Chapter 7: Sodor Christmas Market

(Wednesday December 7th: 9:10am)

Carrie and her father stepped up to the gateway to Ralph's house and waited for Simon to arrive. It had snowed very heavily during the night and the roofs of all the buildings in sight, the roads and the tops of all the cars were covered in a thick layer of fresh, crisp white snow. The sky – as far as the eye could see – was covered with thick grey clouds that threatened to unleash more snow over the Island of Sodor at a moment's notice. The air was very cold, no doubt a little below freezing point, and Carrie could see her breath come out of her nose and mouth in dense white clouds. The only good thing was that there was no wind this morning, otherwise it would have been unbearable with the wind-chill.

Carrie was wearing a thick warm coat, gloves, a scarf around her neck as well as a pair of warm waterproof boots that were lined with fur on the inside, which would help to keep her feet nice and warm on this freezing cold day.

"You just go and have the best time of your life at the Christmas Market today, Carrie. And don't be afraid to try whatever foods you want to try there. It's a paradise for those who love their Christmas food. I know, because I've been there a few times." Ralph said, as he smiled at Carrie.

"I will, dad. I've never been to a Christmas market before, so I'm looking forward at what to expect there." Carrie said, as she smiled at the thought of the day ahead. For as long as she could remember, Chamberlain had never had a Christmas market before. She never knew the exact reason for it, but there'd been calls for one by many people in town for some years who'd experienced them in places like New York, Boston and Cleveland to name but a few.

Then they heard the sound of a car horn and turned their heads to look up the street. They saw a bright red car, and a face on the front, with Simon right behind the wheel, driving slowly down the snowy street towards them before coming to a gentle stop in front of them.

"Good morning, Carrie. Morning, Ralph." Simon said, as he opened the driver's side door and stepped outside into the crisp cold.

"Good morning back, Simon. Ready to take Carrie out for the day?" Ralph asked.

"Yes, sir. I am. I'm also looking forward to getting to the market and trying out what's on offer today." Simon said, as he smiled at the thought of all that Christmas food on offer.

"Now please take care of Carrie today, Simon. I expect to see her back here at the end of the day in one piece." Ralph said.

"I will, sir. Don't you worry, I'll take care of her, and I'll do my best to make sure that she has a great time today." said Simon.

"Very good Simon, very good. Anyway, I'd best be off to work you two. After all, I've got a very busy day ahead of me today." Ralph said.

"More iron ore trains to take today, dad?" Carrie asked.

"No, not today, Carrie, thank goodness for that. But we've got a few ships from Ireland and Continental Europe arriving at Brendam Docks and at Knapford Harbour this morning, and they're carrying with them a lot of freight and refrigerated perishable goods that need to be delivered today. I'll see you two later." Ralph said, as he headed off down the street to the bus stop, as Bertie the Bus was due to go past there within the next five minutes.

"Good luck today, Ralph." Simon said.

"Hello there, Carrie." said Simon's car, as she smiled up at Carrie.

"Ah, hello back." Carrie said, as she smiled back down at the car.

"Carrie, this is my car. Her name is Caroline." Simon said.

"It's nice to meet you, and I hope Simon has treated you well." Caroline said.

"Well, of course he had. Has he done the same for you?" asked Carrie.

"Of course; Simon has treated me very well ever since he started driving me last year after he passed his driving test first time round." Caroline said.

"That's nice to hear." Carrie said, as she smiled at Simon.

"Well…the reason I treat her well is Caroline doesn't like being driven very fast you see, as it overheats her engine far too easily." Simon said.

"So, you like to go nice and easily on the roads?" Carrie asked, as she looked back at Caroline.

"That's right. And since he started driving me, Simon has been true to his word….as he promised he would." Caroline said.

"Well, that's a nice thing to hear, Caroline…but shall we get going to the Christmas before it gets too busy in town?" Carrie asked.

