As the insect communities began to organize, Sandra watched the webs in vain for some sign that her overtures of peace had been accepted. None came. After several weeks, it became clear that the arachnids were planning a pre-emptive strike, but she couldn’t be sure of their first target. She laid awake nights; considering alternatives. The question consumed all her energies and even began to affect her work.

Meanwhile, her offerings to the spiders continued. What if they were just testing her sincerity in wanting peace? She couldn’t quit now.

The insect community had now identified the serial killer that preyed upon their loved ones. They simply hadn’t seen it at first; it was so large that it was like part of the landscape. But now an army began to mobilize.