She was digging. He had to escalate his plans. He took another girl, but she was too weak. She couldn't handle him. He'd had to kill her.

She wasn't Ashleigh. No one could be Ashleigh. Ashleigh had been perfect. Until she wasn't. Then she came along. An angel, like a gift from God. Shimmering golden hair, perfect body, killer smile, and such innocent eyes. They weren't so innocent now, but she was still what he wanted most.

Her bedroom was messy. He liked it. It made him think of other things that could be messy.

A cup of tea stood on her night stand. He poured a sedative into it. He hoped that it would help her sleep. She'd looked so tired recently, it was making him worry. If he could, he would have taken her right then and there, but there were too many people in the house. He would have to wait, but not for too much longer. Soon, she would be his.