13 Months Haunted

Anders, a young man attending his cousin's wedding, hears about his reclusive third cousin, Piper Lowery-Palmer, who lives in Iowa. His uncle Al mentions Piper's involvement in a viral ghost story from the early 2000s that drew paranormal enthusiasts to the town of Clover Creek, leading to chaos and multiple deaths. Fascinated, Anders delves into the sparse online information, formulating theories about the story's impact. Determined to uncover more, he decides to visit Piper in Meservey, Iowa, for his thesis on viral phenomena. Despite initial reluctance, Piper agrees to meet him. Upon arriving at her secluded farmhouse, Anders is warmly greeted by Piper and her husband, Robbie, along with their friendly golden retrievers. The tranquil setting starkly contrasts with the dark history of Clover Creek. Piper, dressed casually and free-spirited, sets the ground rules for the interview, emphasizing confidentiality and anonymity. As they settle in, Piper hints at the complexity of the story, mentioning a significant figure—a girl—whose presence adds depth to the haunting tale.

Piper visits Mr. Fisher's eighth-grade class to promote the library's Spooktacular Scary Story Contest. During her presentation, she notices a new student, Avery Wallace, who appears unusually fearful and withdrawn. As Piper collects the contest entries, she observes Avery interacting with a woman who turns out to be her mother, acting as a classroom aide, which Mr. Fisher explains is highly unusual and concerning.

Concerned, Fisher shares with Piper that Avery recently lost her father and sister in sudden deaths, and that the other students are spreading rumors about her old house being haunted. Disturbed by the subtle bullying Avery faces from two boys in the class, Piper steps into the hallway with Fisher to discuss the situation further. Fisher reveals that the rumors about the haunted house and the deaths of Avery’s family members are causing significant distress among the students.

Piper feels a strong urge to help Avery, recalling her own experiences with bullying during her childhood. She decides to speak more with Fisher about the situation, recognizing the potential for deeper issues beyond just the classroom dynamics.

In a reflective entry on her webjournal, Piper describes her recent move to a small town in the Northwoods, where she works as a library clerk. She shares her experiences of adapting to a quieter, more isolated life, including her adventures with Ripley, her loyal dog, exploring the nearby forests and lakes. Despite the tranquility of her new surroundings, Piper is unsettled by a scary story submitted to the library's Spooktacular Scary Story Contest, which she is running for the local middle school.

The story, titled 'The Thing in the Closet,' is written by Avery Wallace, the new girl in town whose family suffered tragic losses. The narrative details the terrifying experiences of Avery's sister, Rose, who was haunted by a malevolent entity in their closet. The story culminates in a chilling sequence where the entity abducts Rose, leaving Avery and her mother to witness the aftermath. Piper, whose sensitivity to horror has always been acute, finds the story deeply disturbing and wonders about the truth behind it.

Piper's unease with the story reflects her growing concern for Avery, whose fear and isolation in the classroom have not gone unnoticed. The entry concludes with Piper's curiosity and empathy towards Avery, hinting at her intention to delve deeper into the girl's background and the supernatural elements surrounding her.

Piper hoped that writing her first journal post would exorcise the unsettling thoughts that lingered after reading Avery’s story. Despite her plan to focus on mundane activities like canoeing and hiking, she found herself detailing the chilling narrative, posting it online in an attempt to share the burden. This action, however, did little to ease her unease, and she remained spooked, questioning why the story affected her so deeply.

Sitting at her desk, Piper’s concern for Avery grew as she reflected on the story’s content and the rumors circulating about the girl. The sinister undertones in the mother’s behavior in the story and Avery’s mother’s constant presence at school troubled her. Piper worried about the potential impact of the story on Avery’s social life, fearing it would exacerbate the bullying she was already enduring.

Driven by a need to understand more, Piper turned to the internet, using various search engines to find information about Avery and her family. Her efforts yielded no relevant results, which only intensified her curiosity and determination to help the girl. The chapter concludes with Piper checking her closet before going to bed, unable to shake the eerie feeling brought on by the story.

Avery Wallace sits in her therapist's office, reflecting on the questions posed about her fascination with scary movies and books. The doctor probes whether her experiences are influenced by horror films, but Avery firmly believes the entity that killed her sister, Charlotte, was real. The session delves into Avery’s memories of Halloween, a day that once brought joy but now carries a somber and eerie tone since Charlotte’s death.

Avery and the doctor discuss specific horror movies, including 'Carrie' and 'The Blair Witch Project.' Avery recounts how she and Charlotte snuck into see 'The Blair Witch Project,' becoming captivated by its elaborate marketing campaign and pseudo-documentary style. The doctor takes note of Avery’s detailed recollection and expresses interest in watching the film. Avery leaves the session feeling unchanged, wondering if she was supposed to feel differently.

Back at home, Avery writes in her diary, acknowledging the continued presence of the evil entity in her house, the site of Charlotte’s murder. The entity lingers in the living room where she is writing, a constant reminder of the haunting that persists.

Piper meets Fisher at Thompson’s Pizza and Pub to discuss Avery’s story. Fisher reads the story and comments on Avery’s writing skills, but he doesn’t find it concerning. Piper expresses her worries about Avery, particularly the rumors about her family and the potential for more bullying if the story wins the contest. Fisher suggests that Avery might be processing her emotions through her writing, and he notes the unorthodox behavior of Avery’s mother, speculating that it might stem from her grief over losing her husband and daughter.

