《Riveroak》


 Prologue

    I used to think that interrogation tropes that you saw on television were just that. Tropes. However, sitting in this wiggly chair, with a flickering headlamp above the only table in this room, and having the temperature be boiling hot would beg to differ.


    My head is reeling. None of this was supposed to end this way. I planned to go to Riveroak Prep to change my life, and little did I know I would, but not in the way I had hoped.


    The detective comes and slams a file folder onto the table. The pictures of the body carelessly slide out across the table, and I''m left wincing as I look at the blood. He glares at me as he sits down in his perfectly stable and non-wiggly chair.


    "You still have a chance here, Elena. Tell us what happened."


    "I asked for a lawyer," I tell him dismissively. "You''re not getting another word out of me until they get here."


    The detective was shocked when I asked for a lawyer. "What seventeen-year-old asks for a lawyer unless they''re guilty?" he asked me, but he knew his hands were tied once I asked. I have seen enough true crime television shows to know what happens next. My mother could never afford a high-powered attorney. At least not ones that these people could afford. I''m most likely going to get a state attorney with a crap ton of cases and not enough time to fully commit to any of them.


    "Elena-"


    "Let me stop you right there," I tell him. "I would love to be able to tell my lawyer that you not only kept questioning a minor when they didn''t have representation but also that when I asked for it you ignored me."


    He glares at me and stands up from his chair. He begins to circle around the table and puts his hands to his face. "Two of your classmates are dead."


    "That has nothing to do with me," I tell him dismissively.


    "It has everything to do with you!" he slams his fist on the table, eyes raging. "You''re in the middle of this whether you want to acknowledge it or not little girl." His face is so close to mine I can smell the coffee he''s been drinking on his breath. His vein is sticking out in the middle of his forehead, and his pupils are dilated.


    "Look," I say to him. "I want to help you. I really do. It''s why I sent Dean Meadows out of the room. I''m not going down for something that I didn''t do. When the lawyer gets here I''ll get some advice and I''ll be happy to help you in whatever way they advise. Until then, this conversation is over." If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    As if they were waiting in the wings my lawyer comes running into the room. He''s a scrawny white man with disheveled chestnut hair. Probably fresh out of law school given how late he was called in for this, and how overwhelmed he looks. He walks straight over to me and sticks his hand out. "Ray Perkins. I''ll be your court-appointed attorney."


    "Elena Ramos," I say shaking his hand that is moist with sweat. "Thank you for coming. I''m sorry it''s so late."


    "Are you kidding?" he whispers as he sits next to me and opens his briefcase. "The other new hires and I were tripping over ourselves to get this case. A murder in one of the nation''s best schools? Two at that? It doesn''t get any better to help you climb the ladder from there."


    I try not to show my distaste for the insensitivity he has for this situation. Whether or not they were bad people, two people are dead. Two people had their lives ripped away before they even had a chance to start.


    My semester started a month ago, and I''ve been struggling to figure out this mystery that was laid before me.


    "I have something I need to tell you," I whisper to him.


    He looks at me confused. "So tell me."


    "It''s not something I can say in front of him yet," I respond. "It''s really important."


    "I need a moment with my client," says Ray quickly to the detective with a harsh tone. "It''s time for you to go. Now."


    The detective lets out a loud sigh and stalks out of the room. He slams the door behind him and Ray turns to me with a deadpan. "What is it that''s so important? I don''t care if you killed them or not," his eyes averted to the table to look at the lifeless bodied captured in the photos. He grimaces and turns back to me. "I have to defend you either way."


    I ignore his statement with an eye roll and lean closer to him. I cup my hand around his ears and whisper a phrase that I''ve been holding back from the second the cops showed up at the scene. "I know who killed Victoria Caldwell."


    He jerks his head away. His jaw dropped and then he glared at the two-way mirror the cops were no doubt watching us through. This case just became much more interesting to him. Victoria Caldwell became a household name back in September of this year. The heiress to an oil empire disappears from one of the most prestigious schools in the nation? It''s bound to make the news. After all, money talks, right? Countless news stories and updates have flooded social media and every major network you can think of. Rumors of seeing her roaming small random towns. Rumors that she got mixed up with the wrong people and is strung out somewhere.


    All of that was put to rest when her body was discovered.


    I reach under the table and grab my small backpack I placed all of the clues I''ve collected over my time at Riveroak. Clues that were never supposed to be mine, but somehow found their way to me.


    "I need you to start from the beginning. I need the whole story."


    "Buckle up, Ray," I tell him with a sigh. "It''s going to be a wild ride."

 Chapter 1

    My whole life has been full of fantasies.


    When I was a little girl my fantasy was about my father. I would dream of him rushing into the house and wrapping me in his arms. That he would save me from the revolving door that was my mom''s boyfriends. That he would want to spend time with me.


