The nurse carefully began to peel away the bandages that covered the left side of her face. “Ahh, it looks like you’ve developed a bit of an infection, Cora. You just hang tight now and we’ll get you all fixed up, okay?” I looked over the nurse’s shoulder and could see that Cora had developed more than a bit of an infection. The entire wound was seeping with green discharge.

“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

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

Case #92-10945

Excerpt from the journal of Cora E. Landry

Feb. 6, 2018