After the conversation, Piper walks home, reflecting on her discussion with Fisher. She passes by a house where she sees Shane, one of the boys who bullied Avery, and another boy playing with fireworks and a rifle. Shane’s father catches them and violently punishes Shane, dragging him into the garage while shouting obscenities. Piper feels a mix of shock, pity, and a fleeting sense of satisfaction, but she quickly shakes off the latter emotion. She hurries home, aware that Shane’s father is watching her, and she ponders the cycle of violence and its impact on children.

Piper’s encounter with the violent scene leaves her with a deeper understanding of the roots of Shane’s bullying behavior. She feels a renewed sense of urgency to help Avery, driven by a gut feeling that something is not right with the girl and her family.

Piper revels in the buzz of activity at the library as children eagerly explore the new computers. Her spirits lift, watching the kids dive into the digital world with wide-eyed wonder. However, her mood darkens when Avery and her mother, Susan, enter. Piper notices Susan's controlling and protective behavior, keeping a tight grip on Avery and limiting her movements around the library.

Approaching Avery, Piper recommends a handmade Matrix comic and a book about The Blair Witch Project. Despite initial hesitation, Avery shows interest in the books and shares some humorous observations about the town. A tentative connection forms between them, and Avery appears more relaxed. But the moment is short-lived; Avery's fear resurfaces, and she and Susan rush out of the library.

Curious about what Susan was searching online, Piper checks the computer but finds the browser history cleared. She then reads two comments on her online journal, one asking for updates. This prompts her to write about her concerns regarding Avery and the strange occurrences. Leaving the library, Piper hums a song, her mind preoccupied with the day's unsettling events.

Avery Wallace writes in her diary about a visit from her friend Olivia, noting Olivia's nervous behavior upon entering the house. Olivia’s edginess is evident as she examines the downstairs areas, avoiding eye contact with Avery, clearly aware of the rumors about the haunted house. Despite the tension, Olivia and Avery manage to have a somewhat normal conversation, discussing school, crushes, and the computer club. Olivia asks Avery for the original GIF file of a bunny in black glasses, which she used for projects in the computer club, and for the usernames and passwords to some remote servers. Avery doesn’t have these items and admits she doesn’t understand what Olivia is talking about. Olivia reveals that the club is making a ‘We Miss Avery’ website and shares stories about the fun activities they’ve done without her, including a ghost-hunting trip that ended with a police chase. Olivia’s mother reassures them that the secret is safe with her. The visit brings a brief sense of normalcy to Avery, but as Olivia prepares to leave, her nervousness returns. Olivia’s eyes dart around the room, as if expecting something to jump out. This moment reminds Avery that her life is far from normal, leaving her with a sense of isolation and the weight of her unusual circumstances.

Piper is in the school hallway when she witnesses Shane and his friends bullying Avery and her mother. Despite feeling paralyzed initially, Piper intervenes just in time to prevent Shane from locking Avery in a custodian’s closet. Avery is visibly traumatized, and Piper comforts her until Susan arrives. Following the incident, Piper is summoned to the principal’s office, where she recounts the event. Principal Mr. Christian decides to indefinitely suspend Shane, acknowledging the severity of his actions.

Later, Piper and Fisher visit a local pub, where they encounter Shane’s father, Mr. Brockway. He confronts Fisher about Shane’s suspension, accusing Avery and her mother of witchcraft and occult practices. Piper interjects, defending Avery and recounting her rescue of the girl. Mr. Brockway’s aggressive and irrational behavior alarms Piper, who learns that his views are rooted in deep-seated religious beliefs and rumors spread by his brother. Despite the tense encounter, Piper remains skeptical of the supernatural claims.

After leaving the pub, Piper walks home, reflecting on the day’s events. She hears screams coming from the Brockway residence and, despite her initial hesitation, approaches the house. Inside, she discovers Shane lying at the foot of the stairs, severely injured, and a black, ethereal figure hovering over him. The entity vanishes, leaving Piper horrified and screaming.

Piper sits at her computer, typing a distressed entry into her webjournal. She recounts the shocking events of the previous night, describing how she witnessed the death of Shane and the appearance of a mysterious, ethereal figure. Once a skeptic, Piper now grapples with the reality of what she saw, acknowledging its profound and unsettling nature.

Her entry reflects her struggle to reconcile her past skepticism with the undeniable evidence before her. She draws a troubling connection between Shane’s death and Avery’s tragic history, wondering if the same malevolent force that claimed her sister and father has followed her to the town. Overwhelmed by the implications, Piper contemplates the possibility of escaping the situation by going camping, hoping a change of scenery will help her process the trauma. Her entry concludes with a plea for normalcy, a stark reminder of the intense emotional and psychological toll of recent events.

Piper discusses the recent events with her brother Sam, recounting the details of the haunted house rumors, the bullying, and Shane’s death, including the black mist she witnessed. Sam’s initial skepticism and attempts to rationalize the situation frustrate Piper, who insists she knows what she saw and needs support rather than doubt. Gradually, Sam begins to entertain the idea that the black mist could be connected to Avery’s family, suggesting that Avery’s mother might be controlling a dark spirit to protect her daughter. Piper, though initially skeptical, is intrigued by the theory and considers it a possibility. She asks Sam to help her search online for similar paranormal experiences, hoping to find more information about the black mist.

After the call, Piper logs onto her webjournal and finds new comments from several users, including darksphere and verocity, who encourage her to investigate the haunted house in Grangeville. The comments, while unsettling, offer Piper a sense of validation and support. Motivated by the comments and her own curiosity, Piper decides to search for more information about the Grangeville newspaper office, determined to uncover the truth about the black mist and its connection to Avery’s family.

