Chapter 1

Three years later, Lakeside Alberta…
Her brown eyes searched the crowd in the store. She worked in a store filled with clothes that cost at the least $300 dollars. It was usually filled with snobby people who for some reason felt they stood above others because their grandpa’s struck gold in the 1930’s, or their fathers built a company from the ground up and they were reaping the benefits…not that she should say that…she was doing the same thing. Her father was a very rich farmer who had built his cattle and horses from two each, and a small cottage. The difference was, she wasn’t snobby, she didn’t act like she had millions of dollars to her name, and she didn’t act like didn’t have to work…that’s why she was there, analyzing why people around here were so snobby though, it’s not like Lakeside was some big landmark, unless you wanna call it on the North West section of town, it was said to be haunted by the ghosts of a masaccer that had happened there about 100 years ago. “Excuse me!” she heard a cold voice say. She looked up to see a young, beautiful woman standing there. “Hello Heather” she said “How are you today?”
“Don’t try my patience Tara” she said “Just do your job.”
Tara smiled sincerely and checked the clothes Heather was buying and began to fold them. “Don’t wrinkle them!” Heather snapped “These are worth more than you.”
Tara almost laughed, most would be offended but she just laughed, a pity laugh. She felt pity for Heather, Heather would never know the true meaning of love, and that was a pitiful cause. When she was finished folding the clothes she put them in a bag and handed them to Heather, Heather handed over a gold card and waited for Tara to swipe it before snatching it back, she gave a mean look before walking out. Tara giggled and shook her head, sometimes people were a little too spoiled. She looked to the clock, 4:00 PM it read, she sighed and then prepared to leave.
Soon, her best friend Janet Knowlton walked in, her blonde hair went in every direction from the wind that had picked up, she rushed in and shook her head. Tara gave a knowing look, Janet looked a lot like the actress Ashley Judd, and she could defiantly make it as a actress, or model, somewhere along those lines. She walked up to the counter and looked straight at Tara “Where’s my money?” she asked.
Tara gave her a lazy look “You really should be a pimp, I can see it now. Back handing your men when they don’t make the $1000 dollars an hour you wanted.” Janet rolled her eyes “Shut up and let’s go.”
She then walked out, Tara had to laugh lightly and follow her. The two walked out and got into Janet’s car then started to the Foothills were Tara lived.
Janet turned on the radio and silently listened “Today marks the third year since Backstreet Boy Nick Carter disappeared from his rented condo in Calgary Alberta. It is very sad day in the pop world, the search for Carter has been called off and the hopes of police officers and his bandmates have dwindled. The remaining Backstreet Boys released this statement earlier today:” They then heard Kevin’s voice “It is very hard for us to say good-bye to our very close friend, he was one of the greatest talents and singers in this world since his…death. We will miss him greatly and am sure our fans will think of him as much as we have…and will. We also regret to announce the disbanding of the Backstreet Boys…”
Janet scowled and shut off the radio “AS if!” she cried “How could they!” “Well they always said ‘all or nothing’” Tara said.
Janet shook her head “This is shit!” she said obviously distraught “It’s all his fault.”
“Don’t tell me that you’re still sore over that meeting?” Tara said “Maybe he was just grouchy that day, I mean it’s not like they have to be rainbows and sunshine all the time.”
“This was not grouchy” Janet replied “I know grouchy. And this was straight up arrogant, he was so full of himself I’m amazed he didn’t announce he was marrying a teenybopper who screamed to the world that he was the most amazing thing to ever grace this earth ugh!”
Tara had to smile at her friend. “Oh yeah” she said “I get it now.” “Get what?” Janet asked.
Tara smirked “How dare a man reject Janet Knowlton! Who could have the audacity to wave you off? I’m just disgusted at the idea that he would be able to be unattracted to you.”
“While funny, your sarcasm is not needed” Janet said “I’m serious here, the man was inconceivable. You’ve heard of Leonardo Di Caprio’s attitude right? Well Leo has nothing on little Nicky.”
Tara laughed, “Well, you know that people like that always get what’s coming to them.”
They pulled into Tara’s driveway “I think he already did.”
Tara nodded before getting off “See-you later” she said.
“Yeah” Janet said “I’m just glad your getting your car out tomorrow, I’m tired of driving into the middle of a forest to drop you off.”
Tara laughed and shook her head “You whine too much” she said before closing the door.”
Janet waved as she pulled out and headed back to town.

