Web of Darkness

by Bali Rai

  Mr Warren looked towards us and I raised my eyebrows. He shook his head just once. We didn’t move as DC Evans and Dr Woods approached us. Both wore grim expressions, and our principal looked worn out. Her usually immaculate skirt was wrinkled and her hair was a mess.

  ‘Have any of you heard from Max Jones?’ asked Dr Woods.

  ‘You’re his friends, right?’ added DC Evans, eyeing us all.

  ‘Yes . . .’ Tilly replied.

  Dr Woods seemed to look to DC Evans for approval. When the officer nodded, she continued. ‘Someone posted a video on Max’s wall last night,’ she told us. ‘I’m sure you’re all aware of this.’

  ‘The whole school knows,’ admitted Tilly.

  ‘It’s much more serious than that,’ said DC Evans.

  ‘Serious how?’ I asked, getting worried.

  ‘Max is missing,’ she replied.

  The Spider smiles as he watches the latest photo download. Girl #2 is wearing tiny red shorts and little else. She types a message.

  You like?

  She doesn’t realize that her webcam is on. That she is being recorded. The Spider isn’t just looking at her self-shot photographs. He’s watching her as she takes them. Soon, he will reveal them to the world.

  You look amazing, babe.

  Better than the other girls?

  They aren’t even on the same planet. Never mind the same league.

  Promise?

  I promise.

  So rate me out of ten?

  Like, a MILLION, babe.

  You’re just saying that.

  No way! You’re model material – like I told you.

  My thighs are too fat.

  Your thighs are beautiful.

  What about my bum?

  Just perfect.

  When will you offer me the contract?

  Soon – just got to show the agency these shots.

  So, like, I’ll be famous?

  Yeah, babe – the whole world is gonna know your name.

  Can’t wait! I’ve wanted to be famous since I was five.

  The Spider shakes his head. Such self-obsession, in one so young. Girl #2 wants fame. Soon she will have her desire.

  Time for the next cliché – how’s it go? Oh yeah . . .

  Be careful what you wish for . . .

  19

  The police launched an appeal after they spoke to us. But two days later Max still hadn’t turned up. I was becoming more and more afraid that something awful had happened. I recalled Max talking about Amy’s death. He’d said only naïve people got exploited online. That they left themselves open to public shame. One sentence went round and round in my head.

  You’d never be able to show your face again.

  Is that what had happened to Max? Was he so scared, so ashamed, that he’d run off to hide? I wished that I could talk to him – to tell him that his friends cared. That we wouldn’t judge him over what he’d done. But despite endless calls and texts from us all, he wasn’t replying. The last time I’d tried, his phone had been off.

  The police were particularly concerned about the woman Max had interacted with online – her name was Charlotte – and I wondered if that was where he was now. Had he run to her? After interviewing us with Dave and Dr Woods present, we were asked to keep quiet about her. Kane was the only one who really knew anything about her – and even then, only what Max had told him. The police wanted time to confirm the facts, said DI Meadows. DC Evans’s expression had told me everything – this was serious.

  That evening, after I’d had to convince my mum that I was safe online, I caught up with Benedict. I’d been feeling awful for ignoring him, and had decided to apologize. I still felt uneasy, as I’d confided in Kane, but not so much. Thinking about Max had made me realize that friends were important, and Benedict obviously liked me. He wouldn’t have been so wound up otherwise. And even though he’d been acting a bit weird, I liked him too. When we connected, he seemed genuinely upset.

  Just a quick message would have done, Lily.

  Sorry, Benny. I don’t know what to say.

  I thought we were friends, you and me?

  We are. I’ve just been really busy and now Max has gone and I fell out with Tilly too.

  Oh no – what happened with Tilly? I thought you were like sisters?

  We are – at least we were. Just girl stuff though. I’m really hoping it’ll blow over soon.

  You know you can tell me anything, Lily.

  Yeah – I know.

