PROLOGUE

DEDICATED TO
JONATHAN HOLDER

"We should forgive our enemies, but not before they are hanged."
—Heinrich Heine

PROLOGUE
Kangee, Iowa

In her teenage years, Ms. Charlotte Hyatt had her share of terrible jobs. She entered the work force at sixteen by becoming a cashier at Grocery King. It was nice to have money of her own, but she had to deal with rude customers, grouchy coworkers -one being a raging alcoholic- and a boss who's wandering eyes, and sometimes hands, unnerved her to no end. Through it all she had gritted her teeth, worked hard and had saved enough money for college.

Within a year after graduating from Iowa State University, Charlotte finally had a job that she loved and could be proud of. In August she started teaching Special Education classes at East Kangee Middle School. Being raised with an autistic brother, she had no trouble getting into the swing of things and the kids absolutely loved her. Everything she'd worked for had, at long last, paid off and going to work was a joy.

On Wednesday, September 28, 1988, things began to change.

The final bell of the day had sounded off and, in a flash, the hallways were filled with general chaos as classrooms emptied like a noisy flood.

Jerry, a young boy in a wheelchair, had been in the middle of telling Charlotte a story about a fishing trip when the bell rang. Curious to see how the battle with the fish ended, Charlotte offered to roll Jerry out to the bus.

"Daddy pulled the fish out the water and it was floppin' 'round. The hook slipped out an' daddy fell in the water tryin' to catch it," laughed Jerry.

"Aww, man! It got away?" asked Charlotte.  "But at least yours didn't escape, did they?"

"Nope," said Jerry with immense pride. "I gots three an' daddy gots just one."

"Sounds like you're a better fisherman. Maybe you can teach your dad some of your secrets."

Jerry's laughter was infectious. Seeing his face light up and hearing him burst out in giggles was enough to make Charlotte, and anyone nearby, smile. She wiped a tear from her eye and helped him up the bus ramp.

"Okie doke, buddy. I'll see you tomorrow and maybe I'll bring some pictures of some of my fishing trips."

"You like fishin'?"

"Are you kidding? One time I caught a catfish that was so big the picture weighed ten pounds!"

Jerry howled with laughter. "Naw! You're foolin' me!"

Charlotte gave a sly smile. "Maybe. Maybe not. You'll just have to wait and see."

Once Jerry was situated, Charlotte scanned the passengers, making sure everyone from her class was on board.

"Are we good to go?" asked Mrs. Hayes, the bus driver.

"Hold on," said Charlotte. "I think we're one short."

Charlotte quickly went over a mental checklist. Nobody had been absent in class, so there should be seventeen students on the bus. One of the girls was gone. "Has anybody seen Tammy Laymon?"

"I think I saw her talkin' to Gale Birch," said one of the boys.

"Oh, shit," she said under her breath. "Where?"

"Goin' that way," said the boy, pointing toward the treeline by the football field.

"I'll be right back," she said to Mrs. Hayes and took off running.

Gail Birch and her friends were nothing more than a collection of spoiled brats and bullies. They were frequently taken to the principal's office for terrorizing other kids. The Special Ed. students were their favorite targets. If any of them were bothering Tammy, Charlotte would do everything within her power to make sure they were suspended. Enough was enough!

As Charlotte reached the football field, she could make out several figures moving around in the woods. She pumped her legs harder, hoping that she could make it in time to save Tammy from whatever they had in store. There was a sudden, single, scream that ripped through the air and shot into Charlotte's heart like an icy dagger.

No! Those little shits have had it this time!

She reached the treeline and raced into the woods, ignoring the thorny underbrush that ripped into the skin of her arms.

Finally, the group was in sight. Charlotte's blood was boiling in her veins by the time she reached them and saw Tammy lying on the ground. Charlotte opened her mouth to speak and then... she froze. Her words were lost, taken away by total shock. What she saw was unspeakable. "Dear God," was all she could say.