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After her shower Madeline walked out to grab the mail, anticipating what new bills she'd be responsible for now that she was living in a house. She was expecting the bills to be huge compared to her measly phone and cable bill in her cramped studio apartment back in Westport.
Madeline was relieved to see nothing but junk mail, laughing to herself at it being the first time she was ever happy to have only junk mail arrive.
Something caught her eye however..
A very small white envelope with no return address.
Madeline brought the mail inside and placed it on the coffee table.
Hesitant to open the letter.. she thought
"no return address huh?"She shrugged it off and headed to the kitchen to make breakfast..
As she baked her croissants she kept repeating the letters "A-R-A-C" to herself, turning them into anagrams, thinking maybe the killers were being creative.. No matter how many times she rearranged the letters, she couldnt figure it out.. What was the message the killers were trying to convey? And why was she so interested in this story?
Madeline was clueless as she gulped down her food. She looked up from her empty plate to see the plain white envelope waiting for her on the coffee table .. she put her plate in the dishwasher and grabbed it opening it slowly and methodically.. she unfolded the letter and abruptly dropped it to the floor..
You have 1 new message
"Oh my God.. this cant be.." She whispered in disbelief
"It couldnt be Spider.. he cant know my address..." she kept whispering as she logged on to her laptop.
Madeline was shaking as she opened her messenger finding a message waiting for her..
Good morning sunshine...
Madeline grew furious as the following dialogue appeared across the screen:
Madeline: WHO ARE YOU!
Spider: *smiles*
Madeline: This is NOT funny, how do you know I moved? How did you get my address??
Spider: I am just a friendly neighbor Madeline and I wanted to welcome you to your new home. I was too nervous to simply stop by as the others did.
Madeline: How did you know about that? WHO ARE YOU!
Madeline was terrified, but growing more and more angry as the conversation ensued
Spider: You know me very well Madeline.
Madeline: If I did would I be asking? Listen, this is harrassment, I could call the cops
Spider: But you wont will you Madeline?
Madeline: I will!
Spider: Do not be afraid my dear, I wish not to harm you, only welcome you.
Madeline: I just want to know who you are, you're scaring me..
Spider has signed out.
Madeline was petrified and confused.. lost in her thoughts, lost in "Spider", afraid for her safety..
Just then the doorbell rang, she knew it was George, maybe he could help her make some sense of it all..
She walked to the door peering out of the window just to be sure its him, he waved to her as she opened the door.
"Hey Madeline, I know I was gonna call first my cell is dead, gotta charge it" "Dont worry about that, come in" Madeline let him in noticing him staring at her..
"Are you okay? You're so pale.. whats wrong"
"Just a crazy email... I keep getting messages from some "Spider" guy" The smile immediately left George's face as he stammered over his words..
"Probably s..s..spa.. spam.. probably just spam Madeline, crazy people all over the net.. Um.. I brought wine? Want a glass?" Madeline was hoping he would be more supportive than that not noticing the abrupt change in his demeanor. She was sure it wasnt spam, but now she was hesitant to tell him more. She didnt want him to think she was crazy. She headed to the kitchen for wine glasses and responded
"
Well I know its not spam.. the guy is just.. just .. he knows a lot George"... "You know Madeline I have a crazy internet story.." Madeline brought the wine glasses over to where George was sitting on the carpet and listened..
"I met this girl right.. I forget the screen name she used.. It was in some random chat room.. she had some picture up of this beautiful girl.. so yeah, I guess she peaked my interest.. but she kept pressing me for my phone number right?" "yeah.." "Well I gave it to her.. and she called.. but I kid you not Madeline, when she called she sounded like my GRANDMOTHER"
"OH MY GOD you're kidding!!" Madeline and George laughed together as any thought of spider quickly left her mind..
"yeah, oh it was crazy, and she KEPT calling too, I had to get my number changed, Ross made fun of me forever.." The two continued to laugh as they sipped wine and talked of all the craziness to be found on the internet. About an hour passed before they even realized it.
"Oh man, hey Madeline I have to run but ... the reason I came over... I need to tell you something very important.." "Yeah what is it?" Madeline grew incredibly nervous..
"I was driving past your place last night after the club and saw a guy... I see him around here all the time, we all do.. but.. he was just standing there.. by your window. I dont know what he was doing.. he was just standing there" "Oh my God George!" "Listen Madeline, dont be scared, I flashed my lights at him and he took off ... he's just some guy we always see.. wanted to give you a heads up. Just throw something at him and he'll leave, trust me" "Well who the hell is he?" "I think he's homeless.. its really not serious, I just wanted to let you know.." "Well thank you, but im still worried.." "Gotta run, listen we dont live too far apart, if you see the guy just call me, i'll run him down with my truck." George gave Maddie a sly wink and a pat on the shoulder as he waved goodbye..
She figured if she had just told him the whole story about Spider, then maybe he would have taken it more seriously.. She was a nervous wreck as she locked the door behind George and watched him drive off in his beat up pick up truck...
She walked into the living room thinking to herself..
"What if its Spider...."
There had to be a way to find out...
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