  I wondered whether I wanted to tell him. I was sort of torn too, between him and Kane, and how I felt about both of them. I’d never had any lad interested in me before, and now it felt like I had two. With Kane, it was just that – a feeling and nothing more, and I considered whether I was being stupid. Like, was Kane just being friendly, and was I reading too much into it?

  With Benedict, I knew he liked me, but I wasn’t sure whether that was enough. The odd messages and the webcam bothered me. And, besides, he lived in another country. He seemed real and unreal at once, if that makes any sense?

  Kane was completely real, though, and given the choice, I’d pick him every time. The problem was that I didn’t have that choice – I just wanted it to happen. And that didn’t mean it would.

  Are you still there, Lily?

  Yeah, I was just thinking.

  About your problem with Tilly?

  No – that’s just over her new man. It’s nothing, I’m sure.

  What then?

  Max – my friend who’s missing.

  Maybe he’s just hiding out – like he’s upset and wants some time to himself?

  I hope that’s all it is.

  He’ll probably turn up in a day or so – you’ll see.

  It’s just weird.

  What?

  First Amy dies, then Max goes missing. It’s like there’s a curse on the school or something.

  You and Max were close huh?

  We’re good friends. Have been since we started at the school.

  Close enough, then.

  Don’t wanna go to school tomorrow.

  So don’t. Stay home and chat to me.

  But what about the time difference?

  I’m always online.

  I’ve noticed that. You ever sleep?

  Not much. When I do, though, I dream of you!

  Charmer!

  Got any more pics?

  No.

  Connect the webcam?

  Not today – I still have to revise. It’s important to me, Benny. I want to get the best grades I can. You understand, don’t you?

  Yeah but I just want to see your face – only for a moment. To see your smile . . .

  Why?

  Because you’re lovely, Lily.

  Look – as soon as I get a chance, I will, OK?

  Guess that will have to do. For now.

  I’d told Benedict I had to work and was just getting into my revision when Danny messaged me. The police were holding a press conference about Max, live on Sky. I didn’t have a TV in my room, so I ran downstairs to watch. DC Evans sat next to her boss, DI Meadows. His face was bright red and he was sweating. DC Evans’s expression was stony.

  ‘We’ve had several reports but nothing concrete,’ said DI Meadows. ‘We would urge anyone with information to contact us. The number to call is displayed on the screen.’

  Another question was fired at the policeman, but I couldn’t hear it.

  ‘Yes – we are treating it as suspicious,’ said Meadows. ‘There is a natural investigative window for these cases of forty-eight hours – after which unease grows. Right now, we’re concerned that Max hasn’t attempted to make contact with his family or friends. He hasn’t taken any clothes or a bag either. The only things he took are his wallet and phone, and the clothes he was last wearing. The nature of our search is urgent. We need to find him.’

  My mum walked in as I watched. Her face was drawn and the skin under eyes was dark. She looked exhausted.

  �
��How long now?’ she asked.

  ‘Huh?’

  ‘Since Max went?’

  ‘Three days almost,’ I said. ‘He went in the middle of the night. Didn’t even take any clothes or anything.’

  Mum shook her head. ‘That’s not a good sign,’ she told me. ‘People who run away take stuff.’

  I nodded. ‘That’s what I was thinking,’ I told her. ‘You could ask Dave – he’s coordinating between the police and school, so he might know more. I saw him earlier but he’s more likely to tell you.’

  ‘I might do that,’ she told me.

  When I didn’t respond, Mum put her hand on my shoulder. ‘You OK?’

  ‘No,’ I said. ‘After Amy, and now this – no . . .’

  Mum kissed me on the cheek. ‘Don’t hold your feelings in,’ she told me. ‘I’m here for you, OK?’

  ‘Thanks, Mum,’ I replied.

  On the screen, DI Meadows held up some clothing. He told reporters that Max was wearing similar items, and then showed a photo of him.

  ‘Will the Jones family be making a statement?’ asked another reporter.

  DI Meadows shook his head and I could see that he was annoyed at the question. ‘Right now,’ he said forcefully, ‘I would request that the family be left alone. This is not a circus, it’s a missing person’s case. If they decide to speak to the press, you’ll be the first to know. Until then, please respect their wishes.’

