[Eerie music]

Jordan: Welcome back to "Where is Araminta Green?". I am Jordan Thompson and I'm aware that I said that the last episode was going to be the last one but since there have been some interesting developments in the case, I'm back for an additional episode of this podcast, featuring a special guest. I'll let her introduce herself.

Young female: I am Araminta Green. I am the one Jordan has been looking for. I am no longer missing. I am here.

[Crow cawing]

Jordan: Yes, Araminta is here. As many listeners may already be aware—since the case has gotten quite a lot of attention lately in local media—Araminta returned to her parents' house two weeks ago, alerting them of her presence by using the key code only she would know. Since then, theories of where she's been have run rampant in true crime circles, especially since she has so far refused to talk to the media. But today, she will speak to me and tell her truth about why she went missing and came back.

[Eerie music]

Jordan: Before we start though, I want to take the opportunity to introduce the people who are helping me with the podcast today. Since my arm is still injured, my classmate Derek Chao will help me record and edit this episode.

Derek: Hello, everyone! Yes, I'm back. And to everyone who has been asking, yes, I did hear Jordan's heartfelt message to me in the latest episode. So speaking about that, Jordan, do you want to tell everyone the news?

Jordan: Sure... I guess I can now announce to everyone that Derek is not just my classmate anymore but also my boyfriend. We became official this morning actually. So everyone—both online, in school, and under this roof— who has been fretting about our relationship status can now relax.

[Cheers]

Araminta: Congratulations! I'm so happy for both of you.

Tween girl: Wait, I'm confused... I thought Derek already was your boyfriend? I heard mom talking on the phone with grandma yesterday, saying that you would bring your wonderful boyfriend when see them this summer.

Jordan: Well, mom obviously drew her own conclusions. Anyway, that's a great segue to introduce Darcy, my little sister, who... I'm honestly not quite sure what she is doing here. But she insisted on being present for the recording and who am I to question her?

Darcy: I'm keeping an eye on Kiki, of course, to make sure she doesn't roll on the keyboard again!

Jordan: Alrighty then... and that introduces my third assistant: Kiki. Who is enjoying the sunbeam on the window sill right now but who may decide she wants to get a word in later. And I guess that's when Darcy, our resident cat sitter, will swoop in.

[Cat meows]

Darcy: I'm ready!

Jordan: Now that the introductions are over with, we can get back to the star of the show: Araminta Green, who has become a dear friend of mine since her return. We've spent many hours together, working on how to tell her unusual story.

Araminta: And you are a dear friend of mine as well, Jordan. That's why I trust you to tell this story.

Jordan: Thank you, I hope I will do it justice because I do think it's a story worth telling. I know there has been speculation around whether magic or witchcraft was involved in your disappearance, partly because of the hints in that direction from this podcast, so I want to give Araminta the opportunity to address those rumors herself. Araminta, are you a witch?

[Witchy laughter]

Araminta: Is this some kind of witch trial? Are people gonna throw me in a lake and see if I float next? [chuckles] But no, I'm not what you would describe as a witch. I can't do anything anyone else can't. I don't have a cauldron or fly on a broom.

Darcy: You do have a black cat though!

Araminta: That's true. And Kiki is very special to me. I would be proud for her to be my familiar if I were a witch. But I'm not. I'm just a regular girl who happens to like reading about the occult and learning about practices such as tarot reading.

Jordan: And from your reading on such practices, what is your conclusion? Is there such a thing as magic?

[Magic wand sound]

Araminta: I don't want to rule out the possibility of powers beyond our understanding but I do know there are no magical solutions to our problems. Escaping, in whatever way you choose to do so, is only a temporary solution and it won't solve the issue at heart. To do that, you have to be brave and face your fears. That's why I came back, to do just that. To let people know who I really am. I don't want to live in a magical illusion anymore.

[Wind chimes]

Jordan: Speaking of that, and I know a lot of people are wondering this, where exactly were you for those two years when you were missing?

Araminta: I was everywhere and nowhere. You'd be surprised how easy it is to disappear on the winds of freedom. If you don't ask for anything and don't connect with anyone, no one will notice you. I didn't disappear as much as I blended into the background, which is something I have done all my life, so I have plenty of experience with it. People may notice a moody goth chick with elaborate make-up, but take away those window dressings and invisibility is easy to achieve. I had some cash from when I helped the old ladies in the woods—who are no more magical than I am by the way, Esme just has a vivid imagination—and I had a deck of tarot cards with me. It was enough to make do since I wanted nothing except escaping. I lived on the border of society, where the outcasts thrive and the chosen flounder. I thought it was my home, but I was just as lonely there as I had been before. That's when I heard your podcast. I heard you reaching out and I knew I had to go back.

Jordan: I wasn't the only one looking for you though. So why did my podcast make a difference?

Araminta: You were not, and I'm grateful to know my family never stopped hoping I would be back. I'm sorry I made them worry so and I hope they can forgive me. But I couldn't go back. Not until I realized you were searching for me. Your words mattered because I thought no one in school ever noticed me or cared. You showed that I had been mistaken.

Jordan: And I'm glad I could show you that because I have felt the same and it's a horrible feeling.

Araminta: That's why I wanted to end this interview with a message to you, and to myself, I guess. A message for the people we used to be, two years ago, and to everyone else who feels left out and ignored. I want to tell you to look around and see who else is there with you, because you may not be as alone as you think. I know reaching out is difficult and scary, but it can be worth it. It's so easy to get lost in that feeling of isolation and see nothing outside your own bubble of protection. You build a castle of thorns and lay down on them, telling yourself it's the bed you've chosen. There are no magical solutions for breaking through that wall and you may get hurt, I won't deny that, but there are also opportunities for connection. You shouldn't give up on others and you shouldn't give up on yourself. So thank you, Jordan, for not giving up on me, even when I had done so myself.

Jordan: You're welcome... I really didn't do that much though. I mean it was just a school project.

Derek: Don't be so humble, Jordy. You made a difference and you should be proud. I'm proud of you!

[Smooching from kisses]

Darcy: Can you guys stop doing that all the time? It's getting old...

Kiki: Mrooow?

Darcy: And now you two woke up Kiki!

Derek: Don't you dare jump onto that monitor, Miss Kiki! It will topple if you do so.

Araminta: Come here, kitty! [Pats lap] You'll be more comfortable here.

Kiki: Mrppphhh. [cat purrs]

Jordan: For everyone clamoring for cat updates: Kiki has now laid down in Araminta's lap. Luckily we got a cat whisperer with us. So we're all safe from cat-inflicted chaos for now. I will try to wrap this episode up before she gets any other ideas. I won't proclaim that this is the final episode, because who knows what will happen in the future? Derek and I have talked about starting producing content together in some form. Maybe we will find another mysterious case to investigate. But for now, this is it. This is the end of "Where is Araminta Green?". Because I now know where Araminta Green is. She is right here, next to me.

Araminta: Yes, I'm right here. Jordan found me.

Jordan: And Araminta found me.

Derek: And Jordan found me too! Just in a different way, like I was never missing.

Darcy: If Jungkook wants to find me, I'm here! Just email the podcast.

Kiki: Mrrrooowww!

Jordan: That's a good point, Kiki, and I think we'll end on that. Thank you everyone for listening.

[Eerie music starts]

Jordan: Subscribe to get notified about any new projects from Black Crow Productions.

[Crow caws]