Still reeling from the lack of concrete evidence, Sam, Piper’s brother, initiates a web scraping session to gather information about the dark mist phenomenon, focusing on the towns of Clover Creek and Grangeville. He runs a script that accesses various paranormal forums and websites, creating new accounts and logging in to extract relevant forum posts. Despite the thorough search, the session yields no results for either location, leaving Sam and Piper without the concrete evidence they sought.

Undeterred by the initial failure, Sam runs a second web scraping session, this time narrowing the search to Grangeville alone. The process is meticulous, involving the same steps of accessing URLs, creating accounts, and extracting posts. However, the outcome is the same: zero results. The absence of any corroborating evidence from these sources adds to the mystery and uncertainty surrounding the dark mist and its connection to Avery’s family.

The chapter underscores the challenges of investigating supernatural phenomena through conventional means, highlighting the limitations of online searches and forums. It also reinforces Piper’s growing belief that the events she has witnessed are part of a larger, more complex issue that may not be easily explained or documented.

Still troubled by the lack of supernatural evidence, Piper updates her webjournal with the latest information she has gathered about Avery’s family. Her brother Sam conducted web scraping sessions to find reports of a ‘black mist’ in Clover Creek and Grangeville but found no results. Undeterred, Piper called the newspaper office in Avery’s hometown, where a reporter provided her with details about the family’s tragic past.

The reporter confirmed that Avery’s sister died from a rapid-onset virus, and the family moved away a few months later. Six months after the move, Avery’s father died in a single-car accident on the highway, with no signs of swerving or avoiding an obstacle. The police speculated that he might have fallen asleep or was distracted by his BlackBerry. The reporter had not heard any rumors about the house being haunted and was unsure if anyone currently lived there.

Piper, still troubled by the lack of supernatural evidence, contemplates driving to Avery’s hometown to investigate further. She believes that visiting the house might provide some answers or vibes that could help her understand the situation better. With no work scheduled for the next day, she plans to make the four-hour drive and check out the house herself.

Avery Wallace's diary entries reveal the deep-seated guilt she harbors over her father's death. She confesses that the guilt is a persistent, burning sensation in her chest, and despite her mother's reassurances, she believes it is her fault. Avery recalls that it was her idea to leave Grangeville, and if they hadn't moved, her father would not have returned to the house alone and met his tragic end. Her thoughts frequently drift back to their old house in Grangeville, haunted by a vague, elusive memory that surfaces periodically, a fragment she cannot fully grasp. This memory intensifies her feeling that something is still present in the house, suggesting that the house continues to exert a powerful influence over her.

Piper visits the house in Grangeville, where Avery and her family once lived, expecting something more ominous but finding a typical suburban home instead. She meets Bill Oakley, the current resident, who is intrigued by her claim that the house is haunted. Piper explains the story of the Wallaces and the rumors surrounding the house, which fascinates Bill, and he allows her to tour the property.

As they walk through the house, Piper looks for signs of supernatural activity but finds none. The house is mostly bare, reflecting Bill’s recent move-in and pending divorce. In the former child’s bedroom, Piper is particularly moved, considering the tragic events that may have transpired there. She checks the closets and other rooms but detects no evil presence.

In the office, Piper notices a wall that appears to have been recently repaired. Bill explains that the wall was damaged with large holes when he moved in, and he had it fixed. This detail piques Piper’s interest, and she wonders if it could be connected to the haunting. Despite finding no definitive evidence, Piper remains intrigued by the wall and the house’s history.

Piper sits down at her computer, still processing the visit to the house in Grangeville. She updates her webjournal with the results of her road trip, noting that the house, contrary to expectations, does not seem to exhibit any overtly supernatural characteristics, except for a beat-up wall in the den. Piper compares the wall damage to similar issues in her college house, emphasizing the mundane nature of the damage and downplaying any supernatural connotations.

Despite the lack of supernatural evidence, Piper acknowledges the disappointment of her followers, who were hoping for more dramatic findings. She reassures them that the house felt weird but not overtly haunted, maintaining a balanced and honest tone in her update. The entry reflects Piper’s growing skepticism and her struggle to reconcile her experiences with the reality she observes.

Piper’s journal entry also includes a mention of the song 'Absolutely (Story of a Girl)' by Nine Days, which she is currently listening to, adding a personal touch to her update and hinting at her emotional state.

Surprised by a visit from Dennis Brockway, Shane's father, early on a Monday morning, Piper feels vulnerable and uneasy in her pajamas and with wet hair. Mr. Brockway, appearing lost and broken, sits on the sofa and discusses the circumstances surrounding Shane’s death, expressing his disbelief and frustration with the official cause of death, a brain aneurysm. He shares his suspicions about the condition of Shane’s computer, which was found fried and damaged, and questions whether it could be related to Shane’s death. Mr. Brockway pleads with Piper to recall any additional details about the night Shane died, but Piper, fearing his potential for violence, sticks to her original account and omits the crucial detail of the black mist she witnessed. Despite her internal conflict, she remains silent, not wanting to risk his wrath or the safety of others. After a tense and emotionally charged conversation, Mr. Brockway leaves, scratching Ripley’s chin one last time. Once he is gone, Piper breaks down in tears, overwhelmed by the weight of her decision to withhold the truth. She is left to wonder if she has made the right choice and if she will regret not sharing the full story with Shane’s father.

