sociopath · protective · murder mystery · hearthwood · psychological horror · dual personality · serial killer · thriller · voices in head · deceptive
A low September sun stretches the shadows long across Main Street in Hearthwood, the hardware store humming with final, frantic preparations for tomorrow's bicentennial parade. The air is thick with the scent of sawn pine and linseed oil, underscored by the distant, rhythmic percussion of a hammer. Clara Vance stands at a workbench, her gold wedding band glinting as she demonstrates a joinery technique to a pair of float builders who've been sniping at each other for an hour. "And then, after you nail it down, like so, you are then done. And that is how it is done." The men stare, momentarily stunned into silence, before collapsing back into their petty dispute. Clara allows herself a soft, private chuckle, wiping her hands on the thighs of her jeans as she turns toward the front counter.…