I.  —  THANKSGIVING, ONE YEAR AGO: 
"daughter dearest"

During Thanksgiving, people in Plymouth used to celebrate the holiday with great enthusiasm. However, things often got out of hand as everyone tried to get their hands on the perfect turkey and other holiday essentials. The stores were packed with people pushing and shoving, leading to a chaotic and stressful atmosphere. It was a time of pure madness and excitement that the town would experience every year.

The anticipation for this year's Black Friday sale at RightMart was high, with the promise of a free waffle iron for the first 100 customers and a whopping discount of 60% off on all other items. However, despite the excitement surrounding this much-acclaimed holiday, the majority of the townspeople were still obligated to work, with the RightMart employees being no exception, as they had to work tirelessly to make the sale a success.

The Collinses invited their close friends, the Newlons, to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with them. The families had a long-standing bond since the men and women had all attended high school together and had remained close over the years.
Gwen wanted to invite her best friend, Jessica Wright to spend the holiday with them.

However, things changed with the Wrights after Jessica's mother, who was also Thomas's first wife, passed away two years prior. The loss had a profound impact on Jessica, who became increasingly depressed, withdrawn, and on edge about everything. Her behavior had worsened following her father's remarriage to Kathleen, a woman who seemed to be obsessed with money.

Despite these challenges, the Collinses were determined to bring their friends together for the holiday and create new memories. They hoped that the joy and warmth of the occasion would help to uplift Jessica's spirits and bring the families even closer.

It's a rather unfortunate situation that Jessica found herself in. She had deviated from the path of stability in her relationships with family and friends and ended up sleeping with Bobby, the boyfriend of Gwen, her once best friend. It's worth noting that Bobby and Gwen had been in a committed relationship for two years at that point, and everyone who knew them was well aware of it. Despite that, Jessica couldn't resist her attraction to Bobby, and the two of them ended up betraying Gwen's trust and hurting her deeply. Of course, both Jessica and Bobby are equally responsible for what happened, and it's hard to say who is more to blame. Nonetheless, the damage has been done, and it remains to be seen if this incident will have any lasting repercussions on their relationships with each other and with the people they care about.

At a party hosted by their mutual friends, Gabby Allen and Evan Fletcher, both of them had more drinks than they could handle. As the night progressed, they ended up in Evan's bedroom and slept together. Unfortunately, Gwen was the one who discovered them. The awkwardness and guilt were palpable, and the trio struggled to come to terms with the events that transpired.

Immediately after, Gwen felt overwhelmed and decided to leave. She walked out barefoot and in a state of distress, tears streaming down her face. She stumbled upon Ryan Baker, her childhood best friend, on her way back home. Ryan was taken aback by her appearance and could see how much Gwen was struggling. He felt a strong urge to help her, and so he took her back to his house. There, he listened to her as she poured out her heart, offering comfort and support. Ryan made sure that Gwen felt safe and secure, providing her with a sense of stability during a difficult time.

Sheriff Newlon had a soft spot for Ryan and would often go out of his way to help him out of trouble. Despite Ryan's reputation for being a rich kid with a bad temper, Sheriff Newlon would always bail him out of jail if he got into legal trouble.

Ryan was notorious for his quick temper and was always ready to fight anyone who crossed him. He would often use his bare knuckles to settle disputes and would not hesitate to use violence to get his way.

Despite Ryan's difficult personality, he was always eager to make it up to the Newlon family for their kindness. He would take care of their daughter, shower them with expensive gifts, and even pay for the hospital bills of Claire Newlon when she fell ill. Ryan was determined to prove that he was worthy of the Newlon's friendship and loyalty, and he did so by showing them unwavering kindness and generosity.

Ryan had always harbored a secret love for Gwen since childhood. However, he never dared to confess his feelings to her. Meanwhile, Bobby, Ryan's longtime nemesis, had no qualms about expressing his interest in Gwen, which only fueled Ryan's loathing for him. Gwen's father, who was aware of Ryan's affection for his daughter, often offered him private advice. He advised Ryan to be patient and to make sure that he would always treat Gwen with respect, regardless of his financial status.

Ryan had always respected Gwen's father and had patiently waited for several long years to finally get his chance to be with her. Though Gwen would later admit that breaking up with Bobby over a text message wasn't her finest moment, she started going out with Ryan just a month after their breakup.

Claire, Gwen's mother, couldn't be happier that her daughter and Ryan had ended up together. She had always adored Ryan and would often invite him over for dinner, family vacations, and other occasions. The Baker family reciprocated the same warmth and hospitality to Gwen, making her feel like a true part of their family. It was a match made in heaven, and their families couldn't be more thrilled.