"Of course, and that's why I came by a little earlier, so we could get there safely and in plenty of time just in case there were icy roads on the way there. We've got time; the Christmas market doesn't open up until 10:00am." Simon said, and he and Carrie climbed in, with Simon behind the wheel and Carrie in the front passenger seat. Carrie deeply appreciated the fact that the heat in the air conditioning was working fine. When their seatbelts were put on, Simon started the engine and they set off down the road.

(A short while later)

After a steady drive which only lasted for a few minutes, Simon carefully parked Caroline in a car park at the back of a small three storey office building just off the street only a hundred yards or so away from where the Christmas market was being held.

"And there we are…all safely parked." said Simon, as he put on the handbrake and then switched off the ignition.

"Well done, Simon." Carrie said.

"Thanks Carrie. I'll leave Caroline parked here. She'll be quite safe until we get back." Simon said, as he and Carrie unbuckled their seatbelts and got out.

"Has Simon ever parked you here before, Caroline?" Carrie asked, after she got out and went round to speak to Caroline.

"Many times, Carrie. Besides, it's out of sight of the main road and so it's much safer for me to be parked in a place like this behind a building like this instead of out on the main road. Out of sight out of mind, as they say." Caroline said.

"That's a good idea that." Carrie said.

"Come on, Carrie. Let's get our-selves over to the Christmas market. There's so much going on there that you've got to see." Simon said.

"All right…we'll see you later on today, Caroline." Carrie said, as she and Simon headed out towards the front of the building and the street beyond as Caroline, after giving them a grateful smile and wishing them the best of luck, dozed off.

As Carrie and Simon headed down the snowy street and then approached the large town hall where the market was being held, Carrie could see there were lots of different stalls inside the grounds all-round the hall, and there were even some stalls sitting outside on both sides of the main gate. There was even a Helter Skelter sitting in one corner of the hall grounds. On the outside of the grounds, there were more stalls lined up along the front wall, all of which had gifts, clothes, ornaments and different foods being readied for customers doing their Christmas shopping.

Outside the main gates, where a number of security people were keeping an eye on things, a sign fitted to the gate were showed the times when the Christmas market was opening; today, the morning opening time was 10:00am on the dot.

"So, the market doesn't open until 10:00am?" Carrie asked, as they stopped on the opposite side of the street from the town hall.

"Yes, Carrie. That's just so all the traders can get themselves set up and ready in time to receive customers." said Simon.

"Well, if that's the case, shall we go and do something between now and then?" Carrie asked.

"Sure, I know some good coffee shops along this street where we could go and get something hot to drink. And all of them have upstairs seating with wide windows that look out directly into the grounds of the town hall." Simon said.

"Sounds like a plan to me…let's go get that hot drink and get ourselves warmed up." Carrie said, as she rubbed her gloved hands together vigorously and they walked further along the street amongst those going about their Christmas shopping.

They soon stopped into one of Simon's favourite coffee shops and, after they ordered hot drinks, as well as whatever pastries they wanted. After paying for their purchases and getting them from the shop staff, they went and sat upstairs by one of the large windows. From there, Carrie could see that they could indeed look directly into the grounds of the town hall where all the stalls were being set up.

"Is there always a Christmas market here every year?" Carrie asked, as she sipped her tea.

"There always is, from mid-November until two days before Christmas, and traders from all over come to sell their food products, gifts and Christmas decorations." said Simon.

"And do they really come from everywhere?" Carrie asked.

"Absolutely, traders are not only from here on Sodor, but they come over from the British mainland, Ireland and from Continental Europe as well. Pastry chefs from France and the Netherlands, chocolatiers from Belgium and many different Christmas food specialists from Germany, Italy, Spain, Norway, Greece and many other countries. In fact, just last year, a new stall came in with people from Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, and they serve out a very traditional Danish mulled wine. Now I've never tried any of it myself, as I'm not yet old enough yet to try it, but it certainly smells very Christmassy with those spices and flavours used to make it." Simon said.

"And how many stalls can we expect to see?" Carrie asked as she looked out the window. She could see there were lots of stalls, so many in fact she couldn't count them.

