Sweetly Toxic

Synopsis:   An unknown poisoner only known as ‘The White Glove’ strikes every Valentine’s Day without fail, striking all the men who ever did her wrong.    The last straw is when she sends strychnine candy to her former employer, so he sends a PI to find out who she really is.   When he discovers it’s ‘quiet Becky’ who is shy, demure and a chemistry nerd the puzzle pieces begin to fit together, so he decides to make amends with ‘Batty Becky’ himself.   

Chapter 1—Death by Chocolate 

Rebecca Walters had never really experienced a long-term relationship.   She was always awkward, perhaps a bit loud and obnoxious without ever really meaning to be.   She had allowed Hollywood to dictate how she needed to act when dating and Hollywood had consistently been incorrect in its assessment of human attraction or what a stable relationship looked like in reality.    Oftentimes, Becky would retreat into the world of chemistry.   This was a place where she felt understood and safe, unjudged, and insulated against all sorts of mockery.   Her job at the candy factory made it simple to remain insular.    

The worst day of the year was fast approaching and the only matter that brought Rebecca any pleasure was sending out toxic candy boxes to her exes.   These boxes also went to any man who had ever done her wrong.    She handled each piece with a white glove and even closed the boxes with her hands clad so no fingerprints remained.    She had become known as ‘The White Glove’ even though no one could pinpoint her as a murderer.    She was too quiet, too adorable, too unassuming.    She didn’t carry herself the way a psychopath would.    Becky was charming; however, she couldn’t really tolerate being around people at all.    Most people considered her a recluse and a hermit.    She preferred the company of animals over people and spent most of her free time by herself or overtime at the factory executing her revenge by sending poisoned chocolates to them.  

Chapter 2—So Good I Could Die 

It was Valentine’s Day, and many men were dying once they had gotten chocolates sent to them by The White Glove.    The boxes themselves weren’t suspect or ominous.   There was no ill intent.   In fact, they were wrapped and decorated any other Valentine gift would be.   Once the numbers came in that men were dropping dead due to death cap infused chocolate, the factory had to shut down for a bit to do a bit of inspection.    Becky had cleaned up anything that could be traced to her, especially from her chemistry set or recent mushroom hunting escapades.     

Rebecca masked all her tracks, left no trace, especially not in her IP online where she often vented frustrations anonymously.     Of course, the factory shut down for one day, but this didn’t harm her that much financially.   She was making plenty more money in fashioning ‘candy store DIYs’ from home on her YouTube stream under the identity of ‘CandyGoblin’.   

Rebecca’s former boss Julio Estevez was spending a splendid day with his wife, unaware of the ‘White Glove’ outbreak.   Julio wasn’t current with the news and considered the news ‘trash’ as well as depressing and mind-numbingly boring.    He was active in the community in doing his best to make it better, but he wasn’t expecting a gift from his lovely flower, Amaryllis.  

Amaryllis had given him the chocolate, little knowing that its contents had been spiked with strychnine.    When he started foaming at the mouth out on their romantic dinner excursion, she called paramedics and within an instant, Julio was saved.   

Chapter 3—John Law Becomes Involved 

It was often said that one couldn’t outrun the ‘long arm of the law’.   Julio prayed this would be the case for his near death over a box of chocolates.   He had lost his taste for his favorite sweet and the case was discovered to be another hit by the infamous ‘White Glove’. 

A private investigator named Albert Moss started researching on each bit of evidence he had already begun gathering thanks to the intrepid men and women in law enforcement.   Everything pointed to a coquettish young lady he knew back in junior high.   Her name was ‘Batty Becky’.   Becky didn’t speak much but when she did, she was insanely intellectual.   She loathed group projects, but it was clear she had a bit of a crush on Albert although she never verbalized it.    

He traced all his leads back to Goody-Good Candy Company, where Rebecca was currently working.   Valentine’s Day had come and gone and no further exes or troublemaking men were dropping dead or experiencing massive diarrhea from tainted candy.   She could well be considered a mass murderer at this point with so many fingers directed at her.   She didn’t even bat an eyelash but had a feeling that Albert would find her sooner or later.   Disturbingly enough, it had been her ploy all along.   

‘I knew you would come looking for me.   I set clues only you would find, Al.’, Rebecca said, seductively.    Her doe eyes were magnified behind her cat-like retro frames.   

‘It had your signature !  How did you think I wouldn’t find you !   No one else I know writes that fluidly or that elegantly.   It’s the work of an artist, a delicate soul, but one of burden.’, Albert said, sagely.    Rebecca sighed, knowing she was defeated. 

‘It was a disgusting scheme to think I could interest you.   I mean, come on !  It was a junior high crush, not even full-fledged love.’, Becky said, critically.   Her fists were balled up in her lap and she pounded them on her legs in frustration.    Albert shook his head. 

‘You could’ve gotten help.   The most likely solution is that you’re going to the grey bar hotel for life.’, Al said, with some sadness.   He had done his best in the past by reaching out to her to get Rebecca help, but she declined.    Becky had a tainted self-image that she could do everything herself and by allowing someone else to shoulder the burden she would be seen as incapable and weak.    

‘I accept my punishment.’, Rebecca said, lowering her head.    She knew that she would die behind cell doors but part of her was happy she had gotten to be close to her crush after so many years.   She could bury that part of her past, knowing Al would be happy whatever he pursued.    The Goody Good factory would continue to crank out candy without her and the world would continue turning.  

Epilogue 

Albeit that ‘Batty Becky’ is in a cage for all eternity, her cautionary tale reverberates among us all.   If you have a problem, talk to someone you trust.   Don’t balk at the system that is trying to better you.   Going into yourself can be more of a problem than a solution.   There will always be someone willing to offer you a helping hand before it becomes any worse.   I went through a dark night of the soul myself, and there are days that the shadow of death rears its ugly head.    I can overcome this darkness knowing that my faith, my family, friends, and humor got me through, and yes, a little chocolate helps too.   

The End