14. Sunday, October 15, 2023 #7
She narrows her eyes at him. It’s a lame excuse, but she’s not sure what for exactly. “So, you didn’t invite a group of your friends into the cave to watch or record it or anything?”
He laughs, but there’s a nervousness to it. “Oh my God, Polly. I would never do something like that. I barely even have friends, other than you.”
The fight drains out of her. She’s not sure anymore what she’s even upset about. She exhales loudly, suddenly feeling very tired. “You didn’t happen to bring a joint, did you?” She wants to change the topic and hopes that some weed might settle her stomach.
“Ahh, no. I didn’t bring one.”
“What? Why not? You always have at least one.”
“I know. I’m trying to quit. You should too. It’s really not good for you.”
She shakes her head in disbelief. “Okay then. Whatever.”
“Anyway, I’d better go.” He leans forward and gives her a quick peck on the lips.
She grabs the sleeve of his jacket and asks, “What’s wrong? You only just got here.”
“Nothing. I just forgot about something I have to do.” He smiles, but it looks forced. “I’ll come back soon.” He gives her another quick kiss and then heads into the trees.
She stands there staring into the woods after him.
Trying to make sense of her feelings about all of it.
Thinking she could really use some advice from her sister right now.
Wondering why she hasn’t heard her voice all weekend.
“Hey,” she calls out, not even caring anymore who hears her. “I need you.”
The only sound that comes in response is the wind whispering through the trees.
Polly doesn’t understand. Why would her sister suddenly stop talking to her?
She heard her so clearly in the cave that night.
Another chunk of memory floats free from the haziness of the night.
Her sister had said, If you don’t stop this now, it’s going to get too loud in there to hear me.
At the time it made no sense, but now, in hindsight, it feels like a warning.
For the first time since moving to the woods, Polly is afraid of the silence instead of the noise.
Quinn
His mom’s crazy experience in the woods has only deepened his obsession with the Justine Gordon case.
He’s honestly afraid that his mother is losing her mind, just like Justine Gordon did.
Hallucinating in the woods was bad enough, but the way she reacted when he went into the living room to get her for dinner frightened him more.
His mom is terrified.
After dinner he came right to his room and started searching for more information about the case that wasn’t in the podcast, which is how he came across the 911 call buried in a true-crime chat room.
Someone had posted a recording of the call that Justine Gordon’s older son had made the night his mother tried to kill him.
Quinn connects his AirPods to his computer, slips them on, and presses Play.
His stomach tightens as soon as he hears the click of the phone and the heavy breathing.
911 Operator: 911, what is your emergency?
Unknown Caller: I think I’ve been poisoned.
911 Operator: Okay, I’ve got your location at approximately 3834 Waverley Lane. Is that correct?
Unknown Caller: I’m in the woods, out back. I’m hiding from my mother. She’s trying to kill me. [static]
911 Operator: I’m sorry? Did you say your mother is trying to kill you?
Unknown Caller: Yeah. I think she poisoned the chili. We had chili. I think she killed my dad and younger brother too.
911 Operator: Your mother poisoned them too? There are three possible poisoning victims at the address on Waverley?
Unknown Caller: [static] No. Not poisoned. I don’t know what she did to them, but they’re gone. I haven’t seen my dad in two days, and I haven’t seen my [static] since yesterday.
911 Operator: Okay, what’s your mom’s name, and where is she?
Unknown Caller: Uh, Justine Gordon. I don’t know where she is right [static]
911 Operator: Have you found somewhere safe? Help is on the way. Just hang in there.
Unknown Caller: My stomach, it hurts so bad.
911 Operator: Do you know what kind of poison it was?
Unknown Caller: [static] I threw some of it up.
911 Operator: Okay, that’s good, if you can make yourself throw up again that’s good too. Now, can you tell me your name and how old you are?
Unknown caller: I’m [static] Gordon and I’m eighteen [static] I’m [static]
911 Operator: Hello? Are you still there?
Unknown Caller: [whispering] I think she found me. I hear someone coming.
911 Operator: Be quiet and hide, but stay on the line with me. Help is on the way.
Unknown Caller: [caller speaking to someone off the phone] Oh, it’s you. [static]
911 Operator: Is that your mother? Did she find you? What’s your name, hon?
Unknown Caller: [choking sounds]
911 Operator: Stay with me. Help will be there soon.
Unknown Caller: It’s okay. [static] Help is here.
911 Operator: What? Who’s helping you? Who’s with you now?
Quinn hears a sharp click as the call is disconnected.
He listens to the call again and again. By the time he slides his headphones off he has the entire thing memorized.
He doesn’t dare look out his window.