"Well, the numbers keep growing year to year. When it first started out about…10 or so years back, there were only 25 to 30 stalls in there, but more of them come each year, and this year there's well over 160 stalls with plenty of food and gifts on offer for people to choose from." Simon said, as he glanced outside at the stalls being readied within the town hall grounds.

"And what kind of food is there to enjoy? I've never been to a Christmas market before in my life, so I really don't know exactly what to expect at one." Carrie said.

"There're all sorts of things to get there, from hot foods like burgers, French fries and full dinners all the way to different varieties of mouth-watering cakes and pastries, such as French custard slices and Apple tarts, hot mulled cider and wine, really rich hot chocolate - always topped with whipped cream, marshmallows and powdered chocolate - as well as all different types of candy, chocolate and other things like that as well as selections of drinks. There's also plenty of gift stalls where you can buy gifts of all different varieties and types you want to get, such as jewellery, soft toys, slippers and even sheepskin rugs. Some of the gift stalls even include free gift wrapping as well." said Simon.

"And does the market stay open into the night as well?" Carrie asked.

"It does, on the weekends it stays open until about 11:00pm, I think. And the evening is one of the really best times to go there, as there's so much going on and the Christmas lights are all turned on, lively and traditional Christmas music is playing, and the atmosphere is really a nice and festive one. And of course, with plenty of good food and drink to go with it as well." Simon said.

Carrie was very impressed, and deep down she hoped that before Christmas they could go to the market at least once when night had fallen, as she wanted to experience what a Christmas market at night was like.

"And will I get a chance to experience that sometime before Christmas?" she asked.

"Most certainly, and I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I always do." Simon said. Carrie smiled, and they continued sipping their hot drinks, nibbling on their pastries and talking until just a shade after 10:00am, when they left the coffee shop and went across the street and into the Christmas Market.

(In the Christmas market a little later)

Carrie was looking round in awe as she and Simon walked along together side by side, her senses were under assault from multiple directions at once as she tried to take in everything that she saw, heard and smelt, and there were lots of delicious smells coming in from everywhere.

At many of the different stalls, there were lots of delicious looking foods to choose from, ranging from burgers and fries, whole pigs and large sides of beef being cooked on spits over hot barbecue-like fires, different sizes and styles of woks filled with varieties of noodles, shrimps, vegetables and meats, potatoes and other stalls selling many other kinds of hot foods from all over the world.

Other stalls were selling drinks, including different varieties of mulled wine from all over Europe, all rich with the smells of cinnamon, mulled spices and cloves, steaming hot chocolate and coffee. There were also many stalls about that offered a wide and mouth-watering selection of delicious-looking pastries, cakes, different chocolates and other confections. There were even some stalls selling ice cream, with all the flavours, in bright and vivid colours, on display in large freezers under protective glass.

And many other stalls at the market sold gifts, ranging from hand crafted wooden toys painted in very bright colours all the way up to Christmas sweaters and scarfs as well as an enormous selection of jewellery and Christmas decorations in all shapes, sizes and colours to choose from. There was also a carousel ride at one end of the grounds and even a stall very near to that where people, all wrapped up in their warm clothes, were roasting marshmallows and s'mores over a gas fuelled fire within fake charcoal.

There was even one stall selling chocolate kisses, which were basically marshmallows in the shape of a bell with a wafer base and covered with a thin layer of chocolate, and there were all different flavours to choose from, including milk and white chocolate, gingerbread, caramel, white chocolate, run and raisin, and strawberry.

"So, Carrie…what shall we try first?" Simon asked, as he looked at Carrie. She looked round, searching for a stall that caught her attention.

"Let's go over here." Carrie said, pointing to a stall very near to them and they went over. The stall specialised in selling delicious pastries from Central Europe, all of which were under a glass covering to keep them protected and they all looked quite delicious. Ice cream with a good variety of different sauces and toppings was also on offer.

