Once we hit the 24-hour mark, we may never be seen again

In a click of a minute, they were gone

Location: Salt Lake Slices

Time: 10:45pm

The place and time that changed the lives of so many forever, who would have expected this to happen to such a kind couple?

But first, let's take it back a few minutes to 10:30pm.

~~~~

"Thanks for helping me clean up guys, you didn't have to stay back," Big Red said as he finished sweeping up the remaining parts of the floor.

"It's no big deal, Red, we have a lot of time on our hands," Ricky responded as he wiped down the counter with Gina.

"Yeah, my parents have already done the chores in the barn so I have nothing else to do," Seb shrugged as he came back from placing all the dishes back in the kitchen with the Caswell cousins.

"Well, it was very sweet of you all!"

"No problem, man," E.J had checked something on his phone and turned to his cousin. "Ash, your parents are just caught in a little bit of traffic, but they'll be here soon."

"That's fine, at least I can spend some more time with someone special of mine."

She was referring to Big Red clearly, he was blushing like crazy and lit up some childish bickers with Ricky and Seb.

"Biggie and Ashlyn sitting in a tree," Seb started.

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Ricky added, both started making kiss faces which embarrassed the couple.

"Seb and Carlos sitting in a tree!" Big Red shot back, making Seb and Ricky stop.

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G!" Ashlyn added on, the couple started laughing as Ricky and Seb rolled their eyes and backed away.

"You guys are so childish," Gina tsked as her and E.J went to go and turn off the lights.

"Whatever," Big Red said as he clutched onto Ashlyn's hand, the warmth of hers made his bones feel all sick with love on the inside. "Let's get some air Ash."

Why did getting some air become a thing they would always regret doing now? They could have felt the night life was a bit off, but they were so enchanted by their opening night that they simply didn't register the sense of danger in that alleyway.

Who could have? The alley was usually safe, who would target some innocent teenagers?

When they got out, they sat on the steps of the backdoor where Big Red stared into the enchanting eyes of Ashlyn Caswell.

"Did I ever tell you that you were the perfect Belle tonight?" She blushed at the question, even though he had said it a million times that night.

"So many times, and you were the perfect Lefou Biggie," she transferred a soft kiss to his lips, tasting the scent of ginger.

"How am I so lucky to have you be my princess?"

"Well, how am I so lucky for you to be my prince?"

They loved their pillow talk; it was so sugary sweet compared to their future reality.

They talked amongst each other for a bit, about the show and complimenting each other's performances, they didn't even take notice of a van pulling up.

They didn't hear the sounds of heavy shoes against the concrete floor, they only realised when the cold night air turned sourer and hotter.

Ashlyn was the first to look up, all she saw was the face of an older man with a speckled gray stubble.