Chapter 1
I hastily twirl my auburn hair into a pony tail and tug on my shorts and slip on my clogs. Running toward the door I grab my keys and visor. I hate to be late. I am always early. It is a trait of mine that I can not seem to ever bend.
I turn onto the gravel road to Jack's Greenhouse. We will be busy today. Spring has arrived. With the many facilities our nursery fills, there would much work to do. I will have little time now for my other job at the library.
I hurry around back and sort my racks to take on my first load to a local home store. I eye the beautiful plants as I shove them in the back of the van. I then toss my gear in the passenger seat and put it in reverse.
I whistle down the road and roll the window down letting the wind sift through my hair. I like my job. I like my life. I get to work usually alone, I get to be outside, I get to get me hands dirty and smell pretty flowers. I turn the radio on and start to bounce my head to a familiar tune as I pull into my destination.
I finish early and find my usual secluded parking spot to eat my lunch and do the daily crossword puzzle. I begin it as I do all the other days, only today I stop holding the pen above the paper. I begin to frown as I read the clues. A odd feeling creeps inside my head as I scroll down. I look side to side in the parking lot with a uneasy feeling like someone is watching me. I can't believe the words in thick black ink. It was as if I had made the puzzle. This was not the first time the words that I had just talked of stared back at me. I solve the puzzle with ease and neatly fold it into my purse. I head back to the nursery for my next load.
"Lillium. Don't forget to water these upon arrival." Jack says as I slam the back door of the van closed. "You got it!" I say and jump back in the van excited for my next destination. I work until sunset and arrange my empty carts back onto the van. I look up to the clouds. Sunsets and sunrises always hold me breathless. I stretch my tired muscles and wiped at my sweaty brow and pull off my visor in deep thought.
I get home around 6 to wagging tails and head bent back in a wolf cry announcing mommy was home. I pet the cats and feed the giddy pack and finally make a quick supper of salad and soup. The animals slowly find their usual perches, beds and begin to relax as I grab my laptop and go online to see if my usual crew was up and lively. I find Garrick was online and quickly send him a hello. He responds back to asking me how r u? I typed back ok usual and then a ... He says what's the ... I type back. Remember the other day when I had written that story on fanfic and asked your opinion. Yeah he types back. Well this sounds odd but today it was like all over this puzzle. Puzzle? He types. Crossword I type back. I do it everyday. It was filled with stuff I had just written. Co-incidence Swan he types back. U r right. I typed back and LOL then I ask him if he had read that book I suggested. Not yet he typed but I will. He then types. I miss you. I smiled and type miss you too. I will be at the library tomorrow and will try to catch u online then. Look forward to it Swan he types. I type a smiley face then a bye. He types a sad face and bye. Garrick amazes me with his knowledge and gentle nature. We met on a hiking page and have grown close. He has read many of the same books, loves poetry and the arts. In just a few months he has become a part of my tiny fragile world. I was just about to log off when my other friend Dark Knight said Hello Swan. How have you been? My heart skips a beat. I have a thing for the BATMAN. Have and always will. The mere mention of that name of Bruce Wayne makes my very palms sweat. It is silly but Oh so true. I type OK just tired. Long day at work. He told me he had read my last story and really liked it. I type a smiley face. I decide to tell him also about the puzzle. Dark Knight types back. Do you have the paper now? I typed back yes. He types back tell me the words again. I typed them. He types that is interesting. He asks if I am up for some roleplay. I typed maybe tomorrow when I am the library. He said he would send me a starter and that he was looking forward to hearing from me. I typed a smiley face and until then. He types take care Swan. I type U2. I log off and lean back in my desk chair staring at the puzzle and fold it up and placed it in inside the desk drawer with the others. I am beat. I need to sleep but my mind as usual is racing. I type up some notes for my fanfiction story and save in in my documents file and head sluggishly to bed at midnight.
I get up at 6am and head straight for the coffee. I grab a mug and spoon some sugar and creamer and scurry to my porch to sit in my usual ritual. I stare at the birdfeeder as the cardinal pair shrill an alert that I had stepped out then slowly the males crest relaxes as his love daintily pecks at the seed. The blue jay gang arrive in a group of seven and wait their turn as I sip my coffee again and look at the sun emerging into the clouds.
I arrive at the library fifteen minutes early and grab my things and arranged my purse, journal, lunch at keys Todd was pulling in and waves as his car slides into to the next employee spot.
"Lillium! How goes it?" My tall dark and shaggy haired co-worker cries. "Okay." I say back. Todd slams the door to his ancient and rusted toyota tercel and laughs. "What is wrong Lily? You can tell me."
