Prologue: Ricky

She struggled beneath me, desperate and gasping for air.

"No, please... stop," she choked out in a whisper. I could see the life draining from her beautiful face the tighter I squeezed. Suddenly, I felt her knee collide with my groin. I grunted and fell to the side, releasing her from my grasp. I heard her cough, then struggle to get up and move away from me. As she got up, I recovered quickly and grabbed her ankle. She screamed as she hit the floor, then tried to pull herself away from me once more. I flipped her over and moved on top of her, placing my

hands around her neck once more.

"No, no, no," she sobbed, trying to pull my hands away. "I'm sorry... I'm sorry!"

"Why couldn't you just love me, Kimberly," I asked quietly in despair. My grasp tightened until she stopped struggling. Her blue eyes stared blankly at me, not a trace of life left. I closed them gently, then wined the tears from her nale cheeks Then I saw my own tears starting to fall onto her face. I stroked her beautiful black hair, then bent down and kissed her forehead.

"I love you, my beloved," I whispered into her ear. I moved off of her and stared down at her lifeless body. Why did she have to try and escape? Why did she try and leave me? I thought she loved me... I thought she wanted me... I wanted her to want me like I wanted her. And now she's gone forever... and it was my fault. It only meant one thing, though.

She wasn't the right one either.

"Goddammit!" I shouted, smashing a hole in the wall beside me. I stayed there a moment, then pulled away. It was time to move on. Kimberly was gone. She wasn't coming back. And even if she did, she would never love me. Where do I keep going wrong?

I walked over to the phone she had on her nightstand and called 911.

"911, what's your emergency?" a woman said.

"She's dead," I whispered, tears rolling down my cheeks.

"Sir, who's dead? What is your location?" she asked, trying to remain calm.

"She didn't love me," I said. I then lowered the phone from my ear and glanced at her body again.

"Hello, sir? Stay on the line. I'm dispatching officers to your location," I heard her say. I hung up before she could say anything else, then dropped the phone onto the hardwood floor. It broke, plastic pieces flying in various directions of the

room.

I kneeled down and took one last look at her, then noticed the necklace around her neck. It was a silver locket with her name engraved onto it. I gently reached behind her neck and unclasped it, then put it into my pocket. I kissed her forehead for the last time, then turned and left, not glancing back.

"Goodbye, my sweet Kimberly," I whispered into the silence.

Hello!

It's been a while since things have been updated, but I'm finding my passion for writing again and hope to edit/upload more to the Controlled series! I went ahead and published all parts of Controlled and will slowly update things. I have also published the sequel after multiple requests to do so. It is not edited or updated; I'm working on more novels but hope to update things here and there. Always feel free to message me!

XOXO

-Courtney

Chapter One: Sophie

I sat there, staring at the board, and watched my English teacher, Ms. Truppet, scribble something onto it. I'd never really cared for my English class. I thought it was a pointless subject. Anyone who passed elementary school would know what a noun or a verb was, or whatever Ms. Truppet was teaching today.

I sighed, remembering Mom was leaving for her

flight to Chicago today. Again, I would be alone for however long she decided to be gone. I frowned bitterly to myself, only half-listening to Mrs. Truppet's lecture when she called on me.

"Sophie!"

I jumped, startled at the sound of Ms. Truppet's impatient voice. "Are you paying attention?"

I stared at her impassively. "Umm," I stammered.

Ms. Truppet looked like her patience was wearing thin. She frowned and said, "If you can't concentrate on the lesson, Miss Anderson, I am going to have to ask you to leave. Are we clear?"

I nodded, painstakingly embarrassed. I slid down in my seat and muttered, "Yes ma'am." A few minutes later, the bell echoed through the intercom, signaling school was finally out for the day. I got up and bolted towards the door, pushing my way out of the classroom. The hallways were becoming more crowded by the second, so I hurried past people, walking in the direction of the parking lot. When I made it to the door, I pushed it open and squinted against the bright sunlight.

"Sophie!"

I stopped and turned when I heard my name being called. One of my best friends, Zoey, made her way through the crowd towards me. I smiled at her. "Hey, Zoey."

"Coming tonight?" she asked excitedly, tucking a few strands of long, blonde hair behind her ear.

"Where?"

"To see that new horror movie that just came out. Some of us are going."

"Umm," I mumbled. "Maybe."

Her smile vanished. "What's wrong?"

I looked up at her, faking a half-smile. "Mom's leaving on another business trip."

"Ah," she said, nodding in understanding. We walked in silence for a minute, then she turned to me. "Come with us tonight, Sophie. You can't stay in that house alone every time your mom leaves on another business trip."

I let out a sigh. "I know, I just wish she wouldn't leave all the time. It gets lonely, you know, especially when my dad isn't around either."