    And as time continued, so did my fantasies. Changing with the moments and events that shaped my life.


    As a young woman, my life has consisted of one thing: getting the hell out of my single-stop sign town.


    Kilgore, Kentucky is a town where if you blink as you drive on the highway you''d miss it. My school consisted of the same twenty-six kids since kindergarten, and my teachers all knew exactly what we were all capable of the second we walked into the classroom. Everything in that town is predetermined based on who you were as a child when everyone met you for the first time.


    It truly was suffocating.


    "That''s the thing though," Stephanie So, the host of Rotten Mango, says over the speakers of our car. My mom and I have always listened to true crime podcasts. On road trips, we don''t do music. We just listen to crime. "Victoria Caldwell was revered by everyone. That''s why everyone is so obsessed with this case."


    My mom clicks her tongue and presses pauses on her iPhone. "I can''t listen to that anymore," she says. "Not as I bring you to Riveroak."


    Victoria Caldwell has become almost as big as JonBenet Ramsey was back when her case broke in the 90s. An oil heiress and the queen bee of Riveroak Prep mysteriously disappeared one evening at the prestigious and elite school.  It was bound to get attention. Everywhere people have been obsessed with the theories. Some think she may be on the run. Some think her father might have pissed off a rival businessman which led to her kidnapping.


    Others think she''s dead.


    I just know that one day no one heard of this tiny school in the woods for the elite and prestigious, and then the next day it''s all anyone can talk about. The Caldwell family spokesperson has been on the news constantly giving surface-level updates from the family.


    I don''t know what I believe on the matter. The police have been quiet about the details of the case. There has been no breaking news since the statement from the school about her going missing. A part of me wonders if they have found anything regarding her disappearance and that''s why it''s been radio silent since being in the news.


    The real surprise came from her family when they announced that they will be hiring their own private investigator. Apparently, they aren''t happy with the way the investigation was being conducted.


    "Are you sure you want to do this, baby?" asks my mom.


    "Mom, you know I can''t stay there," I respond. "I feel-"


    "Suffocated," she cuts me off. Her nostrils flare, and I can see the frustration building up in her body as her shoulders tense and she white knuckles the steering wheel. "Yes, I know, but Elena, that girl just went missing last semester. You''re essentially taking her spot-"


    "In one of the most elite schools in the country that can help guarantee that I''ll get into a good school and help me get scholarships." It was my turn to cut her off. My mother has made her opinions known since I told her I was awarded the scholarship. "It''s dangerous! There''s a possibility what happened to that girl could happen to you too! " she shouted at me. This book is hosted on another platform. Read the official version and support the author''s work.


    But there''s nothing that can stop me when my mind is made up. Riveroak was a dream. Something that I never imagined could happen to someone like me. I remember looking into the school after Victoria had gone missing. I''d never heard of it before, but something about it called to me on the website. There was a page on the website that offered an opportunity for scholarship kids. I wrote an essay about how I wanted to leave Kilgore and make something of my life and them being my only chance out of my small town.


    I sent it in not thinking much of anything, and three weeks later they called me and offered me enrollment into the Spring Semester. My future was once going to be community college and working at a dive bar in hopes that I can earn enough money to transfer to a real university. Suddenly it was like the golden gates of paradise opened before my eyes and I was awarded something that I never expected.


    Something I''m still not sure I deserve.


    "I know you''re scared, Mom," I tell her. "But, disappearances happen every day. Kids from Kilgore don''t get chances like this. This is my one shot. I can actually be something."


    My mom''s face softens and she gives me a light smile. "I know what this means to you, Elena," she says. "It''s the only reason that I''m allowing you to go to this school."


    We drive in silence as the green forest passes along outside our car window. A soft drizzle starts to fall as we get deeper and deeper into Riveroak Woods. The very center of the forest will be my home for the next semester. Riveroak Prep.


    "I know this is hard for you," I finally say breaking the uncomfortable silence. "Thank you for letting me chase my dream."


    "Just promise me you''ll be safe."


    "Of course."


    "In two miles, turn left onto Riveroak Village Dr."  the GPS announces over the speakers.


    A shudder of excitement fluttered into my stomach. We left our small two-room home yesterday at five in the morning and drove for twelve hours until we reached the motel that was a little over the halfway point between Kilgore and Riveroak. We have been back in the car for 5 hours, and we are officially so close to being there.


    Close to my new life beginning.


    My stomach does a backflip as we make the turn onto Riveroak Village Dr. My mom sucks a gasp in as the school grounds officially come into view. Green hills line the area with beautiful wildflowers growing. A giant lake sits on the outskirts of the grounds, almost like a moat. The boys are sitting on camping chairs and fishing.