"Good choice, Carrie. I really love the pastries this stall sells, and this one is my favourite." Simon said, pointing to a pastry on one side. It was a dark brown on the outside and looked like a rolled-up cylinder.

"What are those pastries?" Carrie asked, as her eyebrows went up a little and the tip of her tongue slowly ran along the outside of her lips.

"Those pastries are known as Trdelník, and they're a form of pastry from the Czech Republic and covered with a cinnamon sugar. And one of my favourites to try here, particularly when filled with ice cream and topped with sauce." Simon said.

"Well let's try it then." Carrie said, with a smile.

A little over two minutes later, both Carrie and Simon had a Trdelník pastry in their hands, with paper napkins round them and filled with a very rich and creamy vanilla ice cream with a chunk or two of chocolate brownie and topped with salted caramel sauce. They went over to a sheltered and heated seating area where they could sit down at the table and enjoy their pastries and not get in anyone's way.

"Hmm…this is really nice. I've never tried any pastry like this before and this is really delicious." Carrie said, as she took a bite out from the cinnamon flavoured pastry and savoured it along with the icy creaminess of the ice cream.

"I told you…and I hope you'll try a few more delicious things today." Simon said, as he ate his Trdelník with ice cream as well. Carrie felt herself smile; this day, very cold and snowy though it was, was turning into one of the best days of her life so far and she was very hopeful that it would get a bit better as the day went on.

(A little later)

"Have a look over here, Carrie." Simon said, as he led them over to another of the stalls. This one specialised in different Christmas decorations. There was an enormous variety on offer, from bright and shiny baubles, mistletoe, little Santa's and nutcrackers that could be hung on Christmas trees as well as bright red and green wreaths and Christmas stockings in bright red, green and white, and other decorations that would be placed around Christmas trees, like model houses, or mounted on walls or around the bannisters of staircases. Many of the smaller decorations could also be personalised with names along the bottom.

"Wow, I've never seen so many Christmas decorations here at any time before." Carrie said, as she looked round in awe. That was a true statement; back in Chamberlain, where no Christmas market had yet been seen, the most that she'd seen before now were in one of the smaller shops in the leadup to Christmas, which she and Margaret had never celebrated before due to her mother's fanatical religious views.

"Do you see any that you want to buy?" Simon asked.

"I think I'll buy…one of these." Carrie said, as she pointed to one; it was about the size of her hand and was of a jolly Santa Claus waving from his sleigh.

"Oh, I got my mother one of those decorations last year and we put it on the tree on Christmas Eve." Simon said, as he smiled at Carrie's choice.

"Okay, and shall we get this personalised?" Carrie asked, as she lifted one of the decorations.

"Certainly, and we can do it over here." Simon said, as he pointed to the desk in the corner where a woman was sitting with a computer and a specialised machine, ready to help personalise decorations.

A few minutes later, with the decoration she wanted personalised with her own name and in a little bag, Carrie and Simon made their way from the stall.

"Do you think that'll look nice on your Christmas tree later?" Simon asked.

"I really hope it will. Dad and I are planning to put our Christmas tree and lights up either this evening after he gets back or tomorrow morning, as he has tomorrow off." Carrie said.

(Early afternoon)

After walking around for most of the morning and going to many of the different stalls and trying out many of the different foods and seeing what was on offer, as well as buying a few things including gifts and two big boxes of different flavour cupcakes from a stall near the front entrance of the town hall.

They bought a hotdog each at a stall where long hotdog sausages were being cooked over a large hot smoky barbecue. The stall had a roof that had a pointed tip to it, and as a result the smoke from the barbecue rose up and accumulated in the roof until it was spilling out from the sides into the cold winter air, just like with a few of the other stalls in the market.

After getting their hotdogs, the pair then went over to a large, sheltered area, which was set up as a German style pub with a well-stocked bar lining one end of the space, and heaters mounted high up on the walls, where they could enjoy their lunch in comfort.

Their hotdogs were in paper napkins and were topped with fried onions and the sauces they wanted, Simon put ketchup and Carrie's hotdog had barbecue sauce.