Zoey grew silent, glancing at me with sullen eyes. "I know."

Zoey knew I hated to talk about my dad. It was a painful memory for me, so I never talked about him.

"Anyways," I said in a more positive mood. "My night will be filled with Lifetime movies and Mac N' Cheese."

Zoey laughed, but I could tell it was forced. "Come with us tonight," she begged. "You can't stay in that house by yourself every time your mom leaves on another business trip. You're going to go insane." 1

Rolling my eyes, I sighed. "Oh fine, I'll come to the movies with you guys tonight."

She bumped my shoulder. "Justin will be there."

I glanced at her and she winked. I couldn't fight the smile that crept onto my lips. "Anyways," she went on, "We're meeting at seven, then going out to eat afterward."

"Okay, I'm in," I said.

"Awesome!" she cheered.

We walked out to the parking lot together, and I groaned inwardly when traffic was starting to slow down. Trying to get out of this school was a nightmare, especially since there were three hundred seniors trying to get out of the parking lot at once.

"I'm over here," Zoey said, heading off in the other direction. "I'll see you tonight!"

"See you!" We waved at each other and I walked towards my car, dodging other cars in the process. I finally found my car and got into it, wishing I could just dodge traffic and be home already.

Surprisingly enough, I got out of the parking lot within just a few minutes. I drove straight home, hoping to catch my mom before she had to leave for her flight. I know she would wait until the last for her flight. I know she would wait until the last possible second to leave just so she could say bye to me, but I still wanted to hurry.

As I pulled into the driveway, I saw my mom coming out of the front door. I frowned when I saw her in her business outfit. Her auburn hair was in a tight bun, light makeup shadowed her eyes, and she was rolling a suitcase to her car. I hated when she looked like that because didn't look like a mom when she dressed like that. She looked like she belonged in one of the skyscraper buildings in New York, complete with an assistant and secretary.

"Hello honey!" she said cheerfully to me as I got out of my car. "I'm just leaving for the airport."

"At least I made it back before you left," I said nonchalantly. "How long will you be gone this time?"

I glanced at my mom when she hesitated. I knew she didn't want to tell me because she knew I wouldn't like it. Sighing, she told me anyway. "About a week or so," she said, frowning. "It all depends on which clients we deal with this time. You know how women in Chicago can be when it comes to their home designs."

For her flight. I know she would wait until the last possible second to leave just so she could say bye to me, but I still wanted to hurry.

As I pulled into the driveway, I saw my mom coming out of the front door. I frowned when I saw her in her business outfit. Her auburn hair was in a tight bun, light makeup shadowed her eyes, and she was rolling a suitcase to her car. I hated when she looked like that because didn't look like a mom when she dressed like that. She looked like she belonged in one of the skyscraper buildings in New York, complete with an assistant and secretary.

"Hello honey!" she said cheerfully to me as I got out of my car. "I'm just leaving for the airport."

"At least I made it back before you left," I said nonchalantly. "How long will you be gone this time?"

I glanced at my mom when she hesitated. I knew she didn't want to tell me because she knew I wouldn't like it. Sighing, she told me anyway. "About a week or so," she said, frowning. "It all depends on which clients we deal with this time. You know how women in Chicago can be when it comes to their home designs."

I forced a smile. My mom was a home designer, almost like an agent for people when they wanted to remodel their homes. My mom is creative when it comes to things like that, and she doesn't see it as much of a job as a hobby. A hobby that pays the bills, no less. Even so, I wish she could be home more often.

She threw her arms around me and hugged me tightly, then kissed my cheek. "Call me every night to let me know you're okay."

"Okay mom," I promised, kissing her cheek. "I'll miss you."

She rubbed my back, then pulled away and ducked into her car. "Oh, I forgot. I transferred some more money into your bank account for food and anything else you might need while I'm gone."

"Thanks, mom." I gave her a half-smile in appreciation.

"Well, if I don't leave now I'll miss my flight," she said. "Bye Sophie. I love you!"

"Love you, too," I mumbled as she pulled out of the driveway. I waved when she waved at me. When she drove around the corner, I let out a sigh.

She drove around the corner, I let out a sigh.

Home alone... again. I loved that my mom trusted me enough to stay at home alone for long periods like this. I wasn't the type of person to throw parties, do drugs, or drink often. And I definitely wasn't the type of person to invite a guy over to have sex. She knew I wasn't that girl. For me, a great night would be sitting on my bed, drinking hot cocoa, and watching a cheesy Lifetime movie.

I grabbed my backpack from my car and walked into the house, only to be greeted by Naomi, my German shepherd. I bent down and she licked my face. "Hey there, girl," I laughed. "I missed you, too."

I stood back up and walked into the kitchen, threw my bookbag on the counter, and walked over to the fridge. When I opened it, I frowned in disapproval. It was hardly stocked; the fridge consisted of a half carton of eggs, a jug of milk, some leftover pasta, and apples. I sighed and settled for an apple.

