I have written quite a bit of fanfiction, but this is my first venture with Secret Window. Having watched it again for the first time in a long time, I had an idea for a story….so let's see how it goes.

This will take place six years after the movies ended. If you will, please allow me some liberties: First of all, I know some of this will be unrealistic (especially when considering that Mort is essentially a "free man" after killing his wife, her lover, and two others)…..but let's just go with it. It's fiction after all…..and an ESCAPE.

Also, obviously, I do NOT own any part or any character from "Secret Window" or Stephen King, etc. I obviously also have no affiliation with Rolling Stone magazine.

Therefore, NO COPYRIGHT INFRINGEMENT is intended. This is merely for entertainment purposes. The only thing that is mine is the character I have created: Ms. Maggie Winters.

I hope you enjoy. If so, please let me know and I will do subsequent chapters. This is just an "introduction" to see if the interest is there for me to take it further. Please share your thoughts & reviews!

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Maggie Winters checked the GPS on her rental car once again to make sure she was on the correct route. She was beginning to think she would never arrive at Tashmore Lake.

Not that she was a city girl. Sure, now she lived in the big city, but she had grown up in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia. Being outside of the "concrete jungle" where grass and trees were a novelty was much more her style.

But a girl had to make a living. After landing a coveted job with Rolling Stone magazine (where she still woke up every day wondering whether or not she was dreaming), she had worked her ass off trying to prove herself and get more than a 'filler' here and there in the magazine.

Maggie wanted a real story.
With a byline.
So she had worked six months for this interview.

Six months of hearing co-workers tell her she was crazy and telling her it could never be done. Telling her he would never agree to an interview.

Six months of phone calls which ended up in mostly leaving messages that went un-returned;

and emails that went un-answered;

and even the old-fashioned art of the U.S. Postal Service to deliver letters.

All of it attempting to get an interview with the infamous Morton Rainey.

The man was a genius. An odd one, no doubt, but weren't they all? In her experience, any artist who was truly original and incredibly talented had a level of genius…..and they all had a bit of 'crazy' in them. Actors, musicians, authors, painters….. all of them.

Was she worried about meeting Mort Rainey? Maybe just a little. Who wouldn't be? He was an enigma. Very few people had ever scored an interview with him even before his apparent breakdown. Then, after spending 4 ? years in a high security mental institution/prison for killing his wife and her lover, he had been released on 'good behavior' under the condition that he would meet with a psychiatrist and parole officer every Monday and Friday.

Yes, twice per week.

If one meeting was missed, he was back in the mental institution.

As such, he had lain low in his beloved cabin at Tashmore Lake since his release. From what she had gathered, even his groceries were delivered since he was 'unwelcome' in the neighboring town.

It all seemed incredibly sad to her. Something about him struck a chord with her and she was anxious to find out who Morton Rainey truly was under the layers.

Lately, the rumor mill in the publication world had been running wild with news he may be writing his next novel, and if that was the case, Maggie wanted to be the one to finally secure an interview with the reclusive author. Considering his past success and the fact that this would be his first novel in nearly 8 years, it could be the one to get her a better writing position with the coveted magazine. Not to mention getting her the recognition and respect she desired as a serious journalist.

When she had received the first return email from his publicist, she could hardly believe it:

Ms Winters…..Mr Rainey has agreed to meet with you. Please call and we will discuss details and secure travel arrangements. Sincerely…Natasha Portokolis."

She still couldn't believe it. She had called Natasha right away and over the next two weeks, they had made plans. She had even received a couple of emails from Mr. Rainey himself although concise and to the point.

It was no matter to her. She was just excited for the opportunity to interview him and hopefully catapult her career.

Finally she saw it. The beautiful lake appeared on her right-hand side as she drove out of the woods into a clearing. The road was paved albeit a little worn with small divets here and there. She avoided them as much as possible while keeping her eyes on the GPS. Then, she saw it just as Siri announced that she had indeed arrived at her destination.

A dirt drive led the way up a small hill to a rustic looking cabin with a screened in front porch. She pulled in, turned off the engine, and sat…..nervous for the first time since getting off the plane a couple of hours earlier. She began wondering if she had indeed lost her mind.

She could hear her father's voice in her head: "Are you sure about this, Mag-pie? It doesn't sound safe…..You know very little about this man. And what you do know isn't good! Are you sure you'll be okay?"

"I'll be fine, Daddy." She had tried to assure him.

Now she was feeling butterflies wondering about the wisdom of her decision.

Then that voice…her inner voice which never steered her wrong….spoke up: Oh for heaven's sakes. It's perfectly safe! He has been cleared by his doctor AND parole officer…..Not to mention the new publicist who has taken him on. They have all assured you he is stable, so you will be FINE!