    I wonder if they''re in my grade. I think to myself as Mom drives to the gate and turns into the grounds.


    "This is like a college," my mom says.


    Large grey stone buildings that look like castles are scattered around the grounds. Each of the buildings has different signs that are plastered in large white letters above the entrances. STEM LABS, ATHLETIC CENTER, LITERATURE AND LANGUAGE STUDIES, GIRLS'' DORMITORY. BOYS'' DORMITORY, and FINE ARTS CENTER, are just some of the buildings that are labeled on the grounds.


    My mother drives down the long paved road and pulls up to the large building labeled FACULTY CENTER. A cheerful man with a round belly and red face smiles and waves at our car as we put it in the park and get out. I stretch my arms and legs as far as they''ll go when I get out. A blissful feeling erupts in my body as the man walks over to my mom and shakes her hand.


    "Welcome to Riveroak Prep, Ms. Ramos!" the man says. "Elena, welcome! My name is Dean Withers, I''m the Dean of Student Enrollment. We are so pleased to have you here at our facility. We just know that you''re going to find our school as charming as we found your application!"


    I smile at Mom as she walks to the trunk and pops it. "Mind if we drop her stuff off at the dorms?"


    "Absolutely!" says Dean Withers. "Oh before I forget!" He walks into the building and begins to pull out a large baggage cart. "We figured you would need this to help take your things to the dorm."


    "Thank God!" Mom jokes as he begins to unload all of the things I''ll need for the rest of this year. It takes about ten minutes to load up before we begin the long trek to the girl''s dormitory room. When we arrive at the door Mom looks at me and smiles.


    "You ready?"


    More than you could possibly know.

 Chapter 2

    My jaw drops when I walk into the large castle-like building. The plush red carpeting wraps around my tennis shoe from the second we step in. The tan walls are lined with pictures of various women that dated back all the way from the 1800s. Girls sit in the center of the room on a beautiful lounge couch set. All eyes are on me from the second I walk into the room, and I instantly start to blush but keep moving.


    "This way," says Dean Withers.


    He leads us to a golden elevator that sits inside the lobby area of the dormitory. As he pushes the button I look around the room in more depth. There''s a beautifully carved wooden staircase on either side of the elevator, that seems to go up five floors. Little designs are cut into the railings that look like ivy being sprawled around the rails. Across the room from the stairwell is a kitchen area where a few girls are cooking their own food. Stainless steel appliances are everywhere, and look way more expensive than the Walmart brand items we had at home. A plasma flat screen, bigger than anyone I''ve ever seen, is adorned on the wall between the stairs and the kitchen. A group of girls is gathered around it watching Project Runway.


    My mom nudges me as we wait for the elevator and wide-eyed mouths, "I can''t believe this is real!"


    When the elevator opens Dean Withers steps inside and my mom and I follow. He reaches over and pushes the button that leads to the third floor. The elevator opens into a direct hallway. The same red plush carpeting that lined the lobby of the building is in the hallway. Every couple of feet on the walls is a mini-golden chandelier.


    "This is nicer than the nicest hotel I''ve ever stayed in," my mother exclaims as Dean Withers chuckles and leads us down the hallway. He turns to the right and then stops at the door right on the corner. "I was worried you were going to be in some run-down place with another girl, but I don''t think you''ll have anything to worry about!"


    I hadn''t even considered that I would be sharing a room with someone for the first time. What if she smelled? Or blasted heavy metal music at three o''clock in the morning? Or worse, what if she''s just rude?


    "Here we are! Room 323!"


    Please don''t be a bitch. Please don''t be a bitch.


    He wraps his knuckles on the finished wood and smiles at us as I hear shuffling around the room inside. Something about this moment feels final. Like my life is going to change in a moment and now that I''ve committed to this path there isn''t any turning back.


    I look at my mom and raise my eyebrows in a nervous expression as the door swings open. Standing in the doorway is a living Barbie. She has long blonde hair that cascades down her back. Her make-up is perfectly done, and she is sporting a pair of black yoga pants and a red t-shirt.


    She smiles when sees us and reveals a pair of teeth that are so perfect I know they''re every dentist''s wet dream. "Dean Withers!" she says with a southern accent so strong I almost wonder if she''s faking it as a joke. "This must be my new roommate."


    "Ms. Summers, this is Elena Ramos and her mother. Elena, this is your roommate Gala Summers."


    "Pleasure to meet you!" she says sticking out her hand.


    "Nice to meet you too," I say as I take her hand.


    Something about Gala seems very polished. This interaction seems like she has been training her whole life to learn how to talk to people and how to present herself. She comes across warm and inviting. She steps aside out of the doorway and gestures for us to come in. "Please step inside! Make yourself at home."