After they sat down, Simon went over to the bar and bought back to the table two cans of icy cold Coca Cola so they could wash their food down.

"Thanks, Simon." Carrie said, as she tucked into her hotdog.

"No problem at all, Carrie. Let's get these into us and get warmed up." Simon said. And nodding in agreement, Carrie and Simon tucked into their hotdogs. Amongst them at the other simple tables near them, many other people were also enjoying their food and drinks, including tankards of German beer and beer of different flavours, including strawberry beer, raspberry beer, cherry beer, mango beer and, the strangest of all, banana beer. From behind the bar at the other end of the room, the four bartenders served out different drinks to thirsty customers, including soft drinks, cocktails and beer, with ice or no ice if the customers so desired.

For Carrie, this was such a comfortable atmosphere and the fact that Simon accepted her for who she was, unlike everyone back home in Chamberlain, and never made fun of her at all. He was also deeply sympathetic of her when she had told him everything about her previous life back in the States, and he promised to be the best friend he could to her, something Carrie deeply appreciated.

Carrie was also pleased that the engines of Sodor had promised that they would help her as best as they could, and that was something she was very happy to accept. Smiling a small smile, she opened her can of Coca Cola and took a sip from her drink before she continued eating away at her hotdog.

(Early evening)

Carrie and Simon, feeling very tired after such a long day together at the Christmas market, and having bought a few more things while they were there, including French custard slices, chocolate Yule Logs and crème brulee tarts, lemon tarts and apple tarts, left the grounds of the town hall and walked back to where Caroline was parked. They'd been on their feet for much of the day and they were feeling very tired, but they were both still in very good spirits and feeling very satisfied after a very good day. Carrie was feeling very happy and feeling a little bit full, from having tried out so many different foods at the different stalls.

There had been plenty of Christmas music being played, some over the P.A. system set up in the grounds, and people singing at a stage set up at one end of the grounds. At one point, Simon and Carrie had joined in with singing traditional Christmas carols being played by the band on the stage. And it wasn't just them; quite a few other people had joined in too, creating a very festive, jolly atmosphere.

In the very middle of the grounds in front of the hall, an enormous Christmas tree, all decorated with many brightly coloured lights and shiny colourful decorations proudly stood, and under which sat a large number of presents all wrapped up in very bright and colourful wrapping paper and shiny ribbons. There had been lots of fun playing games at some of the stalls where, although they didn't win anything, they'd had a very good time.

"How did you enjoy the day, Carrie?" Simon asked, as they walked together side by side.

"I really enjoyed today, Simon. I really hope we can do something like this again very soon." Carrie said, as she smiled a very big smile.

"Oh, I really hope so. I really enjoyed today as well." Simon said, as he smiled as well.

They soon arrived at the car park where Caroline was still safely parked. She woke up when she heard them approach through the cleared and gritted car park.

"Hello, you two." Caroline said, as they came up to her.

"Hey Caroline." Carrie said, with a smile on her face.

"Hi Caroline, sorry we took longer than we thought." Simon said, as he took his car keys out from his pocket and opened the doors.

"Oh, that's all right. I'm just pleased to see you both had a good time today." Caroline said, as she smiled up at them, as they loaded their purchases from the Christmas Market into the back seats.

"Are you ready to head home?" Carrie asked.

"Yes I am." Caroline said happily, as Simon started the engine. It wouldn't be too long before Caroline's engine had warmed up, and she would feel much better.

"Come on, Carrie. Let's head on home." Simon said, and Carrie quickly got inside and buckled up her seatbelt.

(Not long later)

Simon gently pulled Caroline in along the side of the street just outside the White Residence in Knapford, where Ralph could be seen standing inside the gate waiting for them to arrive. He was looking tired after the long day he had gone through, having been working moving a long and very heavy mixed freight train from Knapford Harbour to Vicarstown over the island's northern line, and then taking another equally long and heavy mixed freight from the yards at Vicarstown back to Knapford Station. That job was soon followed by another job; going down to Brendam Docks and collecting another very long heavy train, this consisting of fully laden 21-ton grain hopper wagons, to bring to the yards near to Tidmouth.

