Torey Hayden

Torey Hayden is the main character and narrator of this novel. She has just left her job at the Sandry Clinic in a large town to teach a small group of special education children in the small town of Pecking. Although she takes a cut in pay and also distances herself from her colleagues, Torey writes that she wanted the teaching job in Pecking. It is apparent that Torey enjoys working with children, even those who are difficult to handle. She also meets conflict head-on. This aspect of her personality is demonstrated when she works with Jadie on the first day of school and successfully gets her to talk when others had failed.

Torey also has the courage to follow her gut instinct when it tells her that something is wrong. When Torey first received the tape recorded message from Jadie which appeared to be a cry...