Beautiful Death (Bella Morté Trilogy Book 1) Read Free

in sight.
    Dani drove around them, carefully weaving in and out, slowing down just enough for a peek. She didn’t see anything. There were too many abandoned vehicles and just like most people who couldn’t turn away from an accident - she had to know what was going on. Did this have anything to do with all the fighting?
    As they passed another abandoned car, Alice turned, looking out the window. “What’s goin’ on?”
    Dani shook her head, slowing down to pass another on the side of the road. “I dunno. It’s like this eerie car cemetery. I don’t like it. First, people are fightin’ everywhere, an’ now the cars are abandoned?”
    “That’s all we need is a damn accident up ahead.”
    “People wouldn’t just leave their cars.” Leaning out the window, she peered out for a better look. “I can’t see shit. These cheap ass streetlights couldn’t attract a light-starved moth.”
    Alice groaned. “I’m not gonna get to see the damn fireworks.”
    Grace shrugged. “What is wrong with you? If we’re not there on time then look up.”
    “It’s not the same as bein’ in a seat watchin’ ‘em.”
    “Yeah, there’s always the sprinkled ash to look forward to.”
    Alice scoffed. “We don’t always get ashes on us.”
    “True. Last year the kid tripped an’ shot it off into the crowd. I don’t think I’ve ever hit the ground so fast.”
    “Oh you’re just-”
    Dani shushed them. “We’re not gonna miss ‘em, but I need to find out what’s goin’ on.” She pulled over to the side, after noticing her best friend’s car in the middle of this.
    Alice looked around. “What’re you doin’?”
    “That’s Becky’s car that she damn near loves more ‘an her kids. She wouldn’t just leave it abandoned in the middle of the street, even if her life depended on it.” Reaching behind her, she grabbed the baseball bat kept in the truck for emergencies. “I’m gonna check this shit out.”
    Grace looked out her window. “Are you sure that’s a good idea?”
    “Yeah, somethin’ ain’t right. Just too many abandoned cars. This ain’t a neighborhood to leave a car unlocked, with keys in it, an’ they’re all still here. Hell, the chop shop would have a field day on this road alone.”
    Alice gripped Dani by the arm. “Yeah, but it’s not a neighborhood where you should be out after dark either.”
    She smirked, gently prying off the death grip. “Ma. I’m an adult with an enormous bat. I don’t think anyone’s gonna start any shit with me unless they wanna lose a couple teeth in the process.”
    “Just be careful.” She pointed to the abandoned vehicles littering the road. “All of them could’ve gotten out for a quick look too.”
    Nodding, she gripped the door handle, before turning to look to the two of them. “Stay in the truck an’ keep quiet. Keep the doors shut an’ the windows up.”
    Alice swallowed hard. “Ya make it sound like you’re never comin’ back.”
    “I’ll be back, but you two stay locked in here until I do.” She held up the bat. “Remember, I’m the one with the big ass bat.”
    Opening the door, she stepped out. The squeak in the silence was deafening. Cringing, she looked around, making sure it didn’t call unwanted attention her way. That reminded her; she really needed to get some WD-40. Closing the door, she pointed for her mother to lock it then quickly darted over to the first empty car.
    “Becky? You out here?” Her whisper cut through the silence. “Becky!”
    It was obvious someone was living in the car. It was dirty. Clothing strewed over the backseat, food wrappers, empty cigarette boxes, empty beer containers and garbage scattered all over the floor. For her to be so in love with this car, she didn’t clean it, or it wasn’t hers. What she saw on the front seat made her swallow hard. Taking a step back, she instantly looked around.
    Blood covered the front like a jagged seat cover as if someone bled out, horribly, probably