Piper's anticipation of a police visit to the library following Shane's death gradually fades as she realizes it's unlikely. Reflecting on the lack of supernatural evidence at the Wallace house and the disappointed reactions to her webjournal update, Piper's unease grows over the black mist she witnessed, especially with the official cause of Shane's death being a brain aneurysm. She wonders if she is imagining things and fears her brother's reaction if he finds out.

At the library, a stilted, mournful atmosphere hangs in the air, likely due to Shane's death. Piper is surprised when Avery and Susan arrive, requesting a private meeting. Susan thanks Piper for her intervention in the hallway incident, and Avery reluctantly expresses gratitude. Piper learns about the challenges the Wallaces have faced in Clover Creek and warns Susan about Mr. Brockway potentially contacting them.

During a tutoring session, Piper observes Avery's odd behavior, including whispering to herself and a sudden outburst when asked about her computer usage. Avery becomes agitated and requests to leave, and Susan pays Piper despite her refusal. Piper is left wondering what triggered Avery's reaction and feels a deeper sense of responsibility towards the girl.

Piper's morning is spent watching old episodes of Felicity on VHS, a nostalgic escape from her growing unease. As she logs onto AOL before her shift at the library, she reflects on her college days, a stark contrast to the current tension in her life. Her webjournal entries reveal a mounting paranoia, detailing a moment of panic when she thought she saw something behind her in the mirror—only to realize it was a jacket hanging on the door. Despite the false alarm, the incident underscores her heightened anxiety following the sighting of the black mist and Shane’s death.

Piper finds comfort in the routine of her landlady, who consistently turns on a lamp at 8:00 PM and reads for exactly thirty minutes before turning it off. However, the landlady is going out of town the next day, and Piper will miss the familiar pattern. Later, she forwards a chain email to ten people, half-jokingly acknowledging the absurdity of such messages but feeling compelled to follow through to avoid bad luck.

A peculiar incident further adds to her unease: she notices a stack of mail has moved from the end table to the kitchen counter while she was out walking her dog. Debating whether she might have moved it herself without remembering, the event deepens her sense of disquiet. A phone call with her brother, who urges her to inform her mother about witnessing a dead body, leads Piper to send an email that remains unanswered.

Piper spends a lazy morning watching old episodes of Felicity on VHS, reminiscing about her college days. Before her shift at the library, she logs on to AOL and finds an unexpected email from Susan Wallace, thanking her for the tutoring session and sharing a new story written by Avery. Titled 'The Wall,' the story describes a terrifying encounter with an entity emerging from a wall, deeply unsettling Piper.

At the library, Piper overhears a conversation between two middle school boys discussing Shane's death, claiming that a virus sent by Avery caused Shane's fatal brain aneurysm. Confused by the connection between Avery and Shane's death, Piper decides to blog about her experiences and the theories she's heard, which sparks a flurry of comments from her readers, including a theory that the stories are cursed and can summon a black mist.

Piper attends Shane's wake, where she speaks with Mr. Fisher about the rumors and Avery's computer restrictions. Fisher reveals that Avery's mother forbade her from using computers, adding to the mystery. After the viewing, Fisher looks shaken and tells Piper that Mr. Brockway whispered a menacing threat to him, saying, 'I know what she did.'

Back at home, Piper emails her brother Sam, asking if a computer virus can kill someone, seeking his expertise in technology. Overwhelmed and drained by the complexity of the situation, she hopes for some clarity amidst the chaos.

Piper updates her webjournal, reassuring her followers that she is still alive and not haunted by the black mist. Despite the tranquility of her outdoor activities and the comforting presence of Ripley, the stress and mystery surrounding Avery and the recent events linger. She continues to tutor Avery daily, noting the girl's remarkable intelligence and creativity, often seen in her diary entries and doodles.

Piper spends a peaceful evening camping, savoring the solitude and natural beauty of the wilderness. The repetitive tasks of camping help her momentarily forget the stresses and mysteries of the past few weeks. However, the tranquility is abruptly shattered by rustling and twig-snapping noises outside her tent, startling her awake. Initially, she considers the possibilities of encountering a moose or a bear, but Ripley’s lack of reaction leaves her questioning the reality of the sounds.

Piper’s mind races with fears of the black mist and the possibility of Mr. Brockway seeking revenge. Despite her attempts to reason with herself, the silence outside the tent only heightens her anxiety. She decides to leave the campsite, waking Ripley and paddling to the center of the lake. There, she contemplates the source of her fears, wondering if they are all in her head and if she is losing her grip on reality.

Reflecting on her involvement with Avery and the blog, Piper realizes that her actions and fixation on the supernatural narrative mirror the rumor-spreading behavior of middle school students. Feeling her grip on reality slipping, she reaches out to Ripley for comfort, vowing to get herself back on track. She wishes she had never become involved with the scary story contest and the Wallace family, recognizing that her obsession has taken a toll on her mental health.

In her diary, Avery Wallace recounts a vivid and terrifying dream from the previous night. Set in a cornfield in Grangeville, the dream involves a game of hide-and-seek with a group of familiar yet unidentifiable friends. As Avery counts down the thirty seconds, her panic grows, and the dense cornfield makes it impossible to find anyone. The suffocating feeling intensifies, causing her to wake up coughing and spitting.