    I push the baggage cart into the room and look around at the large space. The room is at least two times bigger than my room back home. There is a full-sized bed on either side. Gala''s side of the room is the one farthest from the door. A wall of crowns lines the shelves. Tons of sashes that say "Little Miss" something or other surround the crowns. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Each of the beds is raised and has a set of drawers that are placed all along the frame of them. There is a large dresser that is divided into two sections for each roommate to use. A big closet goes along the wall across from the beds. A large window is above each of the beds, and a bathroom with a shower is located in the room.


    "This is amazing," I say as I look around in wonder.


    "Ms. Ramos, if you don''t mind coming with me to fill out some paperwork I''d appreciate it."


    "Of course," my mom says. She looks at me and gives me a long hug. "I''m going to hit the road after I fill these out. I have a long trip back and I have a shift when I get home," she kisses the top of my head. "I love you. Be safe, baby."


    "I love you too, mom."


    We stand in a silent embrace before she takes a deep breath and lets go. "I''m going to be here all day doing this if I don''t leave now." She turns and waves to Gala before she follows Dean Withers out of the room.


    "That was so sweet," Gala says with a smile. When the door clicks shut Gala turns to me with the same plastered smile. "I''m sorry the room is a little bit of a mess," I look around the room and notice that there isn''t a single thing out of place. "I just got back from an event. I had to travel for Miss Teen Georgia."


    That explains the feeling of her being so polished. Also the crowns.


    "Wait, you''re crowned Miss Teen Georgia?" I ask my eyebrows lifting in surprise.


    "Reigning champ!" She beams.


    "Wow that''s like a major thing, isn''t it?" I ask. "Like that''s right below Miss Georgia?"


    "That''s the goal one day," she crosses over to her bed and sits crisscrossed on the bed. "So here''s the rundown. The school is small, and each floor has 20 rooms on the level. The junior class is the smallest class. We pretty much all travel together in some form or another. Except for the electives which are grade level mixed." She talks lightning fast and my head is swimming to try and keep up with her words. "Do you know what you''re doing yet for your extracurriculars?"


    "Huh?" I say dazed by the conversation. "No, not yet. I meet with the guidance counselor in the morning. I''m sorry I just feel a little overwhelmed."


    "This is a lot, isn''t it?" asks Gala seeing my face. "Sorry to stress you out. This place has a tendency to really wring you out your first couple of days. But I''m here to help you in any way that I can."


    Appreciation floods into me as I grab one of my bags off the baggage cart and lay it on my bed with the bare mattress. I open up my suitcase and grab the sheets and begin to open them. A sniffle sounds in the room and I turn to see Gala wiping tears from her eyes.


    "Everything okay?" I ask her confused.


    "Sorry!" says Gala as she wipes her eyes furiously. "I thought it wouldn''t be weird seeing someone moving in here after she went missing, but it is very strange seeing someone new in her bed."


    I feel my blood run cold in my body. I turn to Gala with a shocked expression on my face. "Who are you talking about?" I already know the answer. My heart beat is beating hellaciously fast and a cold sweat breaks across my forehead.


    "Victoria-" croaks Gala.


    "Gala I-"


    The door to the room swings open and a stunning girl with dark skin struts into the room. Her hair falls in beautiful ringlets that go to her mid-back. She walks directly to Gala and throws her arms around her in a dramatic motion.


    "Gala! Sweetie! I''ve missed you!"


    She hasn''t yet acknowledged my presence as they exchange pleasantries so I continue to put the sheets on my bed. As I put the last corner on the mattress I realize the room has gone quiet. I turn and see the girl and Gala staring at me.


    I guess I''ve been acknowledged.


    "You must be the new girl," says the room intruder. "My name is Anne-Marie Coleman. It''s nice to meet you. Your roomies with Gala so I''m sure we''ll see a lot of each other!"


    Something about Anne-Marie doesn''t sit right with me. While Gala radiated a warm and welcome energy Anne-Marie comes across standoffish and cold. "Nice to meet you," I say as I extend my hand to her.


    "Oh honey please, how old are we, seventy?" she walks over and gives me a hug. "Welcome to Riveroak. I''ll tell you what why don''t you come and eat dinner with us and I''ll introduce you to the girls and get you settled."


    "Oh I really appreciate it," I tell her. "But my mom made a ton of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I think I''m just going to use this time to get settled before classes start again. Rain check until tomorrow?"


    "I''ll see you in an hour," says Anne-Marie definitively as she turns on her heel and walks to the door. Before she walks out of the frame she looks at me and smiles. "Oh, and wear something nice. These kids will eat you alive, and first impressions are everything."


    Something about the way she said first impressions make me feel like I did not make a good impression on Anne-Marie Coleman.