Tara turned around and her smile immediately dropped, there stood John Kastelic, the cutest boy in town. John was supposed to have everything, looks, charm, strength, humor, talent, unfortunately he lacked the personality needed to complete the package. He was arrogant, and conceited, and gave Tara the chills. He worked for her father since the beginning of the summer, which she hated but it was hard to get help so she didn’t complain. But she hated the way her sisters would fall all over him.
He stood there at 5’11, with raven black hair, light tan, green eyes, strong jaw, perfect nose and his lips curled into an arrogant smile looking her over. She wasn’t stupid, she knew the only reason he wanted her was because no one else had her, she was a very picky woman and was probably the hardest girl to get in Lakeside. She rolled her eyes and walked up the stairs and passed him, she then walked in and tried not to cry out in disgust, “Mom?” she called.
She was met by silence and new she alone, she walked over to the fridge and opened it, grabbed a Sprite, then closed it and saw the note ‘Tara, we’re going into town, we should be back by 6 PM tonight, Mom.’ She sighed, and looked to the clock 4:30 it read. She sighed and walked to her room, alone for two more hours before her parents came back. She then heard the door open and John let himself in. She practically ran to her room, and locked the door. She then went to her video collection deciding to watch a movie since she didn’t have anything else to do. She looked over all of them before deciding on either Sleeping Beauty, or Beauty & The Beast. She thought about both of them. She loved Sleeping Beauty because of the romantic view, the thought that a woman and a man could be brought together by a simple kiss was…corny…but also very romantic. She loved Beauty & The Beast simply because of the message, that true beauty is on the inside, not what another sees. She sighed and put the video down, deciding to go riding instead. But she didn’t want to walk out the front because she knew without a doubt, John would be right there, so she decided to climb out her window. She reached under her bed to grab a fire ladder and swung it over her window. She quickly climbed down and ran to the corral. Her horse Raven saw her and ran toward her, she smiled, her and Raven had always had some strange connection that she loved, Raven ran up and she started to saddle him up.
Once finished she put a brush away quickly when she was grabbed from behind. “Hey baby” she heard him say “I’ve been waiting so long to get you alone “ she felt his hand start to rub her torso “I think I’ve waited long enough.”
She then felt his hand reach down and start rubbing her butt “Stop” she pleaded “Please”
“I love it when they beg” he said before starting to reach up to her breasts.
She wasn’t going to be taken advantage so easily. She stomped on his foot and elbowed him in the stomach then grabbing a near by brush and knocking him over the head, he fell to the ground groaning and she immediately ran out to the door and toward Raven, she turned and saw John getting up then panicked, she jumped on Raven and yelled “Go!”
Raven immediately ran out of the coral sensing that Tara was in danger, he leaped over the gate and ran across the pasture before leaping that fence and ran into the forest, not stopping for anything. Tara wouldn’t look back or allow herself to calm down, she just kept replaying the scene over in her head. She didn’t know where she was going, but she knew she had to get as far away from John as possible.
The two rode far into the forest not stopping until Raven couldn’t take much more of it and slowed to a trot, then a walk. She patted him “Good boy” she said “You did good boy.”
The two entered a clearing with a stream flowing down it, she smiled and pointed Raven toward it and allowed him to take a drink while she steadied herself as well. The two were there for about ten minutes before thunder started to roll above them and dark clouds covered the son. She looked up “This is just what I need now” she said aloud.
She stood up and got back on Raven, before turning him to a thick part of the bush knowing it would be hard for the rain to get to them there, she rode into the forest when the thick drops of water started pouring down. What am I going to do now? she asked herself I cant go home… Raven decided for her and walked further into the forest, she looked around, the vegetation seemed to be dead, and the trees made cruel and unwelcome faces at her. She looked around feeling more and more uncomfortable. “We’d better go back” she said. She turned Raven and saw that the road they’d taken there…was gone…My god she thought What am I going to do? What am I going to do?