  Meadows answered some more questions– mostly repeating what he’d already said. I turned off and went back upstairs. Fifteen minutes later, I saw that I had a message from Benedict.

  Another pic of me – enjoy!

  I scrolled up the screen and found it. My mouth fell open and I blushed, even though I was the only person in the room. The tiny hairs on my forearm began to tingle, as though something was crawling across them. I couldn’t bring myself to reply.

  It was another shot of Benedict’s crotch. Only this time he was naked.

  Lily?

  I logged off.

  Ten years earlier, the Spider is sitting at a table in downtown Manhattan. He looks across the Hudson River, towards Jersey City, the skyline busy with cranes and construction work. His day job takes him into the financial district, temping for a multinational bank.

  Today, however, he is moonlighting. This is his night shift. A man approaches, his bulk barely contained within his chocolate-brown leather coat. His head is square, his black hair shaved, and his jaw looks as though it is carved from granite. Behind him, two equally huge men loiter by a black Mercedes S-Class. They look like primates in thousand-dollar suits. They couldn’t get closer to the stereotype of Russian mafia if they tried.

  The boss is called Grigori and he takes the seat opposite the Spider.

  ‘Boss,’ the Spider says in greeting.

  ‘What do you have?’ Grigori asks, waving away a passing waiter.

  The Spider reaches into his nylon backpack and pulls out an envelope. He shows Grigori the contents – a stack of CD-Rs. Each one contains the financial details of a thousand unsuspecting bank customers from across the world.

  When the Spider explains this, Grigori smiles. ‘How much?’ he asks.

  ‘If you give me regular work,’ the Spider tells him, ‘you can have these for free. I can get as many more as you wish.’

  ‘What work do you do?’

  The Spider takes his laptop from his bag. ‘Industrial espionage, hacking, viruses, specialist porn. Whatever you need. I have some examples of my work here, but we’ll have to look at this stuff in private,’ he tells Grigori.

  The gangster grins. They stand and walk to his car.

  20

  Mum didn’t complain when I told her I couldn’t face school the following day. She just nodded and gave me a hug. I didn’t have much on anyway. The lessons were mostly catch-up and revision sessions, and I could revise at home. I tried to sleep but I couldn’t stop thinking about Max and Amy, or Benedict’s stupid pic, or my argument with Tilly. So I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, all of it churning around my head.

  The nude pic had really bothered me. It made me question Benedict’s motives. I kept thinking about how pushy he’d been over the webcam – going on and on about it. At first, I hadn’t even noticed he was being so insistent. That only happened when the messages started becoming more frequent. Now, though, I had the sense that I was being played. Was that really all he’d wanted – some slapper to show him her boobs? Was I supposed to look at his naked pic and send one in return? The thought of it made me angry and miserable at the same time.

  Around ten a.m., Kane messaged me to see where I was. I looked at my phone for ages before replying. When I did, I told him the truth, and said I’d be around all day.

  You want me to come over?

  If you want to.

  After school then?

  Yeah – that would be cool.

  OK.

  I had a shower and got dressed, before making some toast. In the living room, I couldn’t concentrate on my revision so I watched telly on the widescreen that Dave had hung on the wall when he’d lived with us. I flicked channels, hoping to find something good – or at least something that wasn’t a repeat. I didn’t manage it and had to settle for Blackadder Series 2 – something Mum had got me into after I’d gone off Mr Bean. As Rowan Atkinson’s rubbery face made me smile, my phone buzzed again. Tilly . . .

  You avoiding me?

  No. Why would I do that?

  Because you hate me?

  I don’t hate you, Tilly. You hate me.

  I don’t hate you. I was just angry, that’s all. I miss you.

  I miss you too.

  Reading those words made me smile. I wanted nothing more than to have her back, properly. I couldn’t lose her because I’d never find another friend like her. She was my girl.

  So why are you off school?

  Didn’t feel right. Can’t stop thinking about Max.

