On the night in question, Hennessy is reported telling friends that Derringer had called her many times and had even called her parents trying to contact her. Hennessy admitted to a friend that she was a bit nervous as to what would happen when they saw each other again.
Late that night, students heard screams at the end of the hallway and found Hennessy in the corner of a dorm room, with Derringer on top of her, stabbing her repeatedly.
The students called 911 and Derringer fled the scene.
Karson Hennessy died from her injuries, and Derringer was later found dead of an apparent overdose.”
I sat back and inhaled slowly.
This was not exactly what I expected to find today. Karson was still here, still avoiding Brock after all this time.
My feet felt numb.
I closed my computer. Yeah, enough new discoveries for the day. I reached for my phone, tentatively. I couldn’t call Tyler; he was out with friends. Camryn was at a track thing, some kind of bonding deal. I really didn’t want to walk across campus by myself, even though my dorm was right next door. I shook off my silly fear. He was dead, it wasn’t like he could hurt me, right? In truth, I hadn’t ever dealt with an evil spirit like him. I slung the bag over my shoulder.
At the doors, I headed away from my dorm. Something drew me to the dining hall area, even though it would be closed. Maybe since I knew Karson’s story, maybe I would be able to connect with her, help her move on.
I approached the doors of the cafeteria. My feet were numb because of the frigid temperatures that permeated my shoes. I stomped them a bit to try and get the circulation to reach them again.
I looked around, making sure no students were catching me just standing on the frozen sidewalk. Movement in the corner of my eye caught my attention. It was Elizabeth. She sat on her front stairs, staring at me.
I inhaled and grounded myself. Taking a small step towards her, I smiled, “Hi Elizabeth, I was just working on finding out what happened to your mom.”
Her little face crinkled with annoyance. “You haven’t come back to see me in a long time.”
“I know, I’m sorry. I’ve been trying to find out what happened.” Ok it wasn’t totally a lie.
She stood up and put her hands on her hips. “Well, that wasn’t very nice. You should have come over.”
I took another step closer, “I know, and I am sorry. I will come back very soon, I promise.”
“Come play with me now,” she stepped down one more stair, and I felt the energy intensify. I focused on staying upright, looking for something to lean on.
“I can’t Elizabeth, I am meeting someone.”
Her face wrinkled again, “That boy? Are you meeting that boy?”
“No, I am meeting another friend. Her name is Karson, do you know her?”
Her head shook side to side. “No. Will she come play with me?”
I tipped my head, “No Elizabeth, I don’t think she can. It’s good to see you. I will come back soon, I promise,” I stepped back, exhaling, and relaxing a bit with the reduction of energy.
“Fine, don’t come play with me.” Her little body disappeared, and I instantly felt the energy cord snap loose.
I turned back towards the empty cafeteria and made my way back to the dorm.
Reaching my floor, I felt the electricity intensify. Brock was there. I took a deep breath. I swung the stair door open, stepping into the hall, knowing I would see him.
He stood with his back against the wall opposite my room. He’d been waiting. My stomach flipped slightly. Now that I knew the whole story about him, bile filled my mouth. The terrors that must have consumed Karson. The absolute fear, and pain. I wondered if she knew she was dying. I wondered if she was more shocked that he would actually stab her.
I swallowed, stepping forward.
He caught my eye and began walking toward me.
A boy stepped out of his room, directly into Brock. The boy looked at me, looked down the hall and turned away, visibly shivering. Brock turned back to me, stepping slowly, intentionally.
“Brock, I am not afraid of you, and even if I knew where Karson was, I would not tell you. You are a bully, a jerk, an abuser, and a murderer. You have no place here. Just leave.” My words echoed off the empty corridor. I imagined the screams in the hallway that was described by the witnesses. I wondered which room it has actually been in; did she still hang out there? Did Brock?
He stopped for a minute, looking at me.
I walked forward, “Leave, you do not belong on this earth. You took the cheap way out, you killed yourself so you wouldn’t have to deal with your actions. You’re nothing.” I thought of the room now, the aftermath that must have been left. I wondered how many coats of paint it took to cover up that type of crime. I wondered if the people quit shortly after, if the blood ever showed up in the small pores of the cinderblock.
His image flickered. Were my words affecting him?
I took another couple steps. “Leave. Seriously, Brock, you are pathetic. It is no wonder Karson broke up with you. She had a future without you, and you were so selfish, you couldn’t even let her have that.”
“I won’t be without her!” His words were loud, but thinner somehow. “She is mine.”
I laughed, albeit nervously, “Yeah, I don’t think so. Karson is not yours. Nothing is yours. You are dead, and you are alone.”
He flickered the tiniest bit. “I have to find her. She has