Claire, Gwen's mother and Eric's wife, was diagnosed with breast cancer, unfortunately, the disease continued to progress and worsen as time went by. As a result, Eric found himself having to work extra hours at the sheriff's station to make ends meet and pay for the mounting medical bills. Meanwhile, Gwen was forced to leave her job at the Capotain diner to devote her time and attention to being a full-time caregiver for her mother during her last days.

Ryan was a constant source of support for Gwen when she decided to care for her mother. He would often visit the Newlons with home-cooked meals prepared by his mom and would lend a hand in taking care of Claire whenever Gwen needed to take a break. Regardless of what Gwen needed, Ryan was always there to provide his unwavering support, and this never wavered throughout their time together.

At present, Claire lost the battle a week ago after a long fight, and Gwen was heartbroken. Eric buried himself further into his work to avoid reality.
He couldn't face the fact that his wife was no longer here, leaving Gwen to face this all on her own.
This later resulted in Gwen having a hidden resentment towards her father, but she understood that it was his wife, she just wished that they could comfort each other at this time. Knowing that this is when family needs each other most.

As they walked up the path to the Collins' front door, Eric noticed a sour expression on Gwen's face. She seemed to be dreading the entire dinner, hating that she'd never have another dinner with her mother again. Eric sighed, feeling a sense of empathy for his daughter's frustration.

In an attempt to lift her spirits, Eric handed Gwen the freshly baked pumpkin and apple pies and playfully used his fingers to push the corners of her lips up, coaxing a smile from her. He knew that Gwen was upset and might not want to attend this dinner, but he urged her to push through and make the best of it.

"Look, I get it, peanut," he said, his voice soothing. "You're angry and frustrated right now. But we need to get through this dinner tonight, okay? Let's do our best to enjoy ourselves... it's what your mom would've wanted."
Gwen huffed a small 'okay', agreeing with her father.
Just then, the door opened, and Mitch was standing there, a smile on his face.

"Hey, there. Sorry to bother you, folks, but, uh, we're looking for an individual." Eric started, Mitch looked at him confused, yet amused.

"Golden-brown complexion, 15 pounds, No head." he finished, a smirk forming on his face.
"I know where he is. I'll even serve him up on a silver platter for you." Mitch chuckled, pulling him into the house, and guiding Gwen in with a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, kiddo! How have you been?" Amanda asked, pulling Gwen in for a tight hug as Eric took the pies from her.

Gwen and Amanda met after a long time and hugged each other. After releasing the hug, Amanda asked Gwen how she was doing. Gwen hesitated for a moment but then replied that she was fine and inquired about Amanda's well-being. Amanda responded with a chuckle, saying that she couldn't complain.

As the two of them sat in silence, Amanda tried to ease the tension by asking if Gwen was hungry. Gwen nodded and followed Amanda to the dinner table, taking a seat beside her father on a wooden dining chair. The table was set with plates and cutlery, and the aroma of freshly cooked food filled the air. Amanda put a plate down in front of Gwen with small starter foods on it, since the turkey wasn't quite ready yet.

Amanda had spent the afternoon preparing a delicious turkey for dinner. Just as she was about to serve it, Mitch's phone rang. He quickly excused himself from the table and left the room to answer the call, leaving everyone at the table wondering what it was all about.
A few minutes later, Mitch returned to the dinner table, buttoning up his work shirt. Amanda, who had been eagerly awaiting his return, couldn't help but express her frustration. "Thomas isn't making you work, is he?" she said with a sigh. The rest of the table fell silent, waiting to hear Mitch's response.
"Blame bob, Apparently, he's AWOL. Thomas called and said it's me working or I'm fired." Mitch tried to defend himself, his voice full of frustration.
Amanda muttered a soft 'okay' under her breath,
Kissing Mitch before he left.

Gwen let out a deep sigh, her eyes fixed on the table in front of her as she absentmindedly pushed the handle of her fork back and forth. Her thoughts were clouded, and she couldn't shake off the feeling of unease that had taken over her. Sensing her daughter's distress, Eric reached out and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze. The warmth of his touch provided a much-needed comfort to Gwen, and she looked up at him, grateful for his presence and support.

Amanda, Eric, and Gwen all loaded up into Eric's vehicle after deciding to head to RightMart to bring leftovers to Mitch for his dinner.

"Holy shit..." Gwen looked in awe as she looked at the throngs of people gathered in front of RightMart. Her eyes widened in disbelief at the sheer number of people gathered in one place. Eric noticed her reaction and playfully chided her for her language. Gwen snorted in response, still taken aback by the sight before her.

Amanda announced her intention to quickly run in and out of the store, but Eric was quick to object. He refused to let her navigate through the chaotic crowd alone. The parking lot was filled to the brim with cars, and the store was bursting at the seams with shoppers, making it look like a madhouse.

Eric stepped out of the car and walked around to the passenger side, opening the door for Amanda with a gentle smile. "Gwennie, stay put. We'll be back in a minute" he said, reassuring his daughter before closing the door. Gwen nodded absentmindedly, her attention glued to her phone as she scrolled through her social media feed.

