This week, I reposted the second part of the story to catch up to anyone who hasn’t had a chance to read about Delia’s night visitor. While standing by her open bedroom window, attempting to locate the sound she heard, Delia hatched a plan. She wanted to get the girl who lives a few miles away, her closest neighbor, to spend some time at her house. Let’s see how that went:
Lunchtime. Delia sauntered to the table closest to her neighbor, the girl, Alaina. The cafeteria appeared empty today as there were several field trips among the upperclassmen. Alaina’s jet black hair, blue in the light of the florescent bulbs overhead was long and thick. The girl had a full tray of salad with a plate of macaroni and cheese and wore a nice woolen sweater which Delia noted appeared expensive. She wondered as she walked by what the girl’s parents did as her parents didn’t know them. Yet. Delia looked down at her macaroni and cheese, feeling unhealthy, but at least she had enough money to buy, instead of brown bagging lunch which was not stylish among her classmates. She already had a difficult morning convincing her dad she needed lunch money when her mother had already packed the usual peanut butter and jelly. She had lied telling him she wanted something healthier. So here she was, feeling guilty about her choice.
Delia inhaled and mustered up the courage to speak.
“That looks really good. I should have gotten a salad.”
Alaina turned and looked up at Delia. Delia wasn’t expecting a smile.
“It comes with it if you ask.” Alaina offered.
The girl self-consciously pulled at an earring, a gold stud. She smiled at Delia as she looked back.
“You must be the new girl.” A boy, Charles, tall and lanky with sweeping hair combed over one eye grinned from across the table. He stood and put out a hand to offer a chair. It was just the two of them at the table.
“Come join us. Everyone else is on a field trip.”
Alaina smiled nervously and glanced at the boy. “She lives near me. Sort of.”
Delia chuckled, almost too nervous. She placed her tray next to Alaina’s and sat, reaching for her fork.
“I do.” Delia replied to both. “I’m Delia.”
“That’s awesome, right Alaina? Oh, I’m Charles. This is Alaina.”
“Sorta. Her backyard’s almost to the creek. Right?”
Delia’s eyes took on a wide and surprised look as she chewed. “Creek?”
“Yeah.’ Charles added. ‘You must have known. Really.”
Alaina sips a soda through a straw, studying Delia’s face. She smiles secretively. “You mean you don’t know?”
Charles leans forward, almost hovering over his tray as Alaina warms to the theme.
“No, I didn’t know. Tell me.” Delia’s curiosity replaces her timidity.
Charles claps his hands, now excited. “Go on. Tell her.”
“Heck, no.” Laughs Alaina. She looks over at Delia, widening her eyes.
“Tell me. Really!” Delia is almost besides herself. She feels she had found some fun friends.
“Okay… first, tell me what you know so far….” Alaina pushes her now empty tray and folds her arms, leaning back. Charles grins with a glint in his eye.
“Okay, so I walk after school…”
“Shit, what else is there to do unless you get pizza and ice cream at Dilbert’s!” Charles chuckles.
“Shut up and listen!” Comments Alaina.
“Where do you walk?” Charles continues.
“Please… let her talk!” Alaina impatiently qualifies.
“I walk towards Mount Adams as it’s just a few miles from my backyard.”
“Whoa. Keep going…” Charles noisily munches on some chips, the sound makes Delia think of the movies. She craves to see one.
“Then one day…”
“Yeah. You stumble into a creek?” Alaina asks.
“Nope. A well.”
Charles’ mouth opens, chips still in it.
“Yup. A well. Real deep… no water that I can tell, though.” Delia’s now onto something as she senses both of her new friends tense up. Electric.
“Is this like… you know… THE RING?!” Alaina appears enthralled by horror movies.
Delia nods seriously. “Yup. Like the Ring.”
“Ohhhh… we should call you Naomi! Ha ha ha…” Charles laughs, his loud voice catching the attention of nearby tables.
“Shut up.” Alaina said, rocking back and forth in her chair. She leans forward, whispering.
“My hair is long and black like that girl’s in the movie!” She chuckles, plaiting her hair.
“Thanks, Charles. But I don’t think I look like Naomi Watts.” Delia simpers, feeling herself blush.
“So what’s in the well, Del… or rather, Naomi?”
The first bell rings to announce the lunch as over.
“Oh, fuck. Come on!” Alaina curses like a bus driver. Charles laughs.
“Dilbert’s? After school?” Alaina extends an invitation.
“Sure!” Delia laughs, glad she had made some friends. She stands, taking her tray back to the lunch ladies’ line to drop off. She digs into her pockets hoping she has some change for an ice cream cone.
So far her plan is on track.
Stay tuned until next week when we find out if Delia succeeds in bringing Alaina, and maybe even Charles to the well…. WHAT is in the well? What’s in the creek? What do the kids know?