Only my closest friends ever called me Lily. My mom loved flowers and picked lilium just for me. She was an exceptional gardner, a forever dreamer, a joyful and giving spirit. The mere whisper of that name made my heart ache in memory of her. "I'll tell you later." I say worried that we may be late as he shrugs and shuffles his wrinkled cargo pants hanging over Vasque hiking boots toward the library entrance.
Chapter 2
Todd tosses me the keys to the drop box as he runs in to turn on the lights. I grab the cart and hoist the precious cargo inside and start toward the aisles. "Lily. Come on... Tell me what is wrong."
"Alright. But it sounds crazy."
"Try me!" He says and we sit down behind the desk facing eachother.
"About two months ago I starting noticing familiar words in the crossword puzzle."
"Okay...and?"
" Not like the usual re-used words. I mean things that either I had said in a phone conversation recently, things I had typed in a e-mail to my friends, things in instant messager and even things on my fanfiction stories...even the ones I have saved and not published yet."
Todd nods for me to go on.
"Well today it brought up some other things, deep things like only I would get...things I think about, things I worry over...It is as if this person is trying to communicate to me."
"Now that is freaky. If this guy is some kind of hacker he could gain access from there he got your full name and then hacked your cell. I can help with your computer and you will need to debug the cell, ...but that last part...well how could he know what you think about?"
"It's like he is a profiler..you know like on CSI only he is profiling me...he seems to have figured me out right from my birth to even what I think on my future...it is scarey."
"Do you have any of the puzzles with you?" Todd asks.
"No but I have been saving them after I began to think it was not a coincidence."
"It's okay we can always go back and get them all. I am curious to what messages he is trying to send. How do you feel?"
"Scared...I have never had anyone know so much about me that was a total stranger."
Just then a young blonde guy with dark rimmed glasses and a green army jacket walks in and signs in for the computer. He looks right at me and chills go down my arms. ( Maybe that is him?) I wonder.
I jump as Todd put his arm on my shoulder. "Don't worry Lily we will figure this out."
Todd goes and grabs todays paper and turns it to the Classified section and folds the crossword and slides it my way.
"Tell me what he is saying to you today."
Chapter 3
I wait on mostly regulars who are returning and checking out books and watch as the stranger in the green army jacket slowly grabs his backpack and exits. The library is now filled with patrons, most using our free internet service. I take a minute and log onto to explorer and leave Garrick a message. "I don't think the crosswords are a coincidence. I can prove it. Meet me around 9:30." I then leave Caith a message. I erase it then add it again. I worry about the message but Caith knows how both our accounts were toyed with. We met on facebook. We share not just a fanpage and roleplay. We grew close, very close over the many months. We noticed our roleplay and mail began to disappear. I told him about my myspace page and my old accounts that I had as fanpages that I was blocked from and could not retrieve my images. Caith said he believed me. Caith now runs one page that I was blocked after creating. He even retrieved my photos and has them hidden in an album that only we can view. Many times while chatting we would get booted off as If someone wanted to keep us apart. Caith always listens to me. Caith never faltered when I told him about all my images and mail. Caith is many things to me. He is one of my now closest and dearest. I try to clear my head. I think back to the time I logged into my fanpage on myspace and my mail had already been read. Caith believes now that I am being watched. Caith and I find ways still to talk even after we get booted. I want to tell him about this but...about Caith. He is not well. He had a seizure recently and now his eye is blurry and his muscles ache. He is so far away...He is in Africa and gets little care in clinics. I try not to stay upset. One day Caith says he will move and we can see eachother everday. I tell him how boring my life is but some how he always seems fascinated by me and my dull routined life. He will now know about the paper. I type a message and hit send. I exhale a deep breath and clutch the day's paper and begin to look for clues. Todd sits back down beside me with a book in his hand." Usually it has a theme." I whisper to Todd.
Todd smiles. "Well then, let's crack the code!" While you find the answers, I want to do my own investigating. I mean look." He points to the name under the puzzle. "He has a name also."
I stare at the name.
"Does that name ring any bells Lily?"
"No. None that I recall."
"I am going to see what I can find out about this guy."
