, but instead was bent over Tom Altiere’s file.

“I don’t know, the Killer.” Lily asked absentmindedly. Without warning, Spencer started the car and slowly started driving in the direction where the figure had just disappeared. “Spence? Where are we going?”

“I just saw someone in a gray hoodie walking alone!” Spencer squeaked as she swallowed hard and searched for the person.

“Holy shit.” Lily mumbled, frozen as her eyes scanned the darkened streets.

“There they are!” Spencer shouted as she cut her headlights and stopped the car. As Spencer watched the figure walk towards a house, Lily’s eyes swept around the neighborhood.

“Spencer, I think we should leave.” Lily’s tone was a mix of nervousness and frightened; the neighborhood wasn’t a good one. They were on the edge of town where the houses were mostly abandoned and boarded up. But the blonde wasn’t listening, too caught up in watching the figure unlock the front door to one house and slip inside.

“Spencer! What are you doing?!” Lily shrieked as Spencer cut the engine and undid her seatbelt.

“I’m going to check it out. You can stay here, call 911.” The blonde said quickly before she got out of the car and hastily made her way to the house.

“Spencer!” Lily hissed as she watched the blonde run, ducked over as she approached the boarded up house. “Just fucking great!” Lily breathed out before she too got out of the car. The pair made their way around towards the back of the house. The yard was dark, no lights around, and it made it difficult to see.

“Over there.” Spencer whispered as she pointed towards the only window not covered by planks of wood. It was a small window, low to the ground indicating it was for the basement. Both girls had to get onto their stomachs to see through it.

“Are you seeing this?” Spencer breathed out as she took in the three wooden chairs below, all with ropes on top of them. There were plates of discarded food on the floor and a metal pan as well. Other than that, the basement was empty.

“I think we should get the hell out of here, Spencer.” Lily whimpered as she kneeled up.

“I think someone’s coming.” The blonde whispered excitedly, straining her ears as she heard voices.

“I’m calling the sheriff.” Lily took out her phone quickly. Spencer’s eyes went wide and grabbed for Lily’s hand as she saw the beginnings of someone’s legs descending the basement steps.

“Oh my, God!” Spencer’s panicky tone made Lily jump.

“Shit! Who is that?!” Lily begged, eyes glued to the woman who just appeared.

“Christine Davies,” Spencer said, her voice shaking. “Ashley’s mother.”

That was the last thing either girl said before they felt something hard hit the back of their heads and everything went black.