Part 14

The cool night air wrapped around us filling our lungs with the crisp vapors. My first thought was to ask Norton how in the heck he had ended up under this slab of concrete. James was the first to break the night silence," Norton, dude, do you know how many people are looking for you? Man what are you doing?” his tone sounding almost demanding.
         Norton sat there for the first few seconds without saying a word. I could tell that he was not even sure where to begin. It was clear to me that Norton had never intended to be discovered, especially here in this place with these people.

“Hey Norton, do you know how much we've missed you?" I asked, trying to sound sympathetic.
         For what seemed like too long of a time, we all occupied the same space without saying a word. Norton seemed as though he was trying to collect his thoughts. James and I simply wanted an answer. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Norton began to speak. From the get-go, there was the sound and feeling of too much sorrow. "You missed me? You've missed me.....! Nobody even cares that I'm gone. I was an invisible spirit, moving amongst those of you that felt as though you had great purpose." He paused for a moment watching us feeling his pain.
         Dropping the shaggy blanket, Norton stood up, leaned over, and neatly covered the person beside him. He took a step forward standing face to face with James, looking him square in the eye.  I had never seen Norton looking so abundantly clear about his thoughts. With the next few words, the invisible Norton would come to life. “James, Simone, you don't know me, no one knows me. Somewhere in this town, deep, dark, hidden secrets could very well destroy everything I have believed in." Taking a step back, Norton squatted down to the bundle of cloth that covered the unidentified person sitting on the cold pavement.
          What would be revealed tonight would change the course of not only Norton's life, but of all of us in Woodberry. Nothing would ever be the same.