Page 50 of Girl, Undone
The original plan had been four experiments and no more.It would be enough to test his theorems, reduce the effect of random variability, and increase the integrity of his findings.Four trials would be enough to validate the data, but with this recent setback, he might be forced to extend his series.He had to compensate for the fire's unpredictability and regain the meticulous control he prided himself on.This additional experiment would not just be a recovery of his plan, but an enhancement.It would be a chance to delve deeper into the psychology of fear and understand it in ways no one else ever had.
This time, he would leave nothing to chance.He would refine his techniques.
As he looked over his list of potential subjects, a name caught his eye.
He’d narrowed his list down to ten suspects, only a handful of which would be chosen.But the name that seized his attention was a new addition, and if he took the plunge and pulled this one off, he could do something no one had ever done before.
The thought electrified him.Imagining the moment of realization, the dawning terror in his subject's eyes, it reignited a fire within him.The first two experiments had been a thrill unlike any he had known before.But this time, he craved more.He wanted to immerse himself in that moment completely, to savor every nuance of their fear, to feel it pulse through him like a living thing.
The new subject was a wild card, but it added an exhilarating edge to his plans.The uncertainty, the unpredictability, it was a gamble, but one that promised an unparalleled reward.
He pulled the list closer and fixated on the new name.It had walked into his life and almost begged him to play with it.It would take some preparation, but he'd sourced rats, dug graves, and started fires.
How hard could it be to find a few needles?
CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
An online search had told Ella everything she needed to know about the Scarecrow app.
Scarecrow is designed to help users identify and manage their fears and rapid onset anxieties.Join now for advice, encouragement, and conversations with specialized therapists.
Ella was still in her office, physically alone but connected to another human via the magic of technology.She was on loudspeaker with Amelia Wilson, her assigned tech analyst and fellow member of the Ultra-Violent Crime Unit.Perhaps the UVCU did have some advantages.
‘I’m at home, by the way,’ Amelia said.Her British accent was thick with sleep.
‘But still awake at 1 AM.’
‘That’s generally what happens someone calls you in the dead of night.You wake up.Are you ready for me to connect?’
‘Ready when you are.Will you be able to see everything?’
‘I can see everything on your screen.Give me a second.’
Ella’s screen began to lag, then a little notification in the corner popped up telling her that an IP address in Washington D.C.was now in control of her device.‘I can see you.’
‘I certainly hope not.Right, what do you need me to look at?Why am I looking at someone’s phone data?’
‘Forget the phone,’ Ella said.She pointed at one of the folders on the screen, momentarily forgetting Amelia couldn’t see her.‘Look at that app on the bottom row.Scarecrow.I need you to get me into that.’
‘Scarecrow,’ Amelia said.‘Never heard of it.What is it?’
‘It’s an app for phobias.Our recent victim has an account on there, and I need you to get in there and work your magic.’
Amelia began clicking around.‘What kind of magic?’
‘Everything.I want this woman’s conversations, pictures, voice notes, the lot.’
‘Does Vernon know about this?’
‘No, but it’s 1 AM.’
‘Believe me, I know.’
‘So I’ll tell him tomorrow.’
‘Alright.Well, Ella, you’ve got a problem.I can see it a mile off.’
Ella held her breath.‘What?’
