Before She Was Found(72)

“Do you know where her parents are?” I asked.

“The mom went down to the cafeteria so you could have privacy for your session with Cora and I haven’t seen her dad yet today. I’ll give her mom’s cell phone a ring,” the nurse explained.

I sat down next to Cora as the nurse left the room. Cora murmured something that I didn’t quite catch.

I leaned in closer. “What did you say?”

“Violet was there but he didn’t stay,” Cora said. “I thought he would stay.”

“Who didn’t stay?” I asked. Cora reached up to touch her face. “No, no, Cora.” I reached for her hand. “Don’t touch it. Who didn’t stay, your dad?”

Her uninjured eye opened while the other one remained closed, glued shut with pus. “Not my dad. Joseph Wither.”



Case #92-10945


Direct message dated February 5, 2018,
via DarkestDoor.com


JW44:
YOU’VE SEEMED SO SAD LATELY. ARE THINGS STILL BAD AT SCHOOL?
Corareef12:
Yeah, it’s pretty bad. No one talks to me, which is almost worse than people being outright mean. At least when they’re mean they know I’m there. I stayed home sick twice this week. My grades suck and my mom is starting to talk about getting me a tutor. I can’t wait until spring break.
JW44:
I’LL LEAVE YOU A PRESENT AT THE PRIMROSE. WILL THAT CHEER YOU UP?
Corareef12:
The Primrose?
JW44:
THE BOXCAR. THE ONE WITH THE FLOWERS.
Corareef12:
Why can’t we just meet in person? Why won’t you just let me see you at least?
JW44:
NOT JUST YET. YOU HAVEN’T TOLD ANYONE ABOUT ME, HAVE YOU? THIS HAS TO BE OUR SECRET.
Corareef12:
I haven’t told anyone. I promise. When?
JW44:
BE PATIENT. PEOPLE WOULDN’T UNDERSTAND. YOU’RE JUST A KID.
Corareef12:
I’m not just a kid.
JW44:
YOUR PARENTS WOULD NEVER LET YOU GO TO THE TRAIN YARD LATE AT NIGHT. THAT’S WHEN I COME OUT. JUST COME FRIDAY. THE PRESENT WILL BE THERE FOR YOU.
Corareef12:
Promise?
JW44:
I PROMISE.


Case #92-10945


Excerpt from the journal of Cora E. Landry


Feb. 6, 2018

I decided to call Mr. Dover over the weekend. Everyone was out of the house. I mean, he said I could but I was still nervous. My palms were sweaty when I picked up the phone and my fingers shook while I dialed the numbers. The phone rang and rang and I almost hung up when he answered but I didn’t.

I started crying when he said hello and Mr. Dover just sat on the other end and waited for me to stop. “What’s the matter, Corabell?” he asked. “Having a bad day?”

I told him that I was sad and lonely and not sleeping very well. I asked him about what he told me about not giving up on friendship. I told him that I really missed Violet. That I’d been saying hi to her in the hallway and she always says hi back.

Mr. Dover told me that it sounded like I had already made up my mind to talk to Violet and that I should go for it. I thanked him and he said, No problem. But remember not to say anything about this call, okay?

I emailed Joseph, too, and told him what I was thinking and he told me I should just forget about Violet, that she’s not worth my time. He told me I should spend my time thinking about important things—him!

On Monday, I chickened out and went to eat lunch in Mr. Dover’s room again. The principal walked by and peeked in the room. Then she called Mr. Dover over and they whispered for a few minutes. I overheard her saying something about how it isn’t appropriate for him to be alone in a classroom with a student. That people might misunderstand.

So after lunch Mr. Dover told me that I should probably start eating lunch in the cafeteria again.

Today, when I walked into the lunchroom, I felt like my heart was going to explode I was so nervous. Nobody even looked twice at me, which was just fine with me. I sat next to Joy Willard and we even talked a little bit but I kept looking over at Violet. She was sitting at the same table as Jordyn but they weren’t sitting next to each other. Jordyn was actually sitting next to Gabe and they were talking and laughing. Violet wasn’t talking to anyone.

I feel like if I can just get Violet by herself I’ll be able to explain that I’m really sorry about the cell phone. I know that Joseph said I should forget about Violet, that she’s not my friend, but I’m so lonely that some days I don’t even think I can get out of bed. If I had just one friend, just one besides Wither, I know I’ll feel better.

Tomorrow morning before school starts I’m going to wait by Violet’s locker and beg her to talk to me. If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what I’m going to do. I don’t think I could stand coming to school anymore if I thought everyone hated me.



Case #92-10945


Excerpt from the journal of Cora E. Landry


Feb. 7, 2018

I did it! I talked to Violet. I told her I was sorry about the cell phone and about how I freaked out the day of the presentation. That I shouldn’t have started yelling at everyone the way I did. That I shouldn’t have slapped Jordyn. It felt so good to finally talk to her. I asked her if she would please just come over to my house. I had to show her something.

At first she said no, that she didn’t think she could. I know she was thinking about Jordyn and that it would be social suicide if she got caught hanging around with me. I told her Jordyn wouldn’t have to know, no one would. She thought about this and then said okay.