Orlando… Brian slammed the phone down “Damnit!” he yelled “Can’t I get a bit of help?”
“Is that a question for me? Or are you going to answer yourself again?”
He spun around to face Alyssa, Alex’s girlfriend. He sighed and sat down “It’s a question for anyone who will answer” he replied.
She sighed before sitting beside him “Brian” she said “We all miss Nick terribly. And if anything the guys haven’t given up on believing that he’s still somewhere out there. But…it’s been three years. It’s hard to hold on…”
“I know” Brian said “But…I get this feeling…this terrible feeling that he’s still alive…and that he’s lonely…that he needs me…it’s pathetic…I know. And I have to learn to let him go.”
“That may be” Alyssa told him “But maybe not just yet.”
He turned to her “What?”
“Brian if you truly believe with all your heart, no doubt in your mind that Nick’s alive…then maybe he still is. I mean, they never found a body, not even one clue that he was alive.”
“But the house burned down” Brian said.
She thought “Remember that gold chain he had? Wouldn’t they find something like that? I mean, they found traces of his CD’s and tapes, and clothes. But they never found anything like the jewelry he was wearing that night.”
A new spark of hope twinkled in his eyes. “Yeah” he said “You’re right! They didn’t. He could still be alive!”
Alyssa laughed “See, that’s the Brian we all love.”
He turned and wrapped his arms around Alyssa “Thank you Lyssa” he said “I needed that…I almost gave up.”
She tightened her arms around him “Never give up on what you believe Brian…no matter how crazy it sounds.”
He chuckled against her.
“Get your hands off my woman.”
The two jumped to see AJ standing there with a grin on his face. Brian then grinned evilly before puffing up his chest and holding his arms out as if he were a body builder. “I can’t help it man” he said holding up his hands, “she came onto me.”
Alyssa’s smile was as evil as Brian’s “Yeah…I’m sorry Alex, but I’ve seen the light” she told him “and Brian’s a blinding one. Here’s your ring back…he’s promised me a real rock.”
AJ walked up and took her arm before pulling her back and puffing his chest up to Brian’s “You took my woman!” he said in fake anger “prepare to die!” “It’s not my fault she wants my bod!” Brian told him.
Alyssa looked to both of them then began to laugh, Kevin walked in “Hey” he said “What you doing?”
“Oh AJ’s mad because I’m leaving him for Brian” Alyssa said.
Kevin looked to AJ and Brian who were chest to chest breathing in each other’s face and laughed “Okay Tarzan and Jane” he said “Are you coming out for barbeque or what?”
The two didn’t move “Fine” he said “But I’ll have to warn you, if your not out there in five minutes Shannon’s coming in here to get you herself.”
The two immediately jumped back “We’ll be out in a minute” AJ said grabbing Alyssa “What about you Rok….”
He looked to Brian to see he was already outside.
Kevin laughed. Shannon was his girlfriend, and for some reason she had most of them whipped, she had kind of a controlling nature, but not one that would annoy someone. She was a business woman who liked to know what was going on around her at all times, it was one of the reasons he loved her so much. He watched Alyssa and Alex go up the stairs and grinned, Alyssa was not exactly a completely different story, but she was very different from Shannon. Alyssa loved to live life, she did everything spontaneously and hated planning. She was also very generous and unusually wise for a simple 23 year old. She always had a good answer for a problem any of them had and leant an ear and advise for anyone who wanted or needed it. He liked her, she was AJ’s conscience and kept him in line when he needed it…and boy did he ever, especially when Nick’s apartment burned down and they all thought he was dead. AJ was devastated and almost…just almost gave in to the demons that conquered him before, she stopped him and instead of looking to a bottle for comfort, he turned to Alyssa. Kevin loved her more and more for it. She made him happy. So many had tried to use him, use him for his status, or his money, even for his looks. But Alyssa seemed to look beyond all that, even when he was at his lowest…she still loved him.