"Well girl," I said, taking a bite of the apple and turning to Naomi. She sat in the kitchen entrance, staring at me. "It's just you and me for a week. And it looks like I'll be going shopping."

She barked once, then retreated into the living room. I walked out of the kitchen and down the hall into my room. It was almost five o'clock, so I had some time before I had to leave for the movies. I kicked off my shoes and peeled my jacket off.

It was too quiet in the house. I liked quiet, but I hated it when it was this silent.

"Time for some music," I muttered to myself, plugging my phone into the speaker on my dresser. There was always a plus side to being home alone. And most of the time that meant loud music.

As I sang along with the music, as horrible as my singing was, I stripped off my clothes and walked into my bathroom to take a shower. I usually took fast showers, but singing while rinsing shampoo from my hair proved to be a challenge in itself when it came to not getting soap in my mouth. When I got out, I wrapped myself in a towel and moved about my room, picking out some clothes to wear for the movies.

At six-thirty, I left the house and made my way to the movie theater. Fifteen minutes later, I was music.

As I sang along with the music, as horrible as my singing was, I stripped off my clothes and walked into my bathroom to take a shower. I usually took fast showers, but singing while rinsing shampoo from my hair proved to be a challenge in itself when it came to not getting soap in my mouth. When I got out, I wrapped myself in a towel and moved about my room, picking out some clothes to wear for the movies.

At six-thirty, I left the house and made my way to the movie theater. Fifteen minutes later, I was pulling into the small parking lot about a block away from the theater itself. It was old, surrounded by brick buildings on three sides, complete with a cracked sidewalk and barely visible white paint that determined each parking spot. Usually, the theater's parking lot got ridiculously crowded, so parking a good distance from it proved to be better. The parking lot I usually parked in was behind a bar, so it rarely got crowded.

I walked down the sidewalk, hugging my jean jacket against me and shivering against the chilly breeze. It never got freezing cold in Florida, so most of the people here weren't used to the fifty-

Degree weather. Personally, I favored the sun and beach. That's just the Floridian in me, though.

"Sophie!"

I turned and saw Zoey and her boyfriend Jeremy, walking towards me from another separate parking lot away from the theater. I stopped and waited for them.

"Hey guys," I said. When they caught up to me, we walked the short to the movie theater together.

"Julia and Tyler should be coming," Zoey said as we walked up to the ticket booth. "And Justin."

I flashed a smile. As if she knew he was walking up behind her, Justin showed up and threw his arm around me.

"Speak of the devil and he will appear," I teased, smirking playfully.

"Hi to you too," he laughed, ruffling my hair. I lightly hit his side and pushed away from him when he went to poke me. Justin and I were pretty much like first-graders when it came to teasing each other. He was my best friend though, so I deemed it acceptable behavior between us. A few minutes later, Julia and her boyfriend, Tyler, joined us. We all bought our tickets and went into the theater.

Two hours later, the movie was over. Zoey and Julia said they would be right back, and Jeremy and Tyler went over to the mini-arcade most movie theaters have. Justin and I walked outside, only to be greeted by the chilly air. It had become completely dark outside, so it was even chillier than before the movie started. I shivered, crossing my arms over my chest.

Justin threw his arm around me again and pulled me close to him. "Someone's cold," he teased.

My lips curved into a half-smile. "Is it that obvious?"

"Of course it is," he laughed. I laughed with him, then he added, "Are you coming to eat with us?"

I thought for a minute, then shook my head. "No, I have to get home."

His smile faded and he gave me a look of disappointment, but he didn't show it long. "Next time then."

"Definitely," I promised. "Will you tell Zoey I said bye? I have a feeling she's going to be in the bathroom for more than a few minutes."

"Sure," he said. "I'll see you later."

I gave him a half-hug and moved out of his embrace. For a second, I wish I hadn't told him no to going out to eat, but I was getting too tired to stay out. Plus, I had school tomorrow. I waved and walked away from him.

As I walked down the sidewalk, I decided that I didn't think this decision through very well. The streetlights were, for some reason, too far apart away from each other, making it harder to see

down the street.

It was quiet, except for the breeze or the occasional car horn. I was walking by myself, but for some reason, I didn't quite feel alone. Suddenly, I heard faint footsteps. I slowed down and turned. No one was behind me, nor was anyone on the other side of the street. I continued walking, trying to ignore how paranoid I was getting.

You're okay, Soph. You're almost to your car, I kept telling myself. Finally, I approached the tiny lot and saw my car. It was one of the three cars there, and couldn't decide if that was a good thing or a bad

Thing. I could feel someone staring at me again like eyes were burning into me. I looked around again, but no one was there. I pulled my keys out of my pocket and went to unlock my car. A car horn beeped behind me, followed by loud hollering and music. I jumped, gasping as I dropped my keys.