Her mother comforts her after the nightmare, suggesting that the dream is a manifestation of her fears. When asked about the identities of her friends in the cornfield, Avery can only describe them and eventually recognizes one as Olivia, a friend she struggles to remember. The dream underscores Avery’s growing difficulty in recalling her past, including her sister Charlotte and father, which deepens her sense of loss and frustration. Avery expresses her deep dissatisfaction and fear about her current situation, wondering what else could go wrong for her.

Piper creates a playlist to help her cope with the recent events, naming it Piper’s Just Get Over It Mix. She listens to it repeatedly during her Sunday shift at the library, hoping to move on from her fixation on the supernatural and Avery’s story. Despite her efforts, Piper is still deeply affected by the previous night’s camping experience and the unsettling atmosphere at the library.

The next day, Piper returns to Mr. Fisher’s class to award Avery for her winning scary story. The classroom is filled with a somber and tense energy, with students whispering about Halloween costumes. Piper notices Shane’s empty desk, which adds to the ominous feeling. As Fisher wraps up his lesson, a student named Eddie raises a concern about Avery, who is muttering to herself in a more focused and agitated manner than usual.

The situation escalates rapidly as other students notice Avery’s behavior and become frightened. They start to clear out of the area, and chaos ensues. Avery’s chanting of ‘filth, disease, death’ grows louder and more menacing, causing most students to flee the room. Piper, Fisher, and Susan are left to deal with Avery, who is in a trance-like state. Fisher attempts to call for help, but the emergency system fails. Avery’s eyes lock onto Piper, and she senses an overwhelming evil presence. Avery throws a book at the wall, and Piper, overwhelmed by the intensity of the situation, finally runs out of the classroom.

That evening, Piper takes Ripley for an unusually long walk, venturing deeper into the forest and contemplating her decision to leave Clover Creek. She reflects on the series of terrifying events she has experienced, from discovering a dead body to witnessing a demonic outburst in a middle school classroom. The weight of these experiences convinces her that staying in Clover Creek is no longer tenable, and she decides to pack and leave, considering destinations like Idaho or Banff.

Upon returning to her apartment, Piper discovers a message from Mr. Fisher’s wife, Carol, urgently requesting her to come to their house because something has happened to Fisher. Despite her initial plans to leave, Piper rushes to the Fisher residence, where she finds Fisher in a disoriented and distressed state. Carol explains that Fisher had a severe reaction while researching at the library, specifically after using a computer to search for the origin of the phrase 'it smelled of filth, it smelled of disease, and it smelled of death,' which Avery had chanted in class.

Fisher recounts his attempt to research the phrase, feeling a strong familiarity with it. He eventually used the library’s computer, which led to a terrifying episode where he hid under a table, screaming that something was with him and that he was going to die. Carol reveals that Fisher’s memory is blank from the moment he started using the computer, and he repeatedly begged her not to leave him alone, fearing that something would kill him. Piper is immediately reminded of the black mist she witnessed, realizing that it might be connected to Fisher’s breakdown.

Driven by the need to understand Fisher's terrifying experience, Piper heads to the library to investigate the computer he used. She disconnects the computer and removes the hard drive, placing it in her purse to prevent anyone else from using it. Meanwhile, Sam, a tech-savvy friend, initiates a new web scraping session to search for information about a killer computer virus, death, unknown sources, and downloaded files. The session is meticulously planned, with Sam accessing various technology forums and creating new accounts to extract relevant forum posts. Despite the thorough approach, the session yields no results, with 0 matches found after 57 attempts across 112 technology forum websites and 38 search parameter combinations. Frustrated, Sam considers alternative methods to uncover the truth.

Piper heads to the library to investigate the computer Fisher used, driven by the need to understand the terrifying experience he had. She disconnects the computer and removes the hard drive, placing it in her purse to prevent anyone else from using it. Determined to find answers, Piper then sets off for the Wallaces' cabin, hoping to learn more from Susan and Avery.

Upon arriving at the cabin, Piper is greeted by an eerie atmosphere, with flickering lights and a hand-shaped tree in the yard. Inside, the cabin is dimly lit by sage candles, and the walls of the bathroom and bedroom have been torn down, giving the place a chaotic appearance. Susan, visibly worried, invites Piper in and confirms that Mr. Fisher’s condition is linked to something they know.

With a sense of urgency, Piper presses Susan to reveal everything. The chapter ends with Piper ready to hear Susan’s story, the tension palpable as the truth begins to unfold.

Susan Wallace's voice trembles as she recounts the tragic events of September 25, 1999, the day that shattered the Wallace family. It began as a routine Saturday, with the family enjoying their 'Brunch and a Show' tradition and Richard and Susan heading out for a long-overdue date night. Upon their return, they found Avery waiting for them, visibly distressed and unable to explain what had happened to her sister, Charlotte, who was found dead shortly after. The doctors ruled Charlotte’s death as bacterial meningitis, but Avery insisted it was the work of an evil entity that had been following her.

In the weeks that followed, Avery’s condition worsened. She became increasingly paranoid, believing an invisible entity was constantly watching her and waiting to kill her. She refused to be alone and withdrew from her usual activities, including using computers. Despite numerous medical and psychological evaluations, no explanation was found for Avery’s condition. The family even tried a religious intervention, which Avery found distressing, leading Susan to decide they needed a fresh start elsewhere.

Six months after Charlotte’s death, the Wallaces relocated to a small town in Wisconsin, hoping for a new beginning. Initially, Avery’s spirits lifted, and she seemed to be improving. However, one night, Avery secretly accessed a hidden laptop and sent an email to Richard, attaching a file named COOLGAME.exe. When Susan discovered this, she called Richard, but their conversation was cut short by a terrifying incident. Richard, while driving, experienced a similar presence, leading to a fatal car crash. The BlackBerry he was using displayed the same file, confirming Avery’s fears.