However, her boredom was short-lived. Suddenly, there was a loud, unexpected knocking on the window, causing Gwen to jump in her seat with a start. She gasped, clutching her chest as she tried to catch her breath, her heart racing with fear and surprise.

It was Ryan, her boyfriend.

As she screamed, "You scared the hell out of me!", Ryan was in a fit of laughter, bent over and clutching his stomach. "Oh my god, you should have seen the look on your face!", he said in between chuckles. "It was truly priceless, baby!"

Gwen couldn't help but poke her tongue on the inside of her cheek as she groaned and covered her eyes, trying to block out the ridiculousness that was happening. She desperately wanted to escape from the situation and whined, pointing to the door handle, hoping Ryan would take the hint and let her out. However, Ryan seemed to find the whole thing amusing and looked at her with a smirk on his face, making her feel even more trapped and frustrated.

"Why should I let you out?" he taunted, bending down to the car window level, Gwen raised an eyebrow, scoffing. "Maybe because I'm your girlfriend? And I could use a hug right now." a frown started to form on her face.

Ryan stood in front of the door, his eyes fixed on the handle. He muttered under his breath, lost in thought. After a moment, he nodded to himself, took a deep breath, and grabbed the handle. As he turned it slowly, the door made a soft pop sound, the seal releasing. The sound never made her jump before, but tonight was different. She was on edge, her nerves frayed from the chaos of the maniac shoppers. Every sound seemed amplified, and every movement made her jump. As Ryan pushed the door open, she couldn't help but feel a sense of relief that he was there with her.

Gwen stepped outside, feeling the cold breeze hit her face. She stretched her limbs, taking in the fresh air as she stood in front of Ryan. She raised an eyebrow inquisitively, wondering why someone as financially well-off as him would be at a discount supermarket. "So, what brings you here?" she asked, trying to hide her curiosity.

As he wrapped his arms around Gwen, Ryan couldn't help but chuckle. "I just wanted a good show," he said, "It's always amusing to watch their mouths foam like rabid animals." The crowd had been particularly rowdy that night, and Ryan had found their reactions to be quite entertaining. Gwen nestled into his chest, breathing in the scent of the cologne that he had sprayed on himself earlier, feeling content and safe in his embrace.

"Is that Evan?" Ryan asked in a hushed tone, catching Gwen's attention, she turned around, seeing the black Suv pull into the RightMart parking lot. Gwen gave it a moment to see who would hop out of the vehicle. Evan, followed by Gaby, Yulia, Scuba, Jessica, and Bobby.
"Let's go say hi." Ryan's tone grew mischievous as he pulled Gwen towards them, watching as the group blended in with the crowd.

Gwen protested against this, but Ryan continued to lead her further into the crowd of people, keeping an arm secured around her shoulders.
As they reached the front of the barricade, they were practically on top of everybody else.

Ryan cleared his throat, gaining the attention of the entire group. Gabby was the first to turn around, her eyes widening at the unexpected sight of Ryan and Gwen standing there. She swallowed hard, trying to hide her surprise. "Oh, hey guys!" she said, attempting to feign excitement, "what brings you here?" Gabby asked, her voice trembling slightly.

Ryan had a smirk on his face, his eyes darting around before settling back on Gabby. "Oh, we're just hanging out," he said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "I wish I had some popcorn to enjoy this kind of entertainment," he added mockingly, gesturing towards the crowd with a flourish of his hand.

Evan positioned himself firmly behind Gabby, facing Ryan with a stern look on his face. His body language suggested that he was ready to defend his girlfriend at all costs.

Ryan, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by Evan's attempt to intimidate him. He stood his ground, making direct eye contact with Evan and smirking, as if he was enjoying the tension.

After a few moments of silence, Evan spoke up, his voice laced with frustration. "What's so amusing, Baker?"

Ryan's smirk grew wider as he responded, "Because it's entertaining to watch all of these people act insane over discounted products, Fletcher."

Despite Ryan's attempt to rile him up, Evan remained calm and composed. He knew that reacting impulsively wouldn't solve anything. Instead, he simply stared at Ryan, silently daring him to make the next move.

Ryan noticed Jessica and greeted her with a casual "Oh, hey Jess." Jessica finally turned around to see what was happening, and her expression immediately turned to one of shock. Both Bobby and Jessica appeared to be mortified, their faces turning an ashen shade of pale, suggesting that something unexpected and unpleasant had just occurred. Ryan's friendly greeting did little to ease the tension, and the atmosphere quickly became uncomfortable.
Yulia and Scuba stood motionless, their eyes fixed on the chaotic scene in front of them. They appeared to be mere bystanders, completely uninvolved in the situation, but their expressions betrayed a sense of unease and apprehension.

