[Eerie music]

Jordan: Welcome to "Where is Araminta Green?" where I, Jordan Thompson, investigate the disappearance of my classmate and neighbor. Two years ago, I was the last person to see Araminta, and the mystery of her whereabouts won't leave my mind. This episode, the first of the series, will center around the morning when I last saw her. What was Araminta doing, where was she supposed to be, and why was she walking through the cemetery at such an early hour?

[Wind howling]

Jordan: But let's start with what I do know about that morning. I know what I did and where I was. And I know where Araminta was supposed to be as well, because we had math class together at 9 a.m. on Thursdays.

We actually shared quite a few classes during senior year: Math, History, and English. Araminta usually sat in the back of the classroom, gazing out the window or pulling out a book from her bag to read. Despite her aloof demeanor, I know Araminta did quite well in class. Caught up in the competitiveness of high school, I may have peeked at her scores when our papers were passed back once or twice. I have to admit that Araminta did better than me most of the time.

[Sad trombone]

Jordan: Anyway, Araminta and I were both supposed to be in Math class that morning. I was there but she wasn't. Her bench stood empty. I didn't think anything of it at the time. Students miss classes all the time. Although Araminta usually didn't. She may have often appeared bored but she was still present at roll call.

It wasn't until the next morning, when we were supposed to have History together, that her absence struck me as odd. But that's a story for the next episode when I will delve into how it was discovered that Araminta was missing.

What is odd though is that I saw her around 7.30 that morning. Being the editor of the school newspaper, I liked to arrive early to tend to my duties before class, so that's why I drove to school at that hour. But I can't figure out why Araminta—who actively seemed to avoid extracurricular activities—was already out and about since she wouldn't have to leave home until an hour later to be in time for class. Her parents were out of town that week so, as far as I know, I was the only person who caught a glimpse of her that morning.

To try to answer what Araminta may have been doing, I decided to follow in her footsteps. Let's cut to me outside.

***

[Footsteps against the ground]

Jordan: It's 7.15 am. About the time Araminta must have left her house that morning. In this episode, I attempt to recreate her movements before disappearing, in the hopes of discovering some kind of lead.

[Footsteps against the ground]

Jordan: It's early March and the air is cold. Probably colder than it was the morning when Araminta disappeared. It was April then, and I don't remember her wearing a coat when I saw her. I think I was just wearing a hoodie myself. But this March morning, I'm wearing a bulky jeans jacket on top of a black sweater. I wish I had worn mittens.

At least I'm not alone since Kiki decided to join me on my walk.

[Cat meows]

Jordan: I'm outside the door of Araminta's house. Almost two years ago, she locked this door, never to return again. I'm about to walk in her footsteps, walking the probable route she took toward the graveyard. I start right here, next to my own childhood home. Her parents moved out of the house soon after the disappearance but I believe they still own it, as no For Sale sign has ever appeared outside. And curiously, someone is still tending to the lawn and hedges.

[Rustling leaves]

Jordan: So let's start walking.

[Footsteps against the ground]

Jordan: The route goes through the neat streets of suburban paradise. I'm assuming Araminta took the fastest route toward the cemetery, but I don't know for sure. From our small cul-de-sac, I veer onto Highland Avenue, the main street that serves the whole neighborhood, and continue walking. Kiki follows.

[Cat meows]

Jordan: This isn't the fastest way to Mistwood High School. But I suppose cutting across the cemetery would avoid the hustle and bustle of the downtown area. That might be the simple reason for Araminta walking in this direction although that doesn't explain why she was there so early. I think her parents usually drove her to school but since they were out of town, walking may have been her only means of transport if she didn't have her license yet.

If only she'd asked me to drive her instead... I was right there, in the house next door, and I was driving that way at the same time.

[Footsteps against the ground]

Jordan: I'm at the cemetery, looking around, noticing how peaceful the place seems. Despite living close by for many years, I've never walked through the gates before. Noise from traffic is cut out by the surrounding trees, making it a haven of tranquility in the middle of the city.

This is where I saw her. I saw Araminta but she didn't see me, at least I don't think so. And she hasn't been seen since.

[Voice of older woman heard in the background]

Jordan (narrating): Having arrived at the cemetery, I'm spotted by a woman who works there. Hoping she may have seen Araminta that morning, I approach and explain what I'm doing. The woman introduces herself as Rhonda Bates. After I've painstakingly explained what a podcast is, Rhonda agrees to talk to me.

Jordan: So like I told you, I'm doing a podcast about a girl that disappeared about two years ago. Her name was Araminta Green and she was last seen walking into this cemetery about two years ago. Perhaps you've heard of the case? It was written about quite a lot in the local newspapers at the time.

Rhonda: I've heard of her. The police came to talk to me back then. Asked me if I had seen her that morning.

Jordan: And did you?

Rhonda: Just as I told the police, I didn't see her. A lot of people pass through here every day and it's a big cemetery. I work all over the place, raking the paths, tending to flower beds, and cleaning the gravestones. That kind of stuff. I may not have been anywhere close to this gate at the time.

Jordan: But you did work here that day?

Rhonda: I've worked here for thirty years and I've only called in sick twice. So yes, I was working that morning. And I didn't see the girl.

Jordan: Had you ever seen Araminta before? You must have seen in the newspapers what she looked like: black hair, a lot of make-up, and elaborate clothing. She sticks out.

Rhonda: I saw her a few times. She must have liked just walking the grounds. Sometimes, she sat down on a bench. I think I saw her putting flowers on a grave once. Lilies of the valley, I believe.

Jordan: Do you remember which grave?

Rhonda: [sighs] I can't recall. We have a lot of graves around here if you haven't noticed...

Jordan: That's fair...

[Rustling from paper]

Jordan: Let me find another question then... I just need to check my notes.

Rhonda: I don't have all day, boy, these paths won't rake themselves.

Jordan: It'll only be a moment...

[Rustling from paper]

Jordan: Alright, I found them. How many different exits are there from the cemetery? Maybe if I can figure out which way Araminta left, I can figure out where she went next.

Rhonda: There are two, one toward downtown, which is the one most people take. But there is also another hidden exit. Not many people use it or even know about it.

Jordan: Do you think Araminta used that exit?

Rhonda: I know she did.

Jordan: What do you mean? I thought you didn't see her that morning.

Rhonda: I didn't. Not that morning. But I know she knew about it, because I saw her leave via that path before. Several times even. As I said, not many people use it, so it stood out to me that someone went that route. It's in the old part of the cemetery and it's quite overgrown. It leads toward the woods. There's even a folktale told about why it's there.

[Wind chimes]

Jordan: Oh, that's interesting. What does the lore say?

Rhonda: That the exit is not for the living but for the dead. It was built for their spirits to leave through.

[Crow caws faintly in the background]

***

Jordan: A forgotten exit toward the woods, which are the same piney dwellings that lurk behind our houses? And it served as a way for spirits to leave? I don't know if these things have anything to do with Araminta, but I'm quite sure they would have intrigued her if she was here. And I do know I have to find that exit.

[Cat meows]

Jordan: But that will be in a later episode, as I don't want to lead Kiki astray any further. So after thanking Rhonda for answering my questions, I concluded my investigations for the day.

In the next episode, I will continue my investigation by retelling what happened next: how was it discovered that Araminta had vanished, and what happened after she was reported missing? I will tell you what I have been able to figure out from the police reports and I will talk to the person who reported Araminta missing.

So stay tuned for episode two, which will drop shortly!

[Eerie music starts]

Jordan: Subscribe to follow along as new episodes drop.

[Crow caws]