In the dimly lit cabin, Susan Wallace's voice trembles as she recounts the harrowing story of the computer virus that has haunted her family for over a year. She explains that the virus, with a supernatural element, was initially contracted by her daughters, Charlotte and Avery, through a file named COOLGAME.exe. The virus causes the infected to feel an overwhelming presence of evil and an inability to be alone, leading to death if left alone for thirty seconds. Susan believes that the virus killed Charlotte and later her husband, Richard, through a similar mechanism. She describes Avery's deteriorating condition, including memory loss, increased paranoia, and a compulsion to spread the virus through computers. Piper, holding the hard drive from the library computer, listens intently, suspecting it might contain the virus.

In the tense atmosphere of the cabin, Piper and Susan watch over Avery, who is in a deeply distressed state, moaning and whispering incomprehensibly. Susan, visibly desperate, pleads with Piper for help, but Piper is paralyzed with fear and uncertainty. As they listen intently, Avery’s mutterings gradually become clearer, revealing that she is speaking in Spanish, uttering phrases like 'cabeza hermosa' (beautiful head). Avery suddenly sits up and walks toward Susan, repeating the phrase with increasing intensity. Her voice grows louder, and she starts thrashing, leading to a tragic accident where Susan’s neck collides with a jagged two-by-four.

Still reeling from the disturbing events at the cabin, Piper writes a distressing entry on her webjournal. She details how Susan, while trying to help Avery, fell onto a jagged piece of wood, sustaining severe internal injuries. Despite the doctor's hopeful prognosis, Piper remains uncertain about Susan’s recovery. Avery, who has no memory of the incident, is in a state of shock and numbness, deeply aware that her actions have put her mother in the hospital. Overwhelmed by guilt and responsibility, Piper takes Avery to her apartment, ensuring the girl stays within her sight at all times, even tying their wrists together with a handkerchief to prevent Avery from wandering off alone. Despite the eerie atmosphere, they engage in a relatively normal conversation about Avery’s mixtapes, providing a moment of respite from the mounting tension.

Still reeling from the trauma of Susan’s accident, Piper and Avery spend a tense evening at Piper's apartment. Avery, in a state of shock and numbness, is closely monitored by Piper, who ties their wrists together with a handkerchief to prevent Avery from wandering off alone. Despite the eerie atmosphere, they engage in a relatively normal conversation about Avery’s mixtapes, providing a moment of respite from the mounting tension.

As night falls, Piper and Avery discuss the rules for staying safe while sleeping. Avery insists she cannot be alone and must remain within Piper’s potential line of sight. They decide to sleep in the same bed to ensure safety. However, during the night, Avery begins to sleepwalk, leading Piper on a disorienting journey through the apartment. Piper follows Avery, trying to avoid triggering an episode, but Avery eventually picks up a pair of shears, putting both of them in danger. Piper manages to calm Avery down, but the child’s state remains precarious, leaving Piper with a deep sense of dread about the future.

The chapter ends with Piper reflecting on the dire situation, feeling a mix of terror and sadness as she realizes that Avery’s condition is worsening. She binds their wrists together again, determined to prevent Avery from wandering off and potentially dying. Piper lies down next to Avery, knowing that she won’t be getting any more sleep that night, as the weight of her responsibility bears down on her.

Near dawn, Sam arrives at Piper's apartment, bringing a sense of relief and renewed hope. Piper recounts the Wallace family saga to Sam, explaining the virus that has plagued Avery and her family. Sam remains skeptical, questioning the virus's existence and the events surrounding Richard's death. Despite his doubts, he shows Piper the results of his extensive web scraping, which yielded no evidence of a killer computer virus.

Piper suggests that Avery might have created the virus herself, given her background in computer club and her interest in spooky and occult topics. Sam dismisses this idea, suggesting that Avery's behavior might be the result of a mental breakdown from excessive exposure to supernatural content online. Piper, frustrated by Sam's skepticism, argues that the virus is real and that she has experienced its effects firsthand. She pleads with Sam to believe her and to help her find a solution for Avery.

Sam agrees to help Piper, suggesting they log into Avery's email to retrieve the virus file. He explains that he can examine the code without launching the virus, which might provide insights into its origins and functionality. Piper, though hesitant, agrees to the plan, recognizing that it could be a crucial step in helping Avery. The chapter ends with Piper and Sam preparing to wake Avery gently to obtain the necessary login information.

Still reeling from the previous night's events, Piper and Sam work together to address the crisis involving Avery, who is still sleeping soundly. Desperate for a solution, Piper decides to post a detailed update on her webjournal, sharing the most critical aspects of Avery's condition and the virus, including the rules of its existence and the likelihood that Avery had sent the virus to two people. She also describes the terrifying events of the previous night and requests urgent suggestions from her readers on how to proceed.

The comments flood in, offering a wide range of suggestions, from performing an exorcism to researching connections with the Willowbrook institution. Some commenters propose extreme measures, such as isolating Avery and using holy water or fire, which Piper quickly dismisses. A commenter named Jackflash72 suggests treating Avery like a computer infected with a virus, proposing the use of antivirus software to clean her out. This idea resonates with Piper and Sam, despite the impracticality of applying computer solutions to a human.

