The calmness of the lake doesn’t seem to calm her as the events of the past month continue to replay over and over. The seclusion of the lake house and the lack of socialization ravage her soul as the days flash before her. Death continues to lurk around every corner, waiting for her. She can’t hide from him forever, but hopefully just a little longer. Pulling the blanket close to her body as the cool breeze brushes against her skin, she watches Death in the distance, just watching her and waiting for her to make a mistake.

Six Months Earlier

It has been raining for hours with no relief, and the streets below Destinee’s loft apartment are flooding. She cradles her knees against her chest as she recalls the forewarnings from strangers over the past few days; Death is coming. At first, she thought it was a prank, but what joke would take people’s lives, especially those she had an argument with shortly before their lives were taken unexpectedly. All she wants is her life back and the curse to find another host.

Her cell phone rings, but she ignores Jacob again.

The stormy evenings always bring back memories of her childhood and her deceased adoptive parents’ stories about the night she was found crying on their porch. The storm destroyed several homes and churches in the town when the dam broke, causing unforeseeable flooding and death. Somehow, she survived unharmed and safe from the elements. Her biological parents were never found and never came looking for her. She loved her adoptive parents, but a piece of her heart is empty, yearning for her biological family

A faint knock on the door disrupts her thoughts.