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February 2017 presented an unseasonably warm winter for the residents of Delphire, a small Midwestern city in the American state of Indiana.

The season was typically marked with freezing cold weather, with the snowy period beginning in early January that could last for several months.

Local schools were required to schedule a set amount of days off in anticipation of the snowfall, but the uncharacteristically high temperatures in Delphire that year meant the predetermined snow days had gone unused.

As it was compulsory for administrators to close schools down for the accumulated time off regardless of the weather, Delphire students gained an extra long weekend to that month, beginning on Thursday February 9, which classes set to resume on Tuesday the 14th.

On the second last day of the short winter break, 13-year-old Abigail Williams packed her belongings in preparation for a sleepover at the home of her best friend, 14-year-old Liberty German.

The two girls had established a close friendship from a young age and now attended eighth grade together at Delphire Community Middle School.

With a bond described as stronger than most, the pair were inseparable. They played alto sacks together in the school band, competed on the same volleyball team, and Liberty had recently convinced Abigail to join her on their school's softball team.

They both had a love for the outdoors and shared many other interests too, including camping, fishing, riding all-terrain vehicles, and hiking.

Despite their numerous similarities and mutual hobbies, the girls had their own unique qualities.

Abigail, known by friends as Abby, was the quieter of the two, but was still very sociable. An avid reader with a creative flair, her mother, Anna, remarked that Abigail had more craft than she knew what to do with, and there wasn't a form of art that she hadn't tried.

She spent most of her time making an assortment of creations, including rubber-bearing bracelets and beaded jewelry, which she often gifted to her friends.

She had also recently begun knitting tiny colorful hats for newborn babies at the local hospital.

Liberty, better known as Libby, was the more outgoing of the pair, with a reputation for being a Joker.

The honor-roll student dreamed of becoming a science teacher, and had already laid the foundation to achieve her goal by attending several classes at a local university.

An enthusiastic athlete, Liberty also participated in many sports, including volleyball, soccer, swimming, and softball.

Liberty lived at the home of her grandparents, Mike and Becky Paddy, along with her older sister, 17-year-old Kelsey, and their father, Derek.

She often baked batches of cookies for her family, ensuring there were always some left over for her grandfather when he returned home from work.

On Sunday, February 12, Abigail and Liberty spent the afternoon in the Paddy's backyard, practicing their swing in preparation for the upcoming softball season.

That night, the pair emptied Abigail's craft box onto Liberty's bedroom floor and stayed up late painting pictures.

When they woke up the following morning of Monday, February 13, Liberty's father, Derek, made the girls a pancake breakfast.

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