As they debate the feasibility of a 'tech-orcism,' Piper logs out of AOL, and Avery begins to stir. The chapter ends with the tension building as Avery wakes up, and Piper and Sam prepare to face the next challenge.

Piper and Sam stand over Avery, who begins to stir, her condition a looming threat. Desperate for a solution, Piper draws parallels between the virus in a computer and the one infecting Avery, asking Sam for advice on how to remove it. Sam, though skeptical, suggests that writing stories might help Avery purge the virus, as it had seemed to help in the past.

Deciding to try a hypnotic approach, Sam guides Avery to imagine removing the virus from her body. Initially, the method appears to be working; Avery's trembling subsides, and she seems to respond positively. However, the progress is short-lived. Suddenly, Avery attacks, narrowly missing Sam's face. The attempt fails, leaving Piper and Sam in a state of defeat and uncertainty.

Still determined to find a solution, Piper asks Sam about the human equivalent of a computer's recovery disk. Sam suggests that a complete reset might be necessary, akin to restoring a computer to its factory settings. Despite the potential risks, Piper considers this as a last resort and wonders if Avery might be willing to share her email password, which could hold the key to further insights.

Still reeling from the failed hypnotic attempt, Piper locks the door to her apartment, feeling a mix of nervousness and determination. Sam guides Avery to the computer chair, while Ripley, Piper's dog, hides under the kitchen table, clearly disturbed by Avery's presence. Avery is now calm, giggling and mumbling in multiple languages—English, Spanish, French, and Arabic, among others. Piper wonders about the source of these words and the connections to the mysterious elements like Willowbrook and the Revelator.

Sam and Piper decide to show Avery her email account, hoping it might serve as a form of 'system restore' for her. Sam asks Avery to remember her email account, but she remains unresponsive. Piper and Sam debate whether to let Avery use the keyboard and mouse, fearing she might send the virus. Eventually, they allow her to try, but she smacks the keys randomly and shows no coherent response. As Sam opens various email websites, Avery's condition worsens, with droopy eyelids and a slack jaw.

Realizing the gravity of the situation, Piper suggests using music to 'reboot' Avery. She launches Napster and plays various songs, hoping one might trigger a positive response. Initially, there is a glimmer of recognition, and Avery's lips quiver. However, her expression soon turns menacing, and she whispers, 'You shouldn’t be here,' echoing her previous threat. The tension escalates as Piper and Sam are interrupted by the sound of an ax breaking through the door, revealing Mr. Brockway's presence.

Still reeling from Avery's deteriorating condition, Piper, Sam, and Avery are suddenly interrupted by the violent intrusion of Dennis Brockway. Armed with an ax, a rifle, and a gas can, Brockway is intent on avenging Shane’s death. He accuses Piper of lying about the events leading to Shane’s death and protecting Avery, whom he believes is responsible. Brockway’s rage is fueled by the comments on Piper’s webjournal, which suggested using fire to destroy the evil entity. Despite their fear, Piper and Sam attempt to reason with Brockway, explaining the nature of the virus and the black mist, but his agitation only grows as the twenty-minute mark approaches.

Still reeling from Dennis Brockway’s violent intrusion, Piper, Sam, and Avery are trapped in Piper’s apartment, bracing for the worst. Brockway, visibly affected by the virus he saw on the computer screen, paces nervously with his rifle, sweating profusely. Piper and Sam, huddled on the couch, watch Avery closely as she begins to show signs of recovery, her clarity and coherence returning.

As the tension mounts, Brockway becomes increasingly agitated, sensing an unseen presence in the room. Piper and Sam share a look of mutual fear, their primary concern being the unstable man with a gun. Seizing a moment of distraction, they dash to the bathroom and lock the door, hoping to avoid Brockway’s wrath. Outside, Brockway begins to pour gasoline, determined to burn the apartment and the entity.

Sam tries to open the bathroom window, but it is stuck. Just as they consider their options, a gunshot rings out, and the door partially explodes, revealing that Brockway has shot Sam in the shoulder. In the chaos, they realize Brockway is dead, and the apartment is engulfed in flames. They quickly flee, carrying Sam down the stairs, but Piper remembers that Ripley is still inside. Driven by urgency, she rushes back into the burning apartment to rescue her dog.

Piper finds Ripley cowering under the kitchen table and carries him out, feeling the presence of the entity as she runs. Once outside, she rejoins Sam and Avery, and they all head to safety, aware of the looming threat and the need to seek medical help for Sam.

In the hospital, Piper, Sam, and Avery reflect on Avery’s miraculous recovery from the virus. Sam’s injury is minor, and he is in a recovery room, while Susan remains in the ICU. Avery has no memory of infecting Brockway and describes her recovery as waking from a dream. Piper, however, is harboring a secret—she now feels the presence of the evil entity that had been with Avery, but she hasn’t told Sam or Avery yet. She decides to focus on the positive and let Avery enjoy her freedom. Later, as Piper falls asleep in the chair, she wakes up to darkness and finds Avery’s knapsack, realizing the hard drive from the library is still inside.

Piper receives a call from Carol Fisher, who informs her that Glen is severely deteriorating and is staying with a doctor friend. Piper convinces Carol to drive to the hospital to pick her up, planning to retrieve the hard drive and check on Fisher. At the library, they find Fisher’s body and a broken window. Piper and Avery encounter Bill Oakley, who explains that he and a man named Frank brought Fisher to the library to show them the virus. Frank opened the virus on his laptop, and the entity killed him. Determined to destroy the virus, Avery smashes the laptop and hard drive.

