Track marks squiggle, investigator leans closer, translucent spider vanishes beneath victim’s sleeve. Scarcely able to comprehend circumstances investigator jots brief description of scene onto notepad:

“Translucent spider crawls up arm,

Retraces track marks on fair skin,

Inscription on veined porcelain

Advises: ‘Shield yourself from harm,

Dark devastation lurks within.’”

Later Inspector Danielle must analyze crime scene more thoroughly but for now she relies on immediate impressions, gut instinct. Yvette Stroud, missing for months,... Show more