We’ll Meet Again Someday

Riana laughed. She was having another one of those ridiculous, pointless, and even funny online arguments with SoIn2U. “So you’re saying I’m wrong and selfish and insensitive and all those horrible things for being honest with both myself and with Audra?” asked a chuckling Riana. “I’m saying you should think about all you were foolish enough to give up,” came SoIn2U’s response. “You had a free house, free food, and someone who loves you that you said you were attracted to and cared for at least somewhat. Now you’ll have to work at some point because your money will eventually run out.” “It will be years before it does, and I’d like to think I can win big again in the meantime. I also believe I’ll find my Miss Right and that she and I will pool our resources together.” “Keep dreaming, you crazy bitch!” Riana quit laughing, blinked, and sat back in her chair. “You know what? I think I’ve had more than enough of you. Go pester someone else.” Riana expected a slew of apologies to come flying across the screen next. Instead, she simply got: We’ll meet again someday. “Yeah, I know,” Riana muttered to herself. “Under a new screen name, perhaps.” She stood up a moment later and stretched her arms overhead. She then slowly walked through her beautiful new house, still unable to believe it was hers. All hers! She looked out the living room window. Instead of seeing other houses, vehicles, and pedestrians, she saw nothing but nature, with mountains way in the distance. Choosing which piece of property to buy had been a fun yet tough decision. In the end, she decided that while the other lot had been bigger, and while this house was a bit too big, it was better to have too much space than too little, and nothing was ever too new for her either. Riana loved modern homes with new carpets and fresh paint. She had all the modern appliances she could ever want and plenty of space for her new pet rats to run around. The other lot had been bigger, but the old trailer was in such horrible shape that she couldn’t see herself living in it for even a short time. Its sagging porch, peeling paint, leaky pipes, and tilted floors begged to remain unoccupied so it could all continue to rot in peace. She loved how her neighbors weren’t close enough to make her feel claustrophobic, yet not too far in case of an emergency. She could run to the nearest one in under two minutes. It was now over one hundred degrees outside. Perfect for an afternoon swim in the pool, which had become part of a fun workout routine for her. She went into the master suite and donned her new multicolored bikini. She had lost so much weight that her old one-pieces no longer fit. Not that she needed a suit of any kind with all the privacy she had, but she never knew when she might receive a package or a visitor. Therefore, she saved the skinny-dipping for the night. She emerged from the bedroom, well-muscled body in her colorful new suit, a towel under her arm. As she went to cross the living room, she noticed a small envelope had been slipped through the mail slot in the door. A shadowy figure retreated from the other side of the door’s stained-glass window. Riana looked through the pink floral design as it disappeared altogether, assuming that the mail had come earlier than usual. She stooped down to pick up the envelope. A chill ran down her spine. The plain white envelope held a small piece of paper that read: WE’LL MEET AGAIN SOMEDAY. Riana stared at the block letters printed on the paper. SoIn2U. Audra. SoIn2U. Audra. The thought of them being the same made her want to throw up. She dropped the envelope and her towel and flung open the front door. She saw no one. Not even the slightest breeze was present. It was as if the world were frozen in time. She shut the door and double-locked it. Was it possible? Could SoIn2U really be Audra? And if so, how had she found her online journal? Had Audra been more computer knowledgeable than she’d given her credit for? Had she known to check her online history when she wasn’t around? Or had Riana been stupid enough to leave the journal site open when she wasn’t home for it to be discovered? It had to be, Riana decided. It was the only way Audra could have known her plans and whereabouts. It angered her to think that Audra knew everything she’d been thinking and feeling about her, including her suspicions about her being a killer. And then winning the money, buying the house, and all kinds of other things. No sense in setting her journal private now, she realized. Besides, she wasn’t going to run and hide or be afraid of this lunatic in any way. She would document everything that happened and disable comments. She wasn’t there for an audience or advice anyway. But Riana found that to be easier said than done as she tried to carry on with life as usual over the upcoming days. She was constantly getting up to look out the windows and would jump at the slightest of sounds. When the weeks turned into months, Riana began to relax and assume that Audra had gotten over her. She would never know if she had really been the one to kill her husband and her daughter, but she knew she was glad to have the creepy apartment manager turned policewoman out of her life, regardless of how attractive she may be. Life went on, and Riana continued to win regularly. And yes, she did win big again—big enough to know she’d never have to work a regular job, whether or not she remained single all her life, something that didn’t seem likely. She had hit it off with one of the waitresses at a restaurant she frequented, which served up some rather incredible seafood and Chinese cuisine. “Can I get you anything else, hun?” Riana turned to look up at the tall, slender waitress, admiring her deep brown eyes and long, shiny black hair. “No, I’m all set for now, Mei Li. Thanks.” “So, what are you doing this weekend?” asked Mei Li. “Not much. Just hoping you’d like to come over and go for a swim with me.” Mei Li’s eyes lit up as she smiled. “I’d love to.” After leaving Mei Li a generous tip, Riana rode her bike home. She pedaled quickly, determined to beat the waning sun. It was almost dark by the time she locked the gate behind her and left her bike at the side of the house. She was careful to watch and listen for rattlesnakes as she moved about. Still warm from the heat, she undressed and stood over one of the floor vents for a few minutes to let the cool air flow up her body. Next, she went into her bedroom and threw on her fuchsia silk robe. Then she headed into her office to check her email. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw someone pass by the open door! Her mind told her to charge out of the room and go after the person, but her body froze instead, mouth hanging open in a silent scream. She knew it was Audra and not just some random burglar. She rose from her chair on shaky legs and slowly approached the door. She peered in the direction she had gone. The master bedroom. Heart pounding painfully in her chest, Riana slowly made her way toward the bedroom as silently as she could. She was unable to see into the darkened room. With quick, fluid movements, she reached in and flicked on the light. Audra was sprawled suggestively across her bed. “I told you we’d meet again someday.” She smiled wickedly. “I thought that since you took it upon yourself to snoop around in my house, I could do the same in yours. Come here. I have a surprise for you.” “So do I,” Riana said in a voice much calmer than she’d have anticipated. “You do? What’s that?” Audra asked with mock curiosity. “This,” said Riana, slowly pulling the gun from the pocket of her robe. Audra barely had time to realize what hit her as Riana pulled the trigger. The loud pop was deafening, the blood splatter disgusting. Oh well, she told herself. There’s nothing like a fresh coat of paint.