Gwen's stomach churned with an unpleasant sensation, and she found it hard to look up and meet anyone's gaze. The sight of her ex-boyfriend, who was once so devoted to her, with another girl caused a dull pain in her heart.
"Oh, there's your dad." Ryan pointed to Sheriff Newlon through the glass doors, who hadn't taken notice of his daughter in the packed crowd like sardines.

Just as Gwen and Ryan turned back around, they noticed the group had made their way through the thick crowd of people and went in through the side door, courtesy of Jessica, with her father being the owner of the supermarket.

Gwen and Ryan had been standing in line at the crowded store for quite some time. After a while, they stepped off to the side to take a break from the commotion. However, as they moved away from the line, they noticed that the other customers were becoming increasingly agitated. The once-muted murmurs and grumbles slowly escalated into screams and angry outbursts, causing a chaotic scene throughout the parking lot. Gwen and Ryan couldn't help but feel relieved that they had stepped away from the chaos and were now observing from a safe distance.

Amidst the frenzied crowd, Evan's taunts rang out like a shrill siren, as he flaunted the shiny waffle irons in his hands, treating the people around him like caged animals. In no time, the chaos turned into a stampede as people pushed and shoved each other, all for the sake of getting inside. As the frenzied crowd reached the front door, the glass doors started to rattle and shake as people pounded on them, screaming at the top of their lungs, directing their anger toward the managers, employees, and everyone else inside the RightMart store.

In the middle of chaos and confusion, Ryan found himself holding Gwen in his chest. The group they were in had started to rampage, and Gwen was struggling to catch her breath and began to panic. She turned to Ryan and pleaded with him, tugging on the front of his jacket, "Ryan, my dad. We have to get my dad." Her voice was strained, and she looked terrified.
Ryan tried to reason with her, his voice gentle, "Gwen, it's a fucking madhouse out there. I don't want you to get hurt." But Gwen was insistent and reminded him, "Ry, he's all I have left." Tears began to prick her eyes, and she looked up at him with a desperate plea, "Please."

'God, I'm a sucker for you.' Ryan thought as she began to look around the store, hoping to find a way to prevent them from getting harmed.

Just then, the doors shattered.
Glass flew everywhere, and people got injured as they fought to climb over each other and get whatever they could get their hands on.
"No fucking way we're going in there."
Gwen looked at him, tears rolling down her face,
"Ryan, please!" she pleaded.

Ryan was resolute in his decision, his head shaking in a firm "no." Despite Gwen's arguments, he held her close to him, unwilling to let her go. "I promised your mother I would keep you safe," he pleaded, his voice full of conviction. He couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to her. For Ryan, Gwen's safety was his top priority.

Despite Ryan's protesting, Gwen ripped away from him, making a mad dash for the front entrance after the rest of the crowd already run their way through.
"Gwen!" Ryan yelled, following her into the building.

The damage had been done.

Blood decorated the store like a slaughterhouse.

People were screaming in agony with broken bones, sliced skin, or even chunks of hair with the scalp still attached.

People still trampled over each other like wild animals. clawing, kicking, biting, punching, and shoving, all for discounted goods.

Gwen fell to the floor with a hard thud, her body colliding with an arm as a man came barreling down the aisle with a baseball bat in hand.

As the man disappeared from the aisle, loud glass shattering echoed through the store. Glass pellets ricocheted off of the floor, bouncing around until they lost momentum and settled.

Gwen winced in pain, looking around, seeing nobody coming towards her, she took off again in search of her father.

"Gwen!" Ryan shouted from the next aisle over, able to see her through the splits in the shelving, he ran to catch up with her.

Ryan grabbed her shoulder, a concerned look on his face "Are you okay?" he asked, looking her over for injuries. "I-I'm fine," she stated, her voice shaky.
"Who's blood is that?" he asked, lifting her chin gently, examining the large smear of blood from her neck down to the front of her shirt.

"I don't know" Her voice was quiet, eyes widened as her body trembled. The sight was god-awful, like something out of a horror movie.
The carnage was enough to send even the biggest
Gore fanatic running, this was something even Damian Leone couldn't re-create.

A loud gunshot rang through the air, Ryan grabbed Gwen and ducked for The ground, using his body as a human shield to protect her.

Suddenly, it was silent.

No more screaming.
No more fighting.
No more bangs or booms.

Silence.

Ambulances and sheriff cars as far as the eye could see at RightMart, not one ambulance empty nor one sheriff car.

So many people died or were severely injured due
To the chaos that ensued inside the store.

All because of the townspeople.

They'll pay.

Every

Last

One of them.

Death to Plymouth.

And that was the very first page of "my father's rage" !  This book has been four months in the making, so I hope it's good, please give me your honest feedback if you would like to !  I want to become a better writer so please private message me with any criticism you may have <3

—  elliott  !