[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 just won't leave my mind. This episode is the seventh and last installment of the show since the university course for which I've been creating this project is coming to a close. It's also a slightly different episode from the previous ones. To start with, due to a recent wrist injury that makes the technical aspects of podcasting difficult, I have acquired some new assistants. Do you guys want to say hi to the listeners?

Chase: Hi. I'm Chase, Jordan's brother. I'm helping him with recording, cutting, sound effects, and all that stuff, I guess. Is that enough or should I say something more?

Jordan: Yeah, that's great. Thank you, Chase!

Darcy: And I'm Darcy, Jordan's sister and also the producer for this episode! Hello to everyone out there! And if Jungkook is listening my phone number is [beeeeeeep].

Chase: [groans] Jungkook isn't listening to this, Darce!

Darcy: He could be! When this podcast goes viral, everyone will listen to it!

Chase: Well, I'm going to put a beep over your phone number anyway, because I don't think Mom will appreciate having everyone call you.

Darcy: No, you're not! Jordan, tell him he can't!

Jordan: Eh... I think it's probably a good idea not to include any personal phone numbers in the podcast. But I have set up an email for the podcast, so if any K-pop idols listen and want to get in touch, they can contact us through that.

Darcy: Fine...

Jordan: As you can tell, we're having a grand old-time sibling bonding over here. Hopefully, no one will have strangled anyone else by the end of the podcast. Oh, and Kiki is also here for moral support, but you guys already know her.

[Snoring]

Jordan: She's asleep right now but I'm sure she will make her opinion known later.

[Cat meows]

Jordan: Anyway, as I was saying, this episode will be different in a couple of ways. In the previous episodes, I have been out in the field—interviewing someone or doing research—but in this episode, it will just be me talking from the studio. Because I'm all out of leads and running out of time. I have also realized that this search has been as much about finding myself as it has been about finding Araminta, even if I won't give up hope that one day she will be found as well. So today, I will speak directly to Araminta, telling her what this journey meant to me.

[Clears throat]

Jordan: Araminta. I don't know if you even knew my name. I hope you did because that means I wasn't as invisible as I thought I was in high school. I was convinced that no one knew my name or even noticed me in the hallways, and I believe you shared that feeling of not mattering to anyone. But you did matter to me. I thought so many times that I should reach out to you; to ask you if you wanted to work together on a project in History class or something. I wish I had done that. Maybe you wouldn't be missing then.

While I don't know exactly what happened to you, based on the clues I have found I believe you disappeared because you thought no one would miss you. Be it a spell or just walking away into the woods. It was an act of defiance to the ones who refused to see you. But I think something went wrong and now you can't find your way back home. And just like in school, I wish I knew how to reach out to you, to take your hand and bring you back into the light. Unfortunately, it's not as easy as turning toward the person next to me in the classroom this time, asking a question that should have been simple but wasn't. Because I feared getting rejected so much that I never gave anyone the chance to accept me. So if you hear this, you need to give me some kind of sign or clue on what to do to find you. I won't reject you, I promise. I will do whatever I have to. And I won't question whatever journey you have been on, no matter how unbelievable it may seem. I am on your side, Araminta. I am your friend. I am reaching out now, even though it may be too late. I am asking you now if you want to work on a school project together.

I also want to take the opportunity to reach out to someone else in this podcast. Someone who has come to mean a lot to me in a short time. Someone who did ask me to work on a school project together.

Derek Chao, this part is for you. If this was a text, I would start it with a string of koala emojis.

By the way, Professor Carrigan, you don't need to listen to this part. It's not really related to my project. It's more of a personal matter.

[Clears throat]

Jordan: Derek. I'm sorry I haven't been in touch since the last time we saw each other. I should have called or texted you. I should have learned from my mistake with Araminta because I don't want you to disappear from my life. But I got scared of losing you, because getting to know you have meant so much to me. Which may sound counter-intuitive since if I don't talk to you I will lose you anyway. And I can't stand the thought of that. I need you in my life, regardless of what our relationship will be going forward. You reached out to me and it changed everything. I was no longer alone. I was accepted. Everything felt so natural with you, all the social intricacies that previously have escaped me were suddenly easy. I was lost and you found me. So now it's my turn to find you again.

I'm sorry if putting my feelings into words in this way embarrassed you in any way. I just seem to be able to talk so much easier when on the air than when I try to cobble together a text or contemplate calling. But if this journey has taught me anything it is that I shouldn't let my doubts stop me from reaching out, so I will do that, regardless if you listen or not. I won't let you go without a fight.

Heart emoji. Koala emoji.

Darcy: Awww. I do hope he hears this.

Jordan: So do I. [sighs]

Darcy: And Jungkook better hear this too! Call me!

Chase: Stop talking about Jungkook, you're ruining the podcast! I'm cutting you out of it completely if you don't shut up.

Darcy: You can't do that! I'm telling Mom!

[Door slams]

Jordan: Well, this is turning into a farce... I better conclude this before our mom shows up to guest star.

[Cat meows]

Jordan: And now Kiki has woken up from all the noise, and is currently helping Chase record by stepping on the keyboard.

[Crow caws]

Jordan: That was the sound effect she chose to put in. Great choice, Kiki!

[Cat meows]

[Crow caws]

Chase: Stop rolling on the keyboard, Kiki! Jordan can you help me move her?

Jordan: My arm is broken, I can't—

[Crash from things falling]

[Door opening]

[Female voice wondering what is going on]

[Shuffling in the background]

[Static noise]

[Silence]

Jordan: We experienced some technical difficulties but now I'm back to wrap this up before any additional animals, siblings, or parents interrupt.

[Eerie music]

Jordan: And I guess this is the end of this podcast series unless any unexpected developments happen in Araminta's case. I'm sorry to say that I still don't know the answer to the titular question. I know this is a frustrating note to end on but it's the best I can muster right now. At least I can say that I will walk away from this project a different person: less scared of life and more assured of my own capability. I looked for Araminta but instead, I found myself, I guess. Although that sounds very cliche. But it's the most satisfying ending I can leave you with.

So for now, this is goodbye. This is the end of "Where is Araminta Green?". I am Jordan Thompson and I sadly still don't know where Araminta Green is.

[Eerie music starts]

Jordan: Subscribe to get notified if any new episodes drop.

[Crow caws]