Chapter 1

Sarah Miller pulled her car to the curb in front of the community center, the engine idling softly.

"Ready for Kids' Kraft Korner, sweetie?" she asked, turning to the backseat.

Lily, her six-year-old daughter, beamed, her bright eyes full of excitement.

"Yes, Mommy! We're making glitter castles today!"

Sarah smiled, a genuine, warm smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes. She unbuckled Lily and helped her out of the car. They walked hand-in-hand towards the entrance.

Inside, the familiar scent of glue and construction paper filled the air. Jessica Evans, the program director, greeted them with a wide, practiced smile.

"Sarah! Lily! So good to see you both."

Jessica was in her early thirties, charismatic, always dressed impeccably.

"Hi, Ms. Evans," Lily chirped, already eager to join the other children.

"Go on, honey, have fun," Sarah said, giving Lily a quick hug.

Lily skipped off towards the art tables.

Sarah exchanged a few pleasantries with Jessica, then turned to leave. She had errands to run.

She was only a few steps out the door, back towards her car, when a sound ripped through the quiet morning.

A scream.

A bloodcurdling scream.

It was Jessica's voice.

Sarah's heart leaped into her throat. She spun around and raced back inside.

Jessica stood at the entrance of the craft room, her face a mask of horror, pointing.

"She... Sarah... Lily!" Jessica shrieked, her voice cracking.

Sarah pushed past her, her breath catching in her chest.

The scene in the craft room would haunt her nightmares forever.

Lily.

Her bright, beloved Lily, lay on the floor near a supply table.

Her small body was still.

And her head... her head was gone.

Large crafting shears, smeared with crimson, lay discarded nearby.

Sarah didn't scream. She couldn't. A wave of nausea and disbelief washed over her, so powerful it buckled her knees. She stumbled forward, her vision blurring.

"Lily..." The name was a choked whisper.

Sirens wailed in the distance, growing louder.

Police officers burst into the room, their faces grim.

Detective Harding, a seasoned man with tired eyes, took charge. Officer Ramirez, younger, more alert, was by his side.

Jessica, now sobbing hysterically, clung to David Miller, Sarah's husband, who had somehow arrived with incredible speed. His face was a picture of devastation.

"She did it," Jessica gasped, pointing a trembling finger at Sarah. "I saw her. Sarah... she hurt Lily."

Jessica then produced a small data stick.

"The security camera... it caught something. It's not very clear, but..."

Ramirez took the stick and quickly found a laptop.

The low-quality footage flickered on the screen. A grainy figure, roughly Sarah's build and hair color, could be seen in the craft room with Lily. The figure moved erratically, then there was a blur of motion near Lily. The angle was poor, the details obscured, but the implication was horrifying.

Sarah stared, numb. It couldn't be. This was a nightmare.

"Mrs. Miller," Detective Harding said, his voice devoid of emotion. "You're under arrest for the murder of Lily Miller."