| October 6, 2023 – 12:15 PM
Lin pulled into Greenleaf Nursery, the largest garden center within an hour's drive. It was family-owned, had been for generations, and had the best selection of trees, shrubs, and perennials in the area.
And, apparently, it was also the latest place she had a reputation.
Because the second she stepped out of her truck, a woman near the entrance nudged her coworker and whispered, "That's her."
Lin smirked. She wasn't even in town that long, and she was already getting pointed at.
She grabbed a cart and strolled inside. Fine. Let them whisper. She had plants to buy.
| October 6, 2023 – 12:30 PM
Lin had barely made it past the ornamental trees when an older man—mid-sixties, wiry, and sharp-eyed—stepped out from behind a display of potted maples.
"City girl."
Lin glanced up from a tag labeled "Drought-Resistant Evergreens" and smirked. "Tree guy."
Robert Hastings, owner of Greenleaf Nursery, gave her a knowing look. "Didn't expect to see you here."
Lin arched an eyebrow. "You think I moved out there for the view?"
Robert snorted, crossing his arms. "So, what's the plan? You planting a forest?"
Lin tapped the tag in her hand. "Something like that. Windbreaks, shade trees, a few decorative things for the glamping site. And maybe a fruit orchard if I can make it work."
Robert let out a low whistle. "Ambitious. You even know what grows well out there?"
Lin grinned. "That's why I'm here, isn't it?"
| October 6, 2023 – 1:00 PM
An hour later, Lin stood beside her truck, going over her purchases while Robert supervised like a general surveying his troops.
✔ Windbreak Trees – Fast-growing evergreens to line the property and block winter winds.
✔ Shade Trees – A mix of oak, maple, and willow for the glamping area.
✔ Fruit Trees – A selection of apples, pears, and cherries for a small orchard.
✔ Flowering Shrubs – Something to make the farm look less like a fortress.
Robert nodded approvingly as his employees loaded everything into the truck. "Not bad choices, city girl."
Lin smirked. "I try."
Robert leaned against the truck bed, watching her. "You really planning to stay out there? Most people who buy that place don't last a year."
Lin tilted her head. "Most people didn't plan ahead."
Robert studied her for a long moment, then huffed a laugh. "Alright then. I'll expect to see you back for more in the spring."
Lin grinned. "Count on it."
She climbed into the truck, started the engine, and pulled onto the road—another step closer to making the farm exactly what she needed it to be.
| October 6, 2023 – 1:30 PM
Lin drove down the quiet stretch of highway, her truck heavy with trees and supplies. The nursery was behind her, the farm still thirty minutes away.
She should've been focused on the road.
But then—something caught her eye.
An abandoned bike.
It was tipped over on the shoulder, half in the grass, one wheel still spinning lazily in the breeze. No car nearby. No rider in sight.
Lin's fingers tightened on the wheel.
She slowed down. Not stopping. Not yet. Just enough to get a better look.
It wasn't rusted or broken—this wasn't some old junker someone tossed.
It looked new. Expensive. The kind of hybrid mountain bike someone actually cared about.
And yet—no one was here.
Lin pulled over a few yards ahead, leaving the engine running as she grabbed her phone. She didn't like this.
Not one bit.
Because abandoned things? They were never just abandoned.
| October 6, 2023 – 1:32 PM
Lin locked the truck doors immediately.
One hand on the wheel, the other already dialing the sheriff's office. She didn't know what this was, but she knew better than to get out and find out alone.
The line rang twice before a voice picked up.
"Sheriff's Office, this is Deputy Porter."
Of course, it was Eric.
Lin exhaled, keeping her tone even. "Porter, it's Zhang."
There was a pause. "Zhang. What's wrong?"
Lin glanced at the bike through her windshield. "I'm on Route 19, about twenty minutes from Maep's. There's an abandoned bike on the side of the road. No sign of the rider."
Eric was silent for half a second longer than normal. "What kind of bike?"
"Hybrid mountain. New. Pricey."
Another pause. "You see anything else?"
Lin scanned the area. "Nothing obvious. No cars. No footprints in the dirt. Just a bike tipped over, like someone left in a hurry."
Eric let out a slow breath. "Stay in your truck, Zhang. I'll send someone out."
