As soon as I heard them talking with such fervor, I whipped out my phone and checked the trending topics, and there it was—a post featuring a video clip from that night Jaylan and his family went out to pay their respects at the graveyard.
The title of the post was a warning—"Be careful when lighting candles—fire safety first, don't get burned!"
Perhaps it was the sheer shock value of the video, the unexpected nature of the event, or the hint of paranormal activity that caught the attention of netizens. The post quickly gained traction and drew a flood of online traffic.
Some users zoomed in on the video and took screenshots, trying to captivate the audience even more. Before long, some eagle-eyed netizens started to notice something amiss.
First, someone pointed out that the face in the photo propped up in the video belonged to Evan.
Next, it was revealed that the very spot where the tribute was held was where the police had found Evan's body!
The online community exploded with curiosity and speculation. The intensity of the internet sleuthing was unimaginable.
Before long, the focus turned to Jaylan, and it was confirmed that the person who suffered burns was Jaylan's mother, Hazel! At this, the public outcry began anew. Questions arose about Evan's identity, and why the Dawson family hadn't come forward during the search to claim the child as one of their own.
Conjectures and theories abounded, each more inventive than the last.
I knew the internet was powerful, but I had never anticipated this magnitude of response. In just a short while, the online world was hit by a tsunami of reactions.
People began to question the Dawsons' motives. Was the midnight tribute an act of guilt, or grief? Was it to console their own spirits, or to appease the dead? Was it an acknowledgment or an attempt to shift blame?
The accusations varied, but the sentiment was the same. And within an hour, people were already at the hospital where Hazel was being treated, looking for the truth to confirm the stories circulating online.
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