“So what were you and Brian talking about?” AJ asked.
She shook her head “He just needed a bit of advise…about Nick.”
A sadness suddenly appeared in AJ’s eyes “Yeah” he said “it’s been hard for all of us to let go…”
“It would be hard to let a brother go” Alyssa said “I know Nick was only 20…he had his whole life in front of him…”
“I had a dream about him last night” AJ told her.
She looked at him intently “What was it?”
He looked up at her with a surprised expression, then told her “All of us guys are standing in this room, and we’re surrounded by fans and media. There’s the four of us together, then Nick walks up, but he doesn’t look at us, and I can’t see his face. I look over and I start saying ‘You have to show them’ but he doesn’t want to. I keep telling him over and over, then he looks up and everyone screams, they all begin to run out and there’s this big frenzy, I hear this little girl start to scream ‘Monster!’. I look at Nick and I still can’t see his face but I can see his eyes…and they have so much…pain…and regret…so much hurt. They’re hurting so much and I just want to comfort him, but the bodyguards grab us and try to pull us away and I’m fighting to get to him, I then realize that no one else is in the room, it’s just us guys and Nick, but something or someone is pulling us from him. They won’t let us to him and he just starts fading away, I start screaming for him, then he turns and…and I see his face…his face…”
“What is it?” Alyssa asked.
“It’s…it’s burned…it’s horribly scared…it’s like his skin was completely melted, he’s ashamed of himself…I could feel he was. Then suddenly these flames light up around him and he starts screaming. I fight as hard as I can to get to him, to help him…but the flames take him over…then…then I wake up…” He didn’t look up at Alyssa, afraid she would look at him like he’s crazy. She didn’t say anything for awhile so he looked to her, she wasn’t looking at him, but he could tell she was in deep thought. “What do you think?” he asked. “Well…it looks like Nick has something to hide, something about his identity. His face being scared and burned seems like he’s lost himself, his identity. The fire is your fear for him, his house burned down and it’s the one thing separating you from him, as long as those flames are there you’re going to be pulled from him as hard as you fight, you won’t be able to get to him as long as you let the flames in your way.”
AJ looked to be thinking it over “But that’s just my assessment” she said “After so many years of dream reading.”
AJ smiled at her “I thought for a second you’d think I was crazy.”
“Well I do” she replied “But that’s what I love about you.”
AJ laughed and pulled her closer, then kissed her.

His eyes searched around the bush and saw no trace of her…not even hoof prints. He sighed “You think you got away” he said “You’ve done far from that.”
He then turned around to go back to the house.
“Tara!” Jack called as he walked into the house “Tara! You here?”
He looked around for his daughter and saw and heard no one. His wife walked in behind him “Where is she?” Lucy asked as she walked in.
He shook his head “I don’t know” he said.
Suddenly he heard the door open and close “Tara?” he asked.
John walked up the stairs “Hey” he said.
“Where’s Tara?” Jack asked.
“She went riding” John told him “I just saw her take off.”
Jack looked at him suspiciously, he didn’t really trust John around his daughter, sometimes he looked like he wanted to eat her alive. It made his a little angry to see someone look at her like that.
“Oh” Lucy said “Well I hope she comes home soon, it looks like it’s really raining up on this hill.”
“Yeah” John said “Wouldn’t want anything to happen to her.”

Chapter 2

Devi