Where Is Araminta Green? (ONC 2024)

Episode 6

[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, the sixth installment of the series, will give you testimony from the only person in the world who may know how to find her: Jane Underwood. Because Jane did exactly what I'm trying to do—find some who seemingly vanished into thin air—about eighty years ago when she found the missing sisters Araminta and Esmeralda Lee.

***

[Gravel crunches under car wheels]

Derek: Relax, Jordan. It's just an old lady. I'm sure she won't be dangerous.

Jordan (narrating): I wish I was as sure as Derek—who was the one who found Jane and offered to tag along to the interview—but there is no turning back now. An old house can be hinted at the end of the driveway. Moss paints the roof dark green and brown vines grip the walls. Perhaps the whole house would crumble if nature released its grip.

[Wind chimes]

Jordan (narrating): A woman stands in the driveway, ready to greet us. In a colorful white dress with red polka dots, she looks oddly misplaced in this environment.

[Car door closing]

Woman: Hi, I'm Susan. Jane's daughter. We've been expecting you.

Jordan: Sorry, we had a bit of trouble finding our way but we're here now. I'm Jordan, and this is my friend Derek, who I believe you spoke to on the phone earlier.

Susan: You're welcome, both of you. We don't get many guests out here. We're trying to sell the place since my mom is moving with me to Arizona but the remoteness and the repairs needed scare most people off. I'll give you a short tour before I take you to my Mom.

Jordan (narrating): Susan's welcoming and carefree demeanor sweeps away my qualms about the spooky-looking place. She appears to be in her mid-60s, with a pep to her step and hair coifed into an impressively high bun. Both Derek and I have to almost jog as we try to keep up with her while she shows us the grounds.

Susan (from far away): That's the gazebo. And over there are the stables. Then there is a path over there that leads to the lake.

[Gravel crunches]

Susan: And here, on the patio, my dear mother is waiting for you. Mom, the boys who wanted to talk to you are here!

Jordan (narrating): Susan has led us to the garden behind the house, which appears to be the only part of the grounds that is properly tended to. Neat rows of rose bushes and intricately shaped juniper bushes are planted around a patio paved with round stones where a woman with long gray hair sits. She smiles as we approach but her milky eyes appear to not quite see us.

Old woman: Welcome to my simple abode [snickers]. It's a bit rickety now but my eyes can't see the cracks anyway. But I can still smell the roses.

Jordan: Thank you! It is beautiful out here. You're Jane, I assume.

Old woman: I've forgotten a lot of names but I do remember that one. I suppose one never forgets their own name.

Derek: I have... after a lot of tequila.

Jane: Well, my daughter no longer allows me to indulge in strong liquor so I wouldn't be able to blame any lapses in memory on that.

Susan: [sighs] It's the doctors who say alcohol isn't good for your heart, mom. It's not just me trying to be mean.

Jordan (narrating): Jane at this point sticks her tongue out toward her daughter, who snickers in reply.