"Dammit," I muttered. I turned around and watched a truck full of what seemed like college students speed down the street. Frustrated, I bent down and picked my keys up. The hollering and music faded as the truck sped down the narrow street. I almost laughed, though. My stupid paranoia was getting the best of me again. Shaking my head, I got into my car and drove him.

I pulled into the driveway and turned off the car. Headlights in my rearview mirror caught my eye. I stared, watching a dark car drive by slowly. I got a bad feeling but shook it off and got out of the car. I heard Naomi barking from inside the house, obviously happy to see that I was finally home. She was peering at me from the window by the door. I unlocked the front door and walked inside.

"Hey girl," I greeted softly, petting her. She licked my hand and trotted away into the living room. Now that I was finally inside the house, I felt a wave of tiredness hit me. I sat with Naomi on the couch and felt chills down my back. I gazed around the dimly-lit living room and felt like I wasn't completely alone, but I pushed the paranoia away again and closed my eyes, telling myself I was safe inside the house.

But something in the back of my mind told me that I wasn't safe at all.

Chapter Two: Ricky

The bar was smoky and smelled of stale cigars and whiskey. I usually didn't drink, especially not out in the open and in public, but it seemed to be the only thing to suppress the pain I felt when I thought about Kimberly. I took another sip of my brandy and watched as the bartender as he made his way over to me.

"Need another?" he asked, throwing a towel over his shoulder.

I considered it a moment, then shook my head. "No, thank you."

He nodded as if understanding. "Just let me know if you need anything." Then he walked away.

I finished my drink, then finally left the bar. Being there for three hours proved to become somewhat of a mistake, but as I stepped outside, the cool air hitting my face calmed me down. I walked down the cracked sidewalk, and to where, I wasn't sure. I was never sure anymore. Leaving the Tampa area crossed my mind, and I dwelled on the thought of moving on. Losing Kimberly was painful enough, so why stay somewhere that would just hurt me even more?

Then I saw her.

I watched as she emerged from the movie theater. Her hair was long and brown like smooth chocolate. Her tanned skin glowed, even in this chilly weather. She laughed, and I almost fell over when I saw her smile.

Everything about her was captivating. And I knew right then that I wanted her.

I wanted to claim her as my own. She would be mine, and I would love her more than life itself. Kimberly was just a distant memory now. All I wanted was her. And I decided that I would have her. She would want me as I wanted her, and I was going to make sure of that.

Then, some guy who stood beside her put his arm around her. I felt the anger shooting through me and I could hardly control myself. Then, she moved away from him and waved goodbye. She started walking the way I had just come from, except on the opposite side of the street.

I needed to know where she was going. I needed to know where she lived, what she likes, where she goes to school... everything. But I couldn't meet her yet. No, not yet. I needed to know about her first.

I crossed the street and began following her, staying a safe distance away. Suddenly, she turned around. I panicked and slid into a narrow ally that was beside me. Please, don't let her have seen me, I prayed. A few seconds later, I heard footsteps again. I peered out and saw her walking again, but faster this time. Still keeping my distance, I began following her again.

She turned and crossed the street to the parking lot that was behind the bar I had come out of earlier. A truck full of obnoxious teenagers sped down the road in a red truck, hollering out the window. I frowned bitterly as they drove past. I watched as the girl jumped and dropped her keys. I stepped forward, feeling the urge to retrieve them and hand them to her, but hesitated. I couldn't reveal myself to her just yet, so I stayed in the shadows. She bent down and picked her keys up, then got into her car. I waited until she pulled out of the parking lot, then I stepped out from behind the brick wall and quickly made my way to my own car, which was parked a few spots from where hers parking lot as fast as I could to catch up to her. It wasn't so hard to do, since there weren't many cars out. I stayed behind her at a distance until she pulled into her neighborhood. She pulled into a driveway and sat in her car. I drove past what I assumed to be her house and parked a few hundred feet from her driveway. I watched in the rearview mirror as she got out of the car and walked into her house.

It took all of my self-control to not jump out of my car to claim her on the spot. The driving urge inside me wanted to take control and steal her away. The frustration was getting to me, but I tried to calm down. She probably didn't like it when someone was frustrated. I would change myself for her, so she could see that I was the one for her. All I

wanted was her.

And I would get her. As soon as I knew more about her.

I drove past her house and parked on the opposite side of the street. A light came on from one of the windows, and her shadow appeared in it a few seconds later. No other cars were in the driveway, so I assumed she was home alone.

00:22

00:27

The thought of meeting her excited me. I wanted her more than anything. But only one thing was holding me back. One thing that was the most important, and the one thing I needed to know the most.

Her name.