After such a long and tiring day of work, moving freight and delivering refrigerated goods and perishable items to the other side of Sodor before coming back again, Ralph was very tired and eager to have a really good long rest tonight. He was particularly glad to have the next day off, where he and Carrie could get a chance to get the Christmas tree and decorations up.

"Evening Carrie, Simon. Did you both have a good time together today? he asked, as they stepped out of Caroline.

"Hey dad. We had a fantastic time at the Christmas market today." Carrie said, as she took her bags with her purchases out from the back seats.

"I think I managed to show Carrie a good time today, Ralph. She really enjoyed herself." Simon said, as he smiled a broad smile himself.

"Well done, Simon. Really good work. And I suppose you both tried enough food there which means both of you probably won't need dinner this evening?" Ralph said.

"Yes sir, we did. We both tried a little bit of everything, and we both had some good-sized burgers before we left the market, so we're both well-fortified." Simon said, as he and Carrie looked at each other and smiled.

"Yeah, I'm feeling stuffed after today, dad." Carrie said, with a smile.

"That's good." Ralph said with a smile, before he looked up into the sky; the sky which had been clear up until a few moments before was now starting to become cloudy as a wide band of dense clouds rolled in from the northwest.

"Well, I think you'd better get yourself and Caroline back home as soon as possible, Simon. It looks like there's gonna be more snow on the way tonight." Ralph said.

"All right, Ralph. I think that might be a wise idea." Simon said.

But before Simon got back into Caroline so he could head on his way home, he turned to look at Carrie.

"I'm very glad you enjoyed today, Carrie." he said.

"Me too, Simon. I really hope that we can go to the Christmas market again before Christmas, but this time during the evening time, when it's all lit up nice and bright." Carrie said, as she smiled.

"I'm glad, Carrie. And don't worry, I guarantee that we'll go to the Christmas market again on some evening before Christmas." Simon said, as he and Carrie gave each other a warm, appreciative hug, something that Ralph smiled at. Even Caroline looked pleased.

"Anyway…you'd best get yourself on home." Carrie said, after a moment, as they pulled apart.

"Of course…shall I see you tomorrow morning?"

"Certainly, I'd love to spend some more time with you." Carrie said.

"Okay, I'll see you in the morning. Good night, Carrie, Ralph." said Simon, as he got back into Caroline and closed the door behind him. Giving a friendly toot on the horn, and a wave out the window, Simon headed on his way home.

"Let's get inside and out of the cold, Carrie, and get a hot drink and get warmed up by the fire. I'm looking forward to trying out some of those cakes you bought at the market today." Ralph said, as he rubbed his cold hands together in anticipation.

"Okay, dad. I'm really looking forward to trying these cakes too. I also bought a selection of brownies and some other nice pastries too." Carrie said, as she glanced down at the large bag she was holding in one hand; one of the stalls at the market had a good selection of cupcakes on offer, including death by chocolate, red velvet, lemon meringue and vanilla sprinkles to name just a few of the different varieties on offer. And without wasting another moment, they stepped inside the house.

(Chamberlain, Maine; a few hours later, local time 19:00pm)

A large gathering of local people, as well as many of the students and teachers from Ewen High School, congregated together in one of the parks in town to hold a candlelit vigil for Carrie, in the hopes that she would hopefully be found and brought home.

Among those congregating together on this winter evening were Sue and Tommy, and they stood together with many of those from the school, holding lit candles in their hands, all of which were in glass jars so as to catch any melted wax.

It was a bitterly cold evening with heavy snow on the ground, being up to two feet deep in places, and the bitter cold night air, with everyone's breath being seen in dense white clouds streaming from their mouths and noses, caused all to shiver somewhat, despite the fact many were wearing heavy winter clothing and warm footwear.

