I don’t get it…why would he kill them if he wants them to be his friend?

JW44:

HE KILLS THE ONES HE DOESN’T WANT, TAKES THE OTHERS WITH HIM. THEY DON’T DIE—THEY LIVE FOREVER. THEY BECOME HIS SHADOWS.

Corareef12:

But that’s impossible.

JW44:

IS IT?

Corareef12:

Yes! How would you know, anyway?

JW44:

BECAUSE I’M WITHER.

Text Message Exchange Between Clint Phelps, Abby Ridgewood And Ryan Maren

Text Message Exchange
Between Clint Phelps, Abby Ridgewood and Ryan Maren

Monday, April 16, 2018

Clint: Wither Lives! Just ask Max

Abby: ?????

Ryan: What happened?

Clint: Kid got stabbed at the train yard. Wither Lives!

Abby: UR full of it

Clint: His sister was there. Said it was Wither. Ha ha

Ryan: No way! Who was the girl?

Abby: Is she okay? Did she die?

Clint: Not yet

Dr. Madeline Gideon September 14, 2018

Dr. Madeline Gideon

September 14, 2018

I interviewed Mara Landry in one of the family rooms located on the third floor of the children’s hospital. I wanted to talk with Mara privately before I met with Cora but understandably she didn’t want to be too far away from her daughter.

She settled onto a love seat covered in a striped, industrial-strength fabric made to stand up to the wear and tear of hundreds of worried and grief-stricken parents and visitors. I pulled a chair up and sat down next to her, positioning myself so I could see if anyone was lingering near the door to ensure privacy for our conversation.

Mara looked somewhat rested compared to when I saw her the evening before. Knowing that Cora’s injuries weren’t life-threatening certainly must have eased her mind. Her blond hair was brushed and tucked smoothly behind her ears and her face was expertly made up. Someone must have brought her a change of clothes. Gone were the paint-splattered yoga pants and sweatshirt. Instead she wore tailored jeans, ballet flats and a long-sleeve black T-shirt.

During the fifteen minutes that we visited, Mara painted a picture of a happy twelve-year-old who just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. I took note that Mara didn’t mention any of the anxiety that was noted in Cora’s medical records.

“Where are the police in their investigation? Have they given you any more information?” I asked.

“Just bits and pieces,” Mara said. “It’s very frustrating. The officer did say that they didn’t think robbery was the motive. I mean, obviously. Who would rob a twelve-year-old? But then he said that the ER nurses found two hundred dollars in Cora’s pocket. Why in the world would she have that kind of money with her?”

“What did Cora say?” I asked.

“She said she didn’t know. She couldn’t remember.” Mara shook her head. “It doesn’t make any sense.”