There was an absence to the little wooden cottage that sat tucked deep in the woods. A subtle loneliness that found its way into the foundation and spreading through the walls. Even the creatures of the night dared not step too close.

It was time. Gently, Odella lowered her lover into the pool of murky water, a sharp anxiety beginning to rise with every bubble escaping Eloise's mouth. What if this was wrong. What if she died? Odella lost her grasp as an overwhelming dread rushed through her. Had she killed her lover? There was silence. A single red tear fell from her cheek. What had she done? Suddenly a blackened hand reached out and gripped Odella's throat, forcing her into the murky depths below. Before she could even process what had happened, Odella found a pair of soft lips touching her own.

The young man was a simple sort, a farmer or trader. Someone completely unremarkable. And yet when he was found torn from the inside out he became the most important person in the village, at least until the next body arrived down stream.