"Jack!! Time to go!" Diane O'Reily called to her 7 year old son, looking around for him in the crowd of children. She had taken him to the playground for his birthday before they left for the day, and when she saw the sparkle in his eyes, she immediately felt like she was doing something right, especially after the divorce that had occurred a year ago, leavening a abusive ex-husband behind.

Somethings never seem to go to plan, though...

"Jack? Come on, honey, we're gonna be late!" She called again, that little surge of fear every mother gets when their child doesn't answer. "Jack! Let's go!"
She said, looking around at the crowd of children for her son. Spotting the familiar red hair of the child sitting with his back to her by the slide, she let out a sigh of relief, and walked over to him, squatting beside him. "Come on, kiddo.. it's time to go." She said softly, only to receive no response.

Odd,She thought, growing worried. He was so eager and happy five minutes ago...

Reaching out and grabbing Jacks shoulder slightly, Diane screamed as she saw the ugly looking wound on his neck, showing Jack's vertebrae were twisted under the skin.

No... NO NO! She thought wildly, hugging her dead son to her body. He's just a boy! What did he do to deserve this?!

She clung to the body for three hours until the paramedics arrived. She never left his side until they had to sedate her so they could take the body.

That was the first death... that was three years ago...

This is now...