Her Shadowed Grin by Lamar Golden & Liana Golden

Author:Lamar Golden & Liana Golden [Golden, Lamar & Golden, Liana]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Lamar Golden
Published: 2025-03-18T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 7: A Shattered Community

When dawn broke, the quiet suburban neighborhood awoke to find itself steeped in horror. Blood stained the sidewalks, shattered windows gaped like jagged wounds, and broken doors hung limply on their hinges. The serenity of the cul-de-sac was replaced with an oppressive silence, punctuated only by the murmurs of law enforcement and the soft hum of forensics equipment.

Maria hadn’t returned home.

For Daniel and his children, this absence was as unnerving as her rampages. With each passing hour, the knowledge that Maria was loose somewhere in the world tightened like a noose around their lives. But the rest of the neighborhood had no idea what kind of terror had passed through in the night—no idea who was responsible.

Across the street, Mrs. Calloway sat rigid on her porch swing, her hands trembling as she clutched a now-cold mug of coffee. Her gaze was fixed on the crimson streak that marred her front walkway. The lifeless body of the young boy, her neighbor’s son, had been taken away by the coroner just hours before. Yet the image of his twisted, broken form was burned into her mind.

Detective Owen Rourke approached her cautiously, his notepad in hand. “Ma’am,” he began gently, “I need to ask you some questions. Anything you can remember from last night could help us.”

She looked up, her eyes hollow. “It wasn’t human,” she whispered, her voice barely audible.

“Pardon?” Rourke leaned closer.

“It was Maria,” she said, her voice trembling. “But… it wasn’t her. I saw her eyes through my window—black as coal with those glowing green slits. She didn’t look human.”

Rourke stiffened. He had heard wild descriptions from other neighbors already, tales of an animal-like figure with clawed hands and inhuman strength. But hearing this from a mild-mannered elderly widow made his stomach churn. He jotted it down, though his skepticism remained.

“Thank you, Mrs. Calloway,” he said, stepping away. He gestured for his partner to join him. “We’re dealing with something that defies reason,” he muttered. “It’s like a horror story come to life.”

At the Turner residence, Daniel sat on the edge of his couch, his head buried in his hands. The guilt of Maria’s escape weighed heavily on him, compounding his fear for the safety of his children. Ethan paced anxiously across the room, his movements sharp and agitated.

“This is my fault,” Ethan blurted, his voice cracking. “I should’ve checked the door again. If I hadn’t—”

“Stop it,” Daniel said sharply, lifting his head. His face was pale, his eyes bloodshot from a sleepless night. “It wasn’t your fault.”

“Yes, it was!” Ethan yelled, his voice echoing through the tense silence. “If I hadn’t been careless, she’d still be locked in the house, and none of this would’ve happened!”

Daniel stood and placed his hands on Ethan’s shoulders. “Listen to me,” he said, his voice steady but firm. “This isn’t on you. None of us could’ve predicted this. She’s stronger now—stronger than ever before. Even if you’d locked the door, she might’ve found another way out.”

Ethan’s shoulders sagged, but his expression remained haunted.

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