"Look...Here's another one. Just the other day I was talking about my story. It is one I cannot seem to complete. It is a saga about Tesla. I point to the clue written as Long story and Todd whispers "saga, okay next." I point to the next clue sphere three letters and whisper "orb" that was how I described the machine. The next I whisper are look at this clue. Words of longing. Eight letters." I write in IMISSYOU." Todd taps the desk with his hands. The next clue I show him is boat's back. I write in STERN. A woman approaches and hands me a book. I scan her card and print up her receipt and thank her. I then lean toward Todd. "My story also has a ship...a time machine, but it is a ship. The ship is has bird-like features...I named it the Epipany." I point the the next clue five letters for flying monster of myth and write "HARPY." I stare at more clues...Three letters for blue. I slowly write SAD. Todd slides his chair closer. "Are you sad?" I nod slowly. "Sometimes." The next is they may clash four letters. I write in EGOs. Todd smiles. I go across to the next clue which is tried to lose six letters. The next clues stir me deep inside as I read on. Desire four letters. I write in WANT. Connecting to its T is REST for the clue take it easy. Unmatched three letters, even score three letters, toe count three letters. I think to myself how I had dreamed of that date and how it would make the perfect date for a wedding... ten, ten , ten. I had wondered if I would become an old spinster. I twirl my pen then look at the bottom of the page . The next is no-no's six letters, stir up six letters. I finish it and tell him the only theme is me. He leans closer. "Who do you miss Lily? Why are you sad?" I shrug. "It's complicated." He sighs and points to the jumble. "Maybe another clue is in there."
We stare in silence as the first word seems to jump from the page. It says DEVEL. I swallow hard. Todd leans on the desk and rubs his hair. "Delve." he says. I write it in. The next is CHITK. I write in thick. The next is EMBACE. We whisper in unison "Became." I stop. "I don't see a theme."
"The whole thing is creepy Lily. I don't want you getting here early. Try to get here just before opening. I don't like this one bit!"
"I will try but you know how I hate to be late." I say with a giggle.
"Yeah, well...This guy may be watching you not just on the web but in person. Do you have pepper-spray?"
I laugh. "Are you kidding? I would only spray my own face. You know how clumsy I can be."
"Well I can show you how to use it. I really think you should carry it, if not a tazor Lily."
I look up to a tall bearded man holding a book smiling exposing showing yellowed teeth and pulling at his peppered beard. I wonder how long he had been listening. I smile. "Oh. Sorry. " Todd takes is book and scans his card sliding the receipt neatly into the front. The guys pauses staring right back at me. I squirm in my chair. "Thank you and have a nice day." The bearded man tilts back his head and laughs and laughs. "Oh. You too doll." I stare at him as he leaves.
"So I am not crazy?" I ask watching the creepy guy leave.
"Oh. You are crazy, but this time I think someone crazier than you is actually obsessed. I mean Lily. You don't seem to know how many guys even women in here hit on you. You are just too nice to everyone."
Every male that enters now makes me stop and stare. I wonder if it could be him.
Todd re-shelves some carts and slides the empty cart my way. "I can get his background, you know. It is public record. I can also find a photo of him from either staff shots at the newspaper of from yearbooks. That way you can relax."
I tug at my hair and bite my lip. "Thank you Todd."
"Don't mention it Lily." and pushes the cart back toward the periodical wall.
The library has late hours. Todd walks me out to my car at 8:30 looking side to side in the parking lot. "If you want I can follow you home, just to see you get inside okay."
"I'll be okay."
"All right but you have my cell. Call me. I don't care what time it is."
I nod suddenly he gives me a hug. I hold my breath. It has been so long since I have been hugged. He steps back. In the glow of the parking lights I could swear he was blushing just like me.
Chapter 4
I arrive home again and scurry to let the dogs in. I wish I had put up the doggey door so they could come and go but glad that there is no way for an intruder to enter.
I feed and pet everyone then grab my stacks of papers and search. I find an old one from November 27th and try to think back to what I may have been talking about or writing. I look at the clues. Pufrock's creator five letters, three letter for favorite Pet, six letters for sample five letters for marsh plants...I see slowly a tiny theme...my work...I look again 29 down gardener at times. I look at 5 down. Creator of the Joads nine letters and my eyes go wide. I recall talking to Garrick about this. I look at 23 across shiny trifle six letters. I recall telling Garrick about love tokens and tiny baubels. We had conversed about King Arthur that day. My jaw drops as I read 2 down six letters for Galahad's mother. Thirty across seven letters for Coxswain's count. Fourth letter is O for CEO... Clue was Corp. bigwig. I look for any other clues. Fifteen across 6 letters for mensa qualification. "Yes! this guy is smart!" I whisper. I try to think what else Garrick and I had discussed as our conversations were always long and usually un-relating in content. I wondered if I did happen to mention my necklace...If so that would be clue 34 down answer for four letters for Continental Currency. Did I mention that? I then try to recall if I had told him about kayaking and the fish. If so that was 27 down. I will ask him online tonight.
