Murder Resort

Prologue

Dedicated to all of my readers who I'd like to thank for sticking with me and apologise to for not updating in the future.

I

SIX-YEAR-OLD KILLED IN LANDFILL

Benjamin Smith's infant daughter was out Tuesday, on the long summer's evening of June 28th, leaving the car she'd been instructed to stay inside by her father, only to enter the site full of toxic chemicals.

As he shopped, Smith left his young daughter in the car listening to music, only to have her unlock the car, walk 40 meters down the road and wander onto the site of the accident. Supposedly, she slipped past security unnoticed due to her size, but the beliefs of the public and cameras tell a different story. It shows that the booth officers were smoking around the back of the shack which would have been all well and good, had not all the staff been absent allowing the late Jessica to slip by.

It was here that she was drenched by excess waste from the Southway Oil Company, still boiling from the production process. This horrific event resulted in Jessica to suffer massively agonising first-degree-burns, and dying from her injuries, after considerable amounts of her flesh were eaten away.

No-one believes that the fault falls to Jessica but blame is currently placed upon Smith, SOC and the largely popular electric car manufacturer, Power Drive, with which SOC shares the site. This half of the partnership, which is already rumoured to be disbanding, was in charge of security that evening. This break could lose roughly 400 jobs, owing to the size of the site, making it all the more surprising there weren't more guards.

BBC were able to interview the single father briefly, where he said 'It was a stupid mistake; I'd left her as she always makes a scene in the shops. A stupid, selfish mistake.' Smith has since disappeared and is believed to have committed suicide.

II

"It's been 10 years since the tragic deaths of Benjamin, or Benji, and Jessica Smith, and Kaden Jones began his protests," read a news reporter from the teleprompt stationed above the camera she addressed. "Jones, as Smith's closest friend and sole recipient of his will," which had been found in the deceased's home after he'd disappeared, "says he's willing to forgive and forget. Little does he know, behind this wall he is to be one of the six receivers of the prestigious Southway Service Award."

A large projector screen behind the journalist blazed to life, the rainbow's colours decorating a large map of the UK. A blue strip between Scotland's south and England's north contrasted the map's majority's green and the blazing fuchsia backdrop. The narrator's soothing voice outlined the history of the independent state and the award's association with it as well as its origin. Each of the 5 winners was introduced in a similar manner to Jones and their reason for their righteousness explained, Jones's being 'excellent protection for the environment and not backing down when taking action'.

Soon, gathered on the stage area, which Victoria Pines was standing upon, in front of 150 people, were Kaden Jones, the proud activist; his ex-rival Peter Rawlins, CEO of SOC; his employee, Nathan Davis and three of their rivals (in various states of forgiveness) from Power Drive: Claire Brown and Jeanette & Adrian Taylor.

"And, your good citizenship prize is..." Victoria paused, grinning over-zealously at the assembled crowd both that on the stage and that around it, "is a week, free and full board, at the Express island resort off coast." She watched warmly as looks of anticipation melted into relieved smiles, "The trip has been sorted out with all of your families and workplaces and begins in four days, but we can sort out those logistics later. For now," she said gesturing to a door "come through here and you can all get to know each other."

III

"Um, I'm not amazing with names," Jeanette started, "so, could I possibly trouble you to introduce yourselves to me personally?"

She was met with an odious scowl on Peter's behalf. The tall black-haired man, who had grey creeping in around where his sideburns reside, was whole-heartedly against the opposite company, not only for the fact the scandal was placed on them in the end, for not searching the drop zone, but they were being put out of business as electric cars were beginning to dominate the Southway car market. "Peter," bluntly substituted an actual response. He'd been commended for excellent and long-term position as a non-corrupted businessman, where others as high up as him were taking bribes and whatnot to influence their actions.

Nathan's seniors had selected him to come on the trip with his boss, the head honcho, though neither had known of the award. He didn't hold a particular grudge towards the opposing the company as both had offered him jobs and he was a devout believer in being grateful for all he had. He peeked up through blonde hair, being of a shy disposition and muttered his name hastily.

"You already know me," chuckled Claire, "Being of the same company but for the rest of you I'm Claire," she continued, stretching out her plaid shirt and gesturing to her bald head, "you may be able to see I've had chemo, well I'm here for holding various cancer rallies, donating money, but I'm sure you don't want to hear about me."

Brown hair tickled a nose which had been touched-up by a surgeon's knife. Kaden, aged 42 blew the fringe of his long hair away from his baby blue eyes, as he'd become accustomed to doing over the previous decade. "So guys, I'm B-" he coughed, interrupting himself, "I'm Kaden as Vicky said. Environment protection and other things."

"Leaving us, I guess," finished Claire, "We're here because we have done work in improving cities in association with the council but we had no idea about this, different branches you see. Seeing Claire here's quite a jolly coincidence."

The couple have their arms draped over each other's waists. They have matching auburn hair, smirks and blue jumpers and jeans. Nobody is dressed up as most of the six weren't anticipating the occasion, only told to go to the right place by friends. Adrian interrupted the awkward silence plagued my judgemental glares, "Now, we really must dash for the company's annual meeting; would you like a lift Claire? I look forward to seeing you later this week!"