"Right," she said to herself. "I'll be fine! It's gonna be GREAT!"

Before exiting her car, she looked at the text message on her phone one more time. It was from Natasha and had been received that morning.

Maggie…Mort is looking forward to meeting you and is expecting you around 3 pm. Should your flight be delayed, please let me know so we can make arrangements to reschedule your first meeting for tomorrow. I know Mort is going to feel very safe with you….I hope you have safe travels.-Nat

Yes, they had reached that point: Between the numerous phone calls and emails over the previous couple of weeks, she and Natasha were now on a first name basis. It was all very surreal.

She looked at the clock in her car.

2:50 p.m.

Right on time.

Taking a deep breath, she grabbed her purse and exited the car to make her way up the gravel drive towards the door leading to the enclosed porch. She knocked tentatively. When there was no answer, she opened the door and walked to the main door of the house. She knocked again….quietly at first.

Seriously, Maggie? This is ridiculous! Her inner voice chided. You've come this far….so knock on the damn door and meet the man!

Maggie squared her shoulders and took a deep breath before reaching her hand up to knock more forcefully on the wooden door.

Then, she heard footsteps…and the door opened.

The sight that greeted her took her breath away. She had read everything there was to know about Morton Rainey and had seen numerous pictures of him including professional photos from book covers, photos from book signings or 'fan-centric' events…..and even the less than flattering pictures that had flooded the media after his arrest and subsequent trial.

But nothing…nothing…could have prepared her for seeing him in the flesh.

Damn, but the man was gorgeous.

His eyes were a deep chocolate brown and seemed to suck her in making her lose every rational thought.

"Hello," he said. "You must be Miss Winters?"

When Maggie blinked and stood mute simply staring at him, his brows creased in confusion. "Are you okay?"

Even his voice was amazing…..Like a soft purr.

Dammit, get a grip! She scolded herself.

Feeling foolish, she finally shook herself out of her stupor and reached out her hand, "Oh…..um…yes….Sorry Mr. Rainey. Please call me Maggie. It's wonderful to finally meet you."

Then he smiled and she felt her knees go weak. He took her hand, "Okay, Maggie. Please call me Mort. Won't you come in?"

He opened the door wider allowing her room to pass before closing the door behind them.

"How was your trip?" he asked.

"Oh fine. Thank you."

"Any trouble finding the place? It's different than the city…all the buildings and traffic and such." He smiled at her again.

"No, no trouble at all actually," she answered. "I grew up in a small town so this is very much like home."

He seemed to like that answer. "Would you like something to drink?"

"That would be great. What do you have?"

He thought for a moment. "Water…..Mountain Dew…Beer…and maybe a bottle of wine or two."

She seemed to be considering her answer.

"I know it's early in the afternoon, but as the saying goes 'It's 5 o'clock somewhere', right?" he said.

She laughed and he found he liked the sound of it.

"Maybe a glass of wine would take the edge off? Make this more comfortable?" he inquired.

"Right…..what do you have?"

One eyebrow quirked and a subtle blush crept up his cheeks, "Well, Miss Maggie…Assuming that you were doing your research on me, I may've done some investigating of my own."

"Is that right?" she asked as her smile grew wider.

"Yes. And I happened to find out you prefer a dry Chardonnay."

She had to admit…she was impressed.

Without waiting for her answer, Mort moved to the kitchen where he pulled down two wine glasses before retrieving the bottle of chardonnay chilling in the freezer and opening it up. He poured them both a glass and handed one to her.

"To new adventures," he said before holding his glass up to her in toast.

She clinked her glass with his and took a sip.

"Let's go onto the porch and talk," he said motioning towards the door.

Once they were both settled and had taken sips of the wine, Maggie turned towards him.

"So can I be honest with you?"

"Mmmm….honesty's always a good thing," he said although he couldn't help but wonder what she might be ready to say.

"You don't strike me as a 'wine' person, Mort."

He laughed and she felt butterflies in her stomach. "You would be right about that…but I am making concessions. Trying to make you as comfortable as possible."

"And why would that be?" she asked curiously.

"Apparently this is a big deal for you…..although I can't imagine why interviewing ME would be a big deal." Then he grew more serious and sighed as he looked out towards the water, "It's a big deal for me too. Making a good impression is important right now."

She turned to look at him. "So we're both playing the game right now?"

His expression remained serious as he turned back to her. Once again, she felt his eyes boring into hers as if he could see in to her soul. "No games," he said. "And I won't lie to you. I can promise you that."

"Alright," she agreed before holding up her glass again. "To new friendships."

Mort grinned and tapped his glass to hers. "We're going to get along just fine, Miss Maggie."

And with that simple statement Maggie wondered what the hell she had gotten herself into.

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So what do you think of chapter 1? Would love to know if you'd like it to continue!