I finish the crossword and head to the jumble. I plan to scribe all the words that fit for me in order. I was edgy but more than that, I actually was curious at what it could all mean. I stare at his name. I decide to run a search. I type in slowly as my hands shake the letters M i k e G a r r i o n.
I get a few hits but non that are for the newspaper. I type in their homepage and bingo there he is. I stare at his picture. He is clean cut wearing a tight fitting shirt with the sleeves rolled up. His face is to the side with hipster black framed glasses. He is holding a pencil in one hand staring at a page in deep thought at his desk. I read his impressive credentials. I type in the school and his class years but can't find up a single article or photo. I look at his name again. Why was there no links?
"It's his pen name!" I scream. My dogs run to my side in alarm as I laugh at my latest discovery. My spy is about to be spied upon.
I pause when I feel a furry paw on my leg announcing a need to go outside. My Jack Russel springs up in tiny bounces like a red rubber ball. I stretch and grab the two leashes hung by the door. I walk around the block thinking about this Mike person and what his puzzles mean. I wonder first how he found me.
I stop in the middle of the road as the dogs pull me slightly forward. (My about me section.) I put that I loved crosswords. If he was searching for people who had similiar interest then that would be listed. I thought to what else I may have typed. My interests in books, movies.
It reminded me of my latest find. Yet another Selina Kyle...my old screen name long ago that I had put in bold caps was a fanpage for her character and that I claimed no right to her as that was owned by DC Comics but someone turned me in and all my roleplaying days ended.
I wait patiently for my dogs to do their business and drift back to my most recent confusion. The alarm when reading on my photos and fanpage this Selina's comments of likes. This persona whom appeared so interested in my art, a photo gift from Caith and yet she never friend requested me. I read her page and was shocked at the similiarity. It was as if she was a copy cat...a single white female and I was the Bridgette Fonda shaking in fear in horror. Caith read her page that day and agreed it was no co-incidence. He knew we had already had enough problems. I read on to see all my favorite playwriters, poets even movie quotes that adore. She even added things that to me are important such as religion, history even politics. It was yet another slap in the face at how scarey the net can be...I slowly transformed intothe Sandra Bullock in The Net. I had blinked in delirium when I saw my favorite charities from my myspace page and read in a stupor at one of my all time favorites that I wrote about from the book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep and the movie Bladerunner. I don't believe in co-incidences any more. She even added the abuse as if she read it in my poems and myspace.
I shrug and walk on. (Why are these people following me?) I grab a baggy to grab some goodies and laugh. (Why do they need to shit all over me?)
Chapter 5
I get back to my house and begin a search on puzzles. It was not hard at all to find people with the same interests. Garrick had found me through a hiking group. I think one of these groups this Mike guy must have spotted me. (Could he be this Selina?) Who is anyone really on the web? I recall reading about trapdoor. It was designed for the web but also installed in phones in 2010. If I was being spied on I planned to retaliate. I planned to go full on nerd and get to the bottom of this bottomless black well of grief. I wanted my simple life back, my personal life intact, my dreams left to only me and my hopes left to my own devise. I know now what I must do.
I did a background on puzzles and messages. The dated back heavily in the Cold War and were also used for the FBI or CIA to deliver secret messages. I went through the stacks again. I look at my watch. It was after 9. I decide to go on early. Garrick was already there.
I argue over key words until eventually he types This is strange. We just talked about those topics two days ago.
I typed I told you so. I went back through our old emails I still had and typed in more clues. I then amped it up by adding a recent phone call where we had discussed a meal. The very words appeared.
Swan I plan to pay this guy a visit. In the meantime be careful. He typed.
I will. Just then DarkKnight came on through instant message Hello Swan
I typed Hello
How is the writing going?
Fine
Any more puzzling encounters?
Yes
Such as?
Well I compiled them all. Most match the dates I had stored or published my stories and others were messages I had sent online but the next was of a recent phone conversation.
That is not good.
Swan I don't want to scare you by this but do you live alone?
Yes.
I was afraid you were going to say that
Any possible room-mates or friends who could stay over for a while?
Not really. I work two jobs and my friends all have weird schedules and we rarely see eachother.
I can recommend a good virus protection and you can get help with your phone by taking it back to the supplier.
I guess you can't exactly go to the police with this just yet.
I know. They would think I am crazy.
I wish I could be there to help you. I would give this guy a good pummeling.
LOL Thanks.
Listen I know we always roleplay but if you get scared call me. I know I am way out in California but I am usually up late.
Thanks. I just might.
:)
I now get a message from Caith.
I am worried about you. How are you Lily?
I type quickly to DarkKnight G2g
ok be safe Swan and call me!
