The Family Treehouse: Episode 003

By: Stacy Hawks

Dividing Ridge is based on a true story of an unsolved crime that took place along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Alleghany, N.C. in 1937. After a young woman goes missing on her way to school, a community is left on edge. With news spreading quickly of her disappearance and gossip swirling, it is up to local law enforcement to restore a sense of safety and one determined Sheriff to bring justice to her family.

Here’s an excerpt from Chapter 6:

It was cold. So cold she could see her breath form a small cloud between the raindrops as they fell before her. The wet grass and slightly soggy path to the schoolhouse covered her shoes with a mixture of morning dew and mud. The books in her arms became heavy as she continued to walk. Her thoughts turned to her lessons and then to her mother’s voice telling her to be careful. Fog continued to rise and settle along the path as she saw the familiar faces of two Parkway workers waiting for their ride. Slowing her pace just a bit she turned her head to the right, towards the woods, an unfamiliar sound catching her attention. Elva knew the construction crews were out working on the new Parkway Project. Thus she had grown accustomed to hearing them crank their trucks, rustle through the brush and chop trees on her way to and from school. She paused again, feeling as though she were being watched. Upon second glance Elva caught a swift movement out of the corner of her eye. As she was swept away in the morning mist, the fog on the road and her footprints became the only proof that she had ever been there…