In 2009, American journalist Stace Winstead is working on an article about cursed chain letters and creepypastas. Her piece explores the psychology behind these viral phenomena and why people create them, using famous examples like the Carmen Winstead urban legend in the US, Teresa Fidalgo in Latin America, and internet myths like Jeff the Killer and Slenderman. But during her research, Stace stumbles upon a chilling chain letter:
"I'm sorry to send you this, but it was sent to me. NEVER LOOK AT HER.
Hi, my name is Salome Dearman. I'm 15 years old. I'm a cheerful, lively girl, and I love to read. Did I mention to you that I'm dead? Nearly 200 years ago, someone poisoned my father and strangled me to death. But now my spirit has returned for vengeance. My story was twisted, and now they call me Slendrina.
If you don't forward this message to 8 of your loved ones, I will visit you in 8 days to make you my best friend. A boy once received this message and ignored it. As punishment, I paid him a visit, and now he is my best friend.
If you don't believe me, look up Salome Dearman on the internet."
Though skeptical, curiosity gets the better of her. Just as she did with Teresa Fidalgo, Stace looks up "Salome Dearman." But instead of finding more online lore, she uncovers real crime records from 1818 England, bearing a grim headline: "Duke Poisoned, Eldest Daughter Strangled, Wife Missing." Stace is about to realize that this is no ordinary internet hoax.