Standing very close to Sue was Norma Watson; normally Norma was one of the peppiest students in Ewen High with her very positive mood and over-friendly ways. But now, she had on her face a sombre look and was wearing a black overcoat over her clothes as well as a black winter hat, both were almost like symbols of mourning at a time like this.

"Has there been any recent news of Carrie?" she asked Sue.

"No Norma, nothing extremely recent in the news or from the police that can shed any light on what may have happened." Sue said, solemnly.

"Yeah, well…at least we know that Margaret's still securely in custody." Tommy said. That they all knew well; Margaret White was still undergoing extensive mental tests to determine just how her mental state was. Having been diagnosed with severe schizophrenia amongst other mental conditions, the doctors were still working away on finding any other severe mental conditions Margaret had.

The White residence on Carlin Street was still being looked over by the investigators and there was still police tape and patrolling police guards round the place to keep people away.

A lot of the belongings and other things that were felt to be important to Carrie had been removed from the house and placed into long-term storage so they could be returned to her when, or if, Carrie ever came home to Chamberlain. At the same time, the investigators were looking for any further pieces of evidence that would implicate Margaret in the abuse of Carrie, based on the extensive information in the book that Carrie had left behind.

With the information Carrie had left behind having been thoroughly looked over, the case had taken a far more serious turn than it had before. It had turned from a simple missing person's case to a criminal investigation, with the F.B.I, the local Child Protective Services (C.P.S.) and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (A.S.P.C.C.) now all involved in the case, and all of whom were very eager to find out what had happened in the White Residence at 47 Carlin Street, meaning Margaret White was now in potentially more serious trouble than she had been before.

At the same time, missing person posters, which had been put up by the police, with Carrie's picture on them had appeared on lampposts, notice boards and on walls around Chamberlain.

Missing:

Have you seen this girl?

Picture of Carrie

Carrietta "Carrie" Nicole White

Age: 16; Height: 5' 5"; Weight: 130 pounds.

Hair Colour: Strawberry Blonde

Eye Colour: Green

Was last seen early on the morning of November 19 before disappearing.

Believed to have taken a bus down from Chamberlain down to Portland, Maine, where she was last seen not long after.

Believed to be very vulnerable, due to constant bullying and torment from her sadistic classmates,

as well as having been badly abused by her mother Margaret White.

If you have seen or have any information about Carrie, please call the Chamberlain Police Department with the number below.

Close by to Sue and Tommy stood Rita Desjardin, who was equally well wrapped up in warm clothes, and also holding a lit candle within a glass jar. She had an uncertain and forlorn look on her face; it was just the uncertainty of knowing whether or not Carrie was alive or where she was, as well as not knowing where she may be found or when she may be found or if she would return to Chamberlain at all.

Dotted among the slow growing crowd of local residents within the park were many others from Ewen High School, both students and teachers alike, as well as a large number of well-known local people from various businesses within town, all of whom were holding lit candles in jars and keeping a solemn vigil as a smartly dressed local official standing in a raised area before the gathered crowd made a speech.

However, noticeably absent from the gathering crowd were Chris Hargensen and her boyfriend, local "tough guy" Billy Nolan. They were spending the evening together at the Kelly Fruit Company diner not too far away while the place was quiet. A few of the others from Ewen High, and a few other people from within Chamberlain, were also absent from the well-attended vigil this evening, citing "other commitments" as the reason.

Sue and Tommy were both somewhat disgusted at the fact that Chris wasn't taking part in this vigil, when some of the others who weren't there genuinely couldn't attend due to the fact that they had their own jobs to do. And almost everyone else in school and quite a few other people in town were disgusted as well, but most of them quickly shook away those thoughts. Sue looked up and concentrated on what was happening before her, as well as making sure she didn't burn herself with hot melted wax from the candle she was carrying.

Then music started to play from somewhere close by and people began singing along with the song to show their support, and Sue and Tommy did so as well, as they wondered where Carrie was and what had become of her.