The last time I saw Callie was a Wednesday.
All I can remember… she was walking towards the woods-barefoot, with her hair wet and eyes wide.
She turned around once, as if she wanted me to follow, but I didn’t. Everything else was a blur…
No one followed Callie.
Not then and not now.
Not since the last three people who did…never come back out.
The nosey town began a rumor and labeled her as a runaway.
When in all honesty, it was the woods. They allow you to run in and they won’t let you back out.
My name is Raye, and Callie was my best friend since forever. Our moms were college friends. They surprisingly became pregnant with us at the same time. We did everything together. Went to the same school, went on road trips, sleepovers, concerts, both on the soccer team and finding colleges together…then this mess happens.
I left our small town in Hallow Maryland, shortly after my junior year in high school. When Callie was never heard or seen from again, I wanted to leave. I couldn’t finish school in house and did a at home study for senior year. All due to constant nightmares. The same one re-played over and over again. Callie looking back at me, with wet hair, and eyes wide…
My dad stayed behind since he worked full time at the towns brewery, “Jale Ale”, and over saw my mom’s restaurant. It was passed down to her from her father. “Hallows” was the place. Named after the town of course. They sold southern cooking that warmed your soul. Best food in town and the holiday parties were always the best.
We have one funeral home, one bar, many restaurants not far away, bakery, deli, a few schools. Over all a quiet town with 800 residents. Now I’m back home with my mom, it’s 803.
It’s an everybody knows everybody, but not too nosey type of town. Enough space to get away and still have privacy. You learn to make privacy. That was until I started seeing Callie.
I was unpacking the car the day we got back, when I saw Callie out the corner of my eye. I turned and nothing was there. I kept unloading and that’s when I heard it. I heard her. She spoke my name. So startled, I hit my leg hard on bottom of the car.
“Ahh..shi..”
“ Hey! Are you okay? I saw you jump.”
