As the sun peaked out from the sharp clouds and gleamed bright in the azure sky, it was hard to believe that it was already five o'clock in the afternoon, a time when every family should already arrive home from work to await dinner. And yet a horde of Chicago residents gathered around the corroded electronic news-reporting billboard next to the promenade of Lake Otterrial as if it was the most normal thing to do.
The electronic billboard was in fact the closest thing these people had instead of a TV that could only be bought by the most wealthy in town. When the electronic board flashed the worldwide evening news, everyone's muscles tightened and eyes widened as the news reporter began to speak with a tone of concern.
"On Friday the thirteenth of August, 1982, a teenage boy was reported missing in Chicago, Illinois. This is the first case of disappearance reported in Chicago— the twelfth case worldwide. The police had sent search parties and are now in position. Scientists had also begun an analysis for the pattern of disappearance. During this extreme time, it would be best to stay at home and pay closer attention to your personal possessions and your children." With a buzz, the news cut off and left the citizens with their mouths hanging open, and within seconds, the silence was broken by a clamorous uproar.
"Oh, no, no! A boy missing from Chicago today?! What should still be done? Good heavens! Pardon me for my past mistakes, but please don't take my life away. Amen." An old woman crossed her fingers and murmured a prayer.
Many followed her, while others began to shout out their opinions, their voice continuously adding layers of disagreements to the commotion. Most were just comforted by the fact that the boy who had disappeared wasn't their own child. Everyone, including the younger children who had started to wail and scream through hiccups, could sense the fear gathering in the atmosphere. Soon, the stressed people began to dismiss, leaving the lake once again abandoned, with only the accompaniment of the billboard continuing to report other daily news.
Alas, those who had disappeared went to a place where no human being could ever find, a place without fish and chips, without amusement parks, and perhaps, had also disappeared for a reason that no one will ever find out why.