Augustine's footsteps echoed through the quiet streets as he made his way through town, clutching a bundle of missing posters in his trembling hands. Each lamppost he passed became adorned with the image of his childhood friend, Conrad Sullivan, a warm smile frozen in time beneath the bold letters spelling out "Missing: Conrad Sullivan."
As Augustine affixed yet another poster to a wooden pole, a voice called out from behind him. "Hey, Augustine," called Mrs. Patricia Jenkins, a neighbor from down the street. "Still no sign of Conrad, huh?"
Augustine turned to face her, his expression heavy with sorrow. "No, not yet," he replied, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I won't stop looking until I find him."
Mrs. Jenkins nodded sympathetically, placing a comforting hand on Augustine's shoulder. "You're a good friend, Augustine," she said softly. "I'm sure Conrad knows how much you care about him."
With a grateful smile, Augustine continued on his journey, his determination renewed by Mrs. Jenkins' words of encouragement. Finally, he arrived at Conrad's house, a sense of anticipation building in the pit of his stomach.
Conrad's mother, Mrs. Katarina Sullivan, greeted Augustine with tear-filled eyes as she ushered him inside. "Augustine, dear," she said, her voice trembling with emotion. "Thank you for coming. It's been so hard without Conrad."
Augustine took Mrs. Sullivan's hand in his own, offering her a reassuring smile. "I'm here for you, Mrs. Sullivan," he said softly. "I promise, I won't rest until we find him."
As Augustine and Mrs. Sullivan sat together in the dimly lit living room, memories of Conrad flooded back to them both. Augustine recalled lazy summer afternoons spent playing in the backyard, while Mrs. Sullivan reminisced about the countless family dinners shared around the kitchen table.
Suddenly, Mrs. Sullivan rose from her seat and disappeared into the adjoining room, returning moments later with a weathered envelope clutched in her hand. "Augustine," she said, her voice choked with emotion, "we found this among Conrad's belongings after he disappeared. It's a letter addressed to you."
With trembling hands, Augustine accepted the envelope and carefully opened it, revealing a cryptic drawing of a ruin nestled on a remote island known as Warkas. His heart skipped a beat as he recognized the familiar landscape from his childhood dreams, a place he and Conrad had often fantasized about exploring together.
But before Augustine could fully process the significance of the drawing, Conrad's father, Mr. Gregor Sullivan, entered the room, his eyes bloodshot and his breath heavy with the scent of alcohol. "What's all this nonsense about finding Conrad?" he slurred, his words laced with bitterness. "The boy is a fool, always has been. Let him wander off on his own. Perhaps then he'll learn the harsh realities of life."
Augustine's jaw tightened with anger, but he bit back his retort, knowing that now was not the time for confrontation. Instead, he turned to Mrs. Sullivan with determination burning in his eyes. "I'll find him, Mrs. Sullivan," he vowed. "No matter what it takes."
With a sense of resolve burning in his chest, Augustine made a decision then and there. With his savings from work and a heart full of determination, he would set out on a journey to the remote island of Warkas, leaving behind his old life in search of the friend he refused to give up on.
And as Augustine boarded the ferry bound for distant shores, he knew that his journey was only just beginning. Little did he know, the mysteries that awaited him on the island of Warkas would lead him down a path fraught with danger, deception, and unexpected twists of fate. But for now, all he could do was cling to hope and pray that somewhere out there, Conrad was waiting for him, just as he had always been. "Yes I can, and I will!", Augustine whispers.
The ferry cut through the choppy waters of the sea, its engines thrumming a steady rhythm beneath Augustine's feet as he stood at the bow, gazing out at the horizon. The salty breeze whipped through his hair, carrying with it a sense of anticipation and uncertainty.
As the shoreline faded into the distance behind him, Augustine's thoughts drifted back to the Sullivan household, the echoes of his conversation with Conrad's parents still fresh in his mind. Despite Mr. Sullivan's bitter words, Augustine couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Conrad's disappearance than met the eye.