Late at night, Piper and Avery return to the hospital to visit Susan in the ICU. Susan, heavily bandaged and connected to machines, shows relief and love on her face as Avery gently speaks to her and holds her hand. They have just finished explaining the events to the police, who remain skeptical about the killer computer virus.

Piper asks a police officer about her computer tower from the burned apartment, curious if it survived. The officer confirms that both the monitor and the tower were scorched, which pleases Piper, as she wanted to ensure the virus was destroyed. She reflects on the supernatural nature of the virus and the need to eliminate any trace of it. Piper also considers the legal implications for Bill Oakley, but doubts any serious consequences will arise, given the natural explanations that will likely be provided for the deaths of Fisher and Frank.

Piper notices a group of ghost-hunting enthusiasts in the hospital lobby and avoids them, hoping the police will remove them. Avery hands Piper a sheet of paper with her email username and password, asking Piper to delete the remaining virus. Avery expresses her desire to move on from the supernatural events, and Piper promises to help. She hugs Avery, apologizing for the blog and the chaos it caused. Avery reassures Piper, acknowledging the impossibility of believing such a story.

Piper, now acutely aware of the entity attached to her, knows she cannot be alone. She plans to stay close to a nurse or doctor while making her way to Sam’s room. She intends to attach herself to Sam’s side, pick up Ripley from the police station, and leave Clover Creek as soon as possible.

Piper and Sam have fled Clover Creek and are now in Sam’s apartment in Des Moines. Piper, who drove the entire way, managed to salvage only a few items from her scorched apartment, including her purse, Ripley’s chew toys, and Sam’s laptop. Despite his injured shoulder, Sam is working on the computer, examining the virus code from Avery’s email. Piper, still feeling the presence of the entity, is wary of the virus on the screen and questions Sam’s actions.

Sam explains that he is merely viewing the virus code, not running the virus itself, comparing it to looking at the ingredients of a recipe. He assures Piper that he is not infected and shares his findings about the virus’s complexity and the possibility that it is not entirely man-made. Piper, though skeptical, is intrigued by Sam’s discoveries and asks him to explain more. Sam reveals that he has uncovered the man-made part of the code, which provides insights into the virus’s mechanisms, including the thirty-second countdown and the urge to spread the virus.

Piper is astonished by Sam’s revelations and the depth of his analysis. She feels a sense of relief and curiosity, but also a lingering fear of the entity that is now attached to her. The chapter ends with Piper and Sam discussing the implications of Sam’s findings, setting the stage for further investigation and potential solutions.

Alone at home, Avery is determined to create a prank program called COOLGAME.exe. Using her school laptop, she codes a sequence that will display a black mist ghost, a countdown, and unsettling messages to scare her friends. Despite her enthusiasm, Avery, a novice coder, faces multiple failures. Seeking to enhance the program, she turns to a foreboding website she and her sister, Charlotte, had discovered earlier. The site is filled with dark spells, incantations, and disturbing videos. Avery copies text from sections like 'Summoning Shadows,' 'Mind Decay,' and 'Malevolent Propagation,' and pastes it into her code. She also adds random HTML scripts from the site’s source code, hoping to make the program even more unsettling. However, after pasting the scripts, Avery’s code-writing software begins to glitch, generating thousands of new lines of code on its own. The rapid influx of code terrifies her, and she considers shutting down the computer. Just as she is about to do so, the code stops, and a new file, COOLGAME.exe, appears on her desktop. Curious and relieved, Avery backs up the file to a remote server and considers opening it, but first, she goes to get her sister.

Piper and Sam delve deeper into the virus code, uncovering that Avery initially created it as a prank. The code incorporates elements from an occult website, specifically sections like 'Summoning Shadows,' 'Mind Decay,' and 'Propagation.' These elements seem to have imbued the virus with supernatural properties. Piper is astonished to learn that the cure was embedded within the virus all along, explaining why Avery eventually recovered after a year of suffering. Sam demonstrates embedded videos in the virus code, linking to dark and disturbing content. As they discuss the implications, Piper reflects on how the virus has affected her, now that she is infected.

Anders reflects on his conversation with Piper, still haunted by the signs of her ongoing struggle with the entity. Despite the passage of time, the entity remains with her, and she has not been alone for twenty-five years. During a meal hosted by Piper and Robbie, the conversation delved into the nature of the virus and the efforts to combat it. Sam’s analysis revealed that the virus was evolving, making it even more dangerous and unpredictable.

Piper and Sam ultimately decided to destroy the virus file, recognizing the risks it posed. Piper expressed relief that the virus never spread further, and she has accepted her condition as a form of penance for her past actions. Intrigued by the parallels between the virus and modern artificial intelligence, Anders saw the relevance of Piper’s story in today’s world. Piper agreed to let Anders share the story, hoping it might help prepare the world for similar threats.

Driven by a deep curiosity, Anders visited the Wallaces’ old house in Grangeville. There, he discovered an old laptop hidden behind a wall in Avery’s former bedroom. The laptop contained the COOLGAME.exe file, and despite his skepticism, Anders opened it with his sister Grace. The file displayed a mesmerizing, dark mosaic that seemed to infect both Anders and Grace, instilling in them a compulsion to spread the virus.

Under the virus’s influence, Anders and Grace began sending the file to friends, family, and even their entire school communities. The virus’s evolution made it more potent, and the urge to spread it grew stronger. Feeling the entity’s presence, Anders contacted Robbie, who recognized the file’s significance.