Lin smirked despite herself. "You think I'm getting out to investigate? What do I look like, a horror movie extra?"
Eric huffed a laugh. "Just sit tight. If you see anything moving, call me back immediately."
"Got it."
She hung up but didn't put the phone down.
Instead, she kept her eyes on the tree line, fingers resting near the lock button.
Because something about this didn't feel random.
And if someone was watching? She wanted to see them first.
| October 6, 2023 – 1:35 PM
Lin didn't move.
She sat in her locked truck, one hand resting on the gear shift, the other gripping her phone. The abandoned bike lay ahead, half-hidden in the grass, its front wheel still twitching slightly like it had just been dropped.
The road was empty. No cars. No footsteps. No sound except for the faint rustling of trees in the afternoon breeze.
And yet—something felt off.
Lin's instincts screamed at her to stay alert.
She adjusted her mirrors, checking her surroundings without turning her head too much. If someone was out there, she wasn't going to give them the satisfaction of knowing she was looking.
| October 6, 2023 – 1:38 PM
A flash of movement.
Lin's grip on the wheel tightened. Something shifted near the treeline—just a flicker, a break in the pattern of leaves.
Not the wind.
Not an animal.
Lin exhaled slowly. She wasn't panicking—but she wasn't stupid either.
She lifted her phone, thumb hovering over Eric's contact. She could call him back right now.
But whoever was watching? They'd hear the sirens before anyone actually arrived.
And Lin wanted to know who they were first.
She adjusted her rearview mirror slightly, angling it toward the trees.
And then—she waited.
| October 6, 2023 – 1:45 PM
Lin spotted the flashing lights first.
A single patrol car crested the hill, moving at a steady pace—not rushed, but deliberate. Too slow for an emergency, too fast for a casual drive.
She exhaled, watching as the car pulled up behind her truck.
The side of the vehicle read "Willow Creek Police Department."
Not Maep's.
Not Eric.
Interesting.
The driver's door opened first. A man in his late forties stepped out, uniform crisp, badge polished. He had the look of someone who'd been doing this job a long time—not necessarily good at it, but comfortable.
The passenger door opened a second later, revealing a younger officer—mid-twenties, fresh-faced, still carrying the stiffness of someone who hadn't been on the job long enough to relax.
Lin didn't move. She rolled down her window just enough to talk but kept her doors locked.
The older officer approached first, squinting slightly. "Afternoon, miss. You the one who called this in?"
Lin nodded. "Yep. Lin Zhang. I reported it to the Maep's sheriff's office."
The man grunted, glancing at the bike. "Yeah, well, this stretch of road falls under Willow Creek jurisdiction. Name's Lieutenant Howard. This here's Officer Miller." He gestured toward the younger cop, who gave her a polite nod.
Lin kept her expression neutral. "Didn't realize the jurisdiction line was this close."
Howard shrugged. "Barely is. But when a call like this comes through, we check it out." He tipped his chin toward the bike. "You see anyone?"
Lin hesitated for half a second.
She could mention the movement in the trees.
But something told her not to.
Not yet.
Instead, she shook her head. "No one. Just the bike, like it was dropped."
Howard scratched his jaw. "Huh. We got a missing persons report yesterday. Teenager, sixteen. Parents said he took his bike out and never came home."
Lin's fingers tightened on the wheel.
Howard sighed, muttering. "Damn kid's probably just holed up at a friend's house, avoiding trouble."
Miller glanced at his superior. "You think so, sir?"
Howard grunted. "Nine times outta ten, that's what it is." He looked back at Lin. "You local?"
Lin smiled slightly. "New to town."
Howard gave her another once-over. "Right. Well, appreciate the call. We'll take it from here."
Lin nodded but didn't roll up her window yet. "Mind if I ask something?"
Howard tilted his head. "Depends."
Lin kept her voice casual. "Has this been happening a lot? People going missing?"
Howard paused for just a second.
Then—a shrug. "People leave small towns all the time, miss. Nothing unusual."
Liar.
Lin smiled politely. "Good to know."
She put her truck in gear, watching in her mirror as the two officers examined the bike.
And as she pulled away, one thought ran through her mind.
That kid isn't just avoiding trouble.
Something's wrong.