  Me neither but I’m here.

  Bully for you, Tilly Poo! Why don’t you drop by later? Kane is coming over after school.

  Can’t. Got stuff to do.

  I immediately thought of her new man, and shook my head. I was still hoping that she’d see sense and get rid of him.

  With him?

  No – with Mum. See you tomorrow?

  Yeah.

  The house was a mess, so after Blackadder, I tidied and vacuumed. I was tempted to check my PC – see if Benedict had been back in touch, but I didn’t. I wasn’t sure how I felt. Instead, I tried to revise, but I couldn’t think straight. In the end I found a 1980s film called The Breakfast Club on Netflix and settled down to watch.

  The film was great – lots of music my mum loved and cool characters. I dozed off at the end and only woke up when my phone buzzed for a third time. I thought it might be Tilly again, but it wasn’t. It was Danny and he was obviously off school too.

  Sky News. NOW.

  I switched channel, shuddered at what I saw on screen, and burst into tears.

  ‘Police investigating the disappearance of Leicester teenager Max Jones tell Sky sources that they have discovered a body. No identity confirmed, as yet, but we’ll bring you updates as soon as they happen on the UK’s fastest news channe . . . Once again, Sky sources can confirm that police investigating the whereabouts of missing Leicester teenager Max Jones have discovered a body. More on this breaking news story when we return . . .’

  The Spider sits and reads through a long list of messages, his mind wandering. He has never failed. Each of his victims has been carefully nurtured and none has ever escaped . . .

  Yet here he is – unable to understand why this one won’t fall for his trap. She is dismissive of his efforts, ignorant even. He’s tried several well-worn strategies but she has rebuffed each one. The Spider has been doing this for a long time. He is not about to be beaten by her . . .

  As he reads back through their interactions, he begins to smile. With what he knows already, and what she is yet to
discover, perhaps it is time to up the ante. To raise his game . . .

  21

  A cemetery sits opposite Leicester University. An iron railway bridge crosses the ring road next to it; the bridge has a walkway. Max was found on the tracks below. He’d hanged himself – using the same type of rope as Amy had used. It had snapped, which is why he’d fallen. At least that’s what the news reports said.

  I was out for a walk, five days after Max’s body had been discovered. My mind was numb, my thoughts haphazard. I crossed Regent Street, passing Oadby Fish Bar and an Asian food store. There was no pattern to my route. I was just wandering really. A Sikh man, his turban bright orange, pulled up to the kerb alongside me. He got out and entered the Desi Meat Shop. He drove a silver Mercedes and his young kids were in the back, fiddling with their phones. A lorry rushed past, heading south on the A6, towards my house.

  At the BP garage, I went left up Stoughton Road. Danny’s family lived half a mile away, in a massive detached house with a gated drive and tennis courts. I thought about sending him a text – but couldn’t be arsed. I just wanted to be alone – to think. I’d normally confide in Tilly, but our relationship wasn’t great. Yeah, we were talking, but our recent conversations were played out with an elephant in the room. Besides, she was in town with her mum.

  I thought about Kane, but something stopped me from calling at his house. Since Max had been found, Kane hadn’t been over to mine. I still wasn’t sure what was going on between us – if anything even was. I had a mountain of revision too, but I didn’t care right then. I couldn’t get Max out of my head.

  The media had been camped outside school all week. They were around Oadby village too – asking about Max. We’d been advised to avoid them again, but it was difficult. They were like ants. The story was even bigger now Max was dead. And the suicide-pact theory was growing more popular. Never mind that Max and Amy barely spoke, or that there was no evidence that they’d planned anything together. Even my mum’s regular newspaper – normally quite calm and sober – was hyping things.

  Online, Max had his own memorial page to match Amy’s. Facebook was packed with discussions about him. Like, why had he posted a sick video of himself? And, why did he commit suicide? That sort of thing. There were trolls too – loads of them – making nasty comments. I couldn’t stomach it – couldn’t even click on my Web browser icon. So I hadn’t spoken to Benedict since he’d sent me that picture.