8/9/2019 Black heart preface

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Preface.

Twomonthsago***

RosemaryDeckerwasirratedatheroldersister.ShehadrefusedRosemaryfromgoingouttoseeamoviewithherfriends,andimmediatelysenthertoherroomwhensheargued.Shewishedherparentswerearoundsoshecouldgoout.Hermot

herwentmissingwhenRosemaryhadbeenoneyearold,andattheageoffour,herfatherwentmissingaswell.BothRosemary'ssisterslookedafterher,replacingherparents,andtheydidaprettygoodjob.Joannewassixteenatthetime,andTanyawasten.Evennow,attheageofseventeen,Rosemary'ssistersstilllookedafterherandcaredforher."It'stoolateout.Youdon'tknowwhatcouldhappentoyou,"Joannereasoned."Iwon'tknowifIdon't,"Rosemaryretorted."Idon'tcare,you'renotgoingouttonight,"afterthatRosemarystormedtoherroomandgotchanged.Shewasgoing,whetherhersisterscaredornot.Shedressedinherskimpydress,apowderblue,highlightinghereyesthatstoppedhighonherthigh.Shedidn'tbotherbringingherphonebecausesheknewthathersis

terswouldtryandreachherassoonastheyfoundhermissing.Sheslidopenthewindowandclimbedassilentlyasacatacrossthelawnanddownthestreet.Sheturnrightandkeptgoing,butsoonshegotlost.Wherewasitagain?Shecursedherselfforforgettingherwayandnotbringingherphone.Shespottedasmalloldishmanandwalkedtowardshim,hopinghe'dnothewaytothetown."Hello,mydear."themansaid,suspiciouslystaringatherface."My,my,aren'tyouabeautifulyounglady,""Well,thankyou,Sir.Iwashopingyou'dknowthewaytowardsthetown.Iseemtohavelostmyway."Rosemarysaid,andthemangrinned.Rosemarythoughttheman'scainineswereextremelysharp."Tellmemydear.Howoldareyou?"themanasked,lookingatheronceover.

"Um,Iamseventeen,sir.Butcanyouhelpmefindmyway?"Shewasstrugglingtokeephertemper."Suchaperfectage,indeed.Youwilldowell,"anxietyspikedandshebackedaway."I'lljustfindsomeoneelsetohelpme,sorryforwaistingyourtime,"shesaidhastily,turningaroundandnearlyrunningaway.Shefeltmovementbehindher,butshedidn'thavetimetolook.Apainbrokethroughherneckandhermouthwascoveredbeforeshecouldmakeasound.Shefeltherselfgettingdraggedoffthesidewalkandbehindthebushes,andwhenshetriedtolookbackattheman,shefoundhismouthonherneck.'mine'sheheardthevoiceinherheadbeforeasheslippedaway.Herlastthoughtwasabouthowshecouldn'tsaysorrytohersistersfornotlisteningtothem

aboutstayingintonight...