"Heaven sent you to me," whispered Alina, though she knew her words had fallen upon unhearing ears. Leaning close to Alexander, she intertwined her fingers in his and laid her head against his chest, not caring that his blood still seeped. Her fingers squeezed Alexander's over and over again, and she wept against him, knowing that the most beautiful being on earth had just left to watch over her from Heaven.

Presently, Alina became aware of something scratching against her cheek. She sat up and found that there was a note tucked into Alexander's jacket. Tears having been entirely spent, Alina opened the note with trembling hands.

It was the list of fifteen names that Alina had given to Alexander on that fateful night. But underneath the listed names was Alexander's distinctive handwriting. Alina stifled a sob when she read what he'd scrawled beneath: Her fingers touched this. He'd been keeping the note because it had been from Alina, however paltry the token was. 

Alina placed the note back in Alexander's jacket.

She lowered her head and wept.

~~~

The nightly wind began to blow, and the stars saw no sadder sight that evening than a young woman weeping over the love of her life.

As the stars shone down upon the small town, they beheld a love more heartfelt and untarnished than any other love between a man and a woman. 

They saw no woman more sorrowful and yet at peace than the young woman who held her lifeless lover in her arms.

And they saw no villain more beautiful and pure than the one who lay at peace, the rising and falling of his chest having ceased, his lips graced with a smile that only the love of his life could have caused.

He really must have loved her.

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Author guidance for This story

*Dedicated to LouisaJo*

Much crime is afoot in Summeridge, a small, close-knit town in 1850-something. But this is crime that you've never heard of...until now. "Deathly Secrets" is overall a story of triumph, tragedy, romance, and redemption.

NOTE:
Because it's been called to my attention that the tense changes are a bit confusing, I'll warn you now that the tense changes from past tense to present tense when the villain is the focus. Call me crazy, but I consider it a bit of dramatic flair. ;D

ALINA BRYANT
Age: 24
Appearance: Light brown hair, inquisitive grey eyes, short-ish, slender, a slight smattering of freckles across her nose
Personality: Quiet, innocent, conpassionate, unassuming, gentle, with a streak of courage
Other facts: Moved to Summeridge to escape an abusive family; owns a tailor shoppe; Christian; tries to see the good in others

VILLAIN (to be identified later in the story):
Age: mid- to late-twenties
Appearance: Dark brown hair, stormy grey-green eyes, very tall, lean, has a cocky yet somehow dissatisfied air about him
Personality: Supposedly ruthless and heartless, but he is actually vulnerable, ashamed, and desperate to feel fulfilled and respected
Other facts: Hides a very troubled past; tormented by his own guilt

CONNER O'BREEN (minor character):
Age: 30
Appearance: Dark blonde hair, dark brown eyes that never look anyone else in the eyes, medium height (for a man), strong features
Personality: Outspoken and boisterous around friends and customers of his tavern, but extremely and almost painfully shy around women; a kind heart with walls built around it so as to keep from being hurt
Other facts: Owner of the O'Breen Saloon; parents died of a fever when he was 23

updated Jan 25 by cassandramorrow