With a heavy sigh, Augustine turned away from the railing and made his way below deck, where the other passengers were huddled together in small groups, their faces a mixture of excitement and apprehension.
Finding an empty bench tucked away in a quiet corner, Augustine settled in and pulled out the worn envelope containing the cryptic drawing of the ruins on Warkas Island. His fingers traced the faded lines of the sketch, his mind racing with questions.
What had Conrad been doing with such a drawing? And why had he kept it hidden away, only to leave it behind when he vanished without a trace?
Lost in thought, Augustine was startled when a voice broke through the silence. "Mind if I join you?" said a voice from behind him.
Turning around, Augustine found himself face to face with a young woman, her eyes filled with curiosity. "I saw you standing alone up here," she said, gesturing to the empty seat beside him. "Thought you might like some company."
Grateful for the distraction, Augustine nodded, offering her a small smile. "Sure, please, have a seat," he replied, gesturing to the bench beside him.
The young woman settled in beside Augustine, introducing herself as Lily. As they struck up a conversation, Augustine found himself opening up to her, sharing the details of his journey to find his long-lost friend Conrad.
Lily listened intently, her expression thoughtful as Augustine recounted the events that had led him to this moment. When he finished speaking, she reached out and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry, Augustine," she said softly. "That sounds incredibly difficult."
Augustine nodded, a lump forming in his throat. "It's been tough," he admitted. "But I can't just sit back and do nothing. Conrad means everything to me."
Lily smiled sympathetically, her eyes sparkling with understanding. "I admire your determination," she said. "You know, I live in a nearby town near that creepy place, I will accompany you."
Surprised by her offer, Augustine felt a glimmer of hope ignite within him. "What?, Thank you, Lily," he said gratefully. "That means a lot to me." "The Ruins of Warkas, home of cults in our town, creepy but exciting," she replied with a smile.
With a newfound sense of purpose, Augustine and Lily spent the rest of the journey discussing their plans for when they reached Warkas Island. And as the ferry continued its journey across the vast expanse of the sea, Augustine couldn't help but feel a flicker of optimism blossoming within him. Perhaps, with Lily's help, he would finally uncover the truth behind Conrad's disappearance and bring him home where he belonged.
Meanwhile, chaos erupted in the Sullivan household as Conrad's parents engaged in a heated argument. The sound of shattered glass echoed through the air as Mrs. Sullivan stumbled back, blood staining her cheek from a fresh wound.
"You're to blame for this!" she cried, her voice a mix of agony and rage. "You let him live, you wretched drunk!"
Gregor Sullivan stood firm, his expression a mask of defiance. "I do not not know what happened!," he countered, his voice resolute. "All I know is I killed him, I really did!." "All I can recall is that I caused his demise, truly!"
Tears welled in Mrs. Sullivan's eyes as she glared at her husband, her voice trembling with mixed emotion. "I thought he was lost forever!" she sobbed, her words choked with sorrow. "He must not survive!" and then a sudden change of her facial expression.
Gregor's gaze softened momentarily before hardening once more with resolve. "Was the letter a hoax?" he asked, his tone tinged with suspicion.
But Mrs. Sullivan's reaction was immediate and resolute. "The depiction of the Ruins of Warkas was unmistakable, it was their childhood aspiration GREGOR!" she proclaimed, her desperation tangible. "I permitted Augustine to view the drawing in that cursed letter, to determine if Conrad still exists. You must ensure our scheme reaches its conclusion, GREGORRRRRR!!!" she exclaimed.
A sense of resignation settled over Gregor as he absorbed his wife's words. With a heavy sigh, he nodded in agreement, his resolve unwavering. "I will carry out our plan," he affirmed, his voice a solemn vow.
As Gregor departed the house, burdened by the weight of his task, Mrs. Sullivan remained behind, wrestling with her own inner demons. With Augustine hot on Conrad's trail, she knew their window of opportunity was fleeting. She could only hope that their sinister scheme would not be exposed before they achieved their dark objective.
"Gregor, