Megan twirled her fiery red hair around her finger, the ends tickling her nose as she stared out the window of the small, rickety bus. The dusty Texas landscape rolled by in a lazy wave of heat mirages. The town looked almost the same as it did when she left for university three years ago, but smaller somehow, like the world had shrunk around her childhood memories. She had only returned occasionally for family celebratio...

Laura parked in the parking lot just as one of the employees flipped the sign on the front door to indicate the store was closed. The day before, she had advised Megan against coming to this store by herself. Despite her efforts, she had received a text at noon revealing Megan's new summer job at Tyrone's place. Although not entirely shocked, Laura felt a tinge of concern, especially considering the gossip surrounding the...