had no idea what that was), and it turned out he tried to get someone to call the police to send a SWAT team to my apartment building.
What the holy fuck.
There were pages and pages of sickening posts from the last few hours. My chest constricted, like a larger, stronger person had bear-hugged me and refused to let go. With each inhale it became harder and harder to take in oxygen.
My sobs caught me off guard, like I was having an out-of-body experience. Why would someone target me like this? Why did I even matter to anyone? Kat jumped out of her chair and grabbed my shoulders. She looked me in the eyes. “Okay, Melody. Just breathe slowly. Inhale. Exhale.”
I did as she instructed and showed her my phone. “My god, Melody, we’re leaving and going to the police. NOW.”
Before we left the building she wrapped my scarf around my head and made me wear some neon-pink promotional sunglasses I’d picked up from GameCon. If the goal was to not draw attention to myself, we had failed.
We sped through the workstation maze. “Keep your head down, Melody. We don’t know who the mole is.” Kat guided me past the kitchen, copy room, and mailroom. We went down seven flights of stairs and ended up at the parking garage. I had no idea that back stairwell existed.
She started the ignition to her Subaru. “That used to be my escape route when I needed to make pediatrician appointments, or pump in my car. You’ll understand one day if you have kids.”
As we hightailed it to the police station, Jane messaged me.
I’m freaking the fuck out. My wedding planner just quit! She said I stressed her out. I can’t believe she’d say that to me. It’s my wedding! Of course I’m stressed! Can you meet today, I need to vent. I can stop by your office if you’re around. And just emailed you what I’d like you to do for my bachelorette party.
And one from my mom: You dating anyone yet? Your umma and appa are old. We want grandchilds.
And another from Jane, ten minutes later: Hey, I just stopped by your office. The receptionist (Kendra?) said you went to the POLICE?! Holy shit, this must be bad! Don’t worry about the bachelorette party email, but just note that we should be RSVPing places by this weekend <3
Kat dropped me off in front of the precinct while she found parking. I walked in through the door and didn’t expect to see a modern-looking, IKEA-esque office interior. Maybe I’d watched too many crime shows on television, but I sort of envisioned a front desk behind bulletproof glass, and then jail cells somewhere in the back, with a bunch of imprisoned people clamoring for their lawyers or their one phone call. This place didn’t look like that. Instead, this police station looked like it might have a legit Starbucks coffee machine.
The officer sitting in the front barely looked up at me. “Um, hi? I wanted to speak to someone about a harassment complaint.”
“Name?” she asked with a yawn not politely covered by her hand. I stared at her badge. Officer Greeley.
She henpecked the keys with her two index fingers. “It says here that someone has already filed a harassment complaint on your behalf. A lawyer from Seventeen Studios. This investigation opened a few weeks ago. If you show me your ID I can print this out for you.”
She printed out over fifty pages and handed me the stack. Kat came up to me, panting hard. “I had to park a long way down. And I thought it would be a good idea to run back here. I’m sweaty. Sorry.”
She looked over my shoulder and we skimmed the police report document together. A few sections stood out to me:
BlueBaller42 interview: Traced IP address. BB42 admitted he sent threatening emails to the work email address listed on BetaGank website but he does not actually own a sawed-off shotgun. Jamie Frazier (alias BlueBaller42) understood it was a federal crime to send messages like these and will never do it again.
SamuraiStud: Active tweeterer (sp?). Made death threats from his grandma’s IP address. Just turned 18, and out of our local jurisdiction.
NoHmburgrH8rs: Heard about victim on BetaGank and 4chan. Could not recall specific comment he made about killing anyone named “Melody” but believed his comments were jokes. The post has since been deleted.