OK
I type to Caith. I am fine.
Caith types You need to get a restraining order out on this guy.
Caith, a restraining order is for people who have harmed you or are stalking you.
Exactly Lily! He is stalking you.
Well in a way perhaps but I would sound crazy...besides what if I am wrong.
You are not. This guy has been watching you. I don't like it. I wish I could be there to protect you.
Caith don't worry. I am sure this guy is harmeless.
Lily any man has the possibility to be dangerous. Don't ever think that all men are angels...I was even attacked in broad daylight. They had knives. Anything can happen.
OMG! Caith! That is horrible.
Yeah. Sorry to scare you, but there is alot of evil out in the world. I have been witness to it. That is why I want you to get help from the police, if you want then a private detective.
Hey that's a good idea...Have him I will check into that and see how much that may cost...you know I get paid 8/hr so hmmmm we will see.
Please Lily.
OK! OK! I will look into it.
Thank you.
Caith, stop worrying...I will be ok. Gotta go let my dogs out. Talk tomorrow same time?
OK.
ok
bye
Bye Bella
Ciao :)
Chapter 6
I arrived back at Jack's ready for a full day. I was handed the keys to the our biggest van. I loaded it up and headed out. The spring weather gave people a falls sense of gardening. I knew we would probably have more snow but it gave me more hours so who was I to argue.
I finish my first run and stopped for lunch. I pull out my crossword and concentrate deep in thought. I jump when a I see a man standing by my window. 'Sorry. I didn't mean to scare you." The stranger say.
I set the crossword down and eye the parking back parking lot. It is empty. I don't answer. "I noticed your van is from Jack's and wondered if you might now when the Hosta mixes will arrive."
"Oh. A few more weeks. We still may get one more snow."
"Thanks."
"No problem."
He turns then stops. "You working on the crosswords?"
"Uhhh yeah."
"I like those too. Today's is the hardest."
I nod. "Yes. Sundays are the best."
"Well thanks again."
I try to manage a smile.
He turns as I watch him walk back around the alley. I roll up my window, lock the doors and head back to Jack's.
I grab my next load and head out only this time I keep the windows up and lock the doors. I watch my rear view mirror and pay attention to the people around me as I stack out the plants. I get done as night falls and head back with my empty van. I pull out of Jack's and head home. I remember pulling up to my house to my dogs howling then...everything gets really scary.
I grab my mail and ruffle through the bills. One large red envelope is in the back. I pull it out. My name and address was typed. There is no return address and it has no stamp. I look around in the darkness and fumble with my keys. I flip on the lamp and toss the mail and my purse and keys on my desk and stare at the envelope. My dogs begin to bark loudly wanting to be let in. My hands are shaking as I slowly life up the envelope. I eye it closely. I pause thinking perhaps I should not open it. I think maybe I should...(what? Take it to the police and tell them it may be from the puzzler so they can laugh at me?) I rip it open to find a Valentine Card shaped like a heart. It has a Cupid on the front outlined with tiny bits of lace and glitter. I open the card and across the poem are tiny cutouts. My jaw drops as I look at the letters cut out from the paper. It reads YOu WilL BE mINe!
I drop the card. (What was that? Did I just hear something in the house? Is he here? )
I wait for another noise. Silence. I walk slowly down the hallway. I can hardly breath. My chest is tight as I round the corner to the kitchen. I flip on the light. (nothing!) I grab a knife from the stand on the butcher block and head downstairs. I move slowly down the stairs.
(Oh GOD don't grab my ankles please!) I make it to the floor and run to the door and my two dogs run inside with mouths open and tail wagging. They don't seem alarmed. I slowly relax and slide the knife to a safer position under my wrist. The dogs run full force upstairs. I look into the corners of my basement. The one tiny light leaves too many dark corners. I am alone again.
I sprint back upstairs and bolt the door. I clutch the knife handle tighter. My dogs follow me to the desk. I grab the phone and call Todd.
Ring... Ring(pick up!)Ring...Ring...(pick up!) I get voicemail.
I whisper. "It's Lily. I...I need to talk to you. I think he knows where I live...Uhhhh can you come by?"
I jump when my cat thumps the floor landing off the sofa and scurrying toward my leg. The animals sense I am upset. I need to get out of here!
I jump when my cell rings.
"Hello"
"Lily! Lily! I am on my way! Are you alright?"
"Yeah. I think so." I pace back and forth in the living room. Thephone cuts off.
"Todd?"
I look at the phone. I look at contacts and get ready to punch his name when it rings.
"Todd...We must have got cut off."
A deep voice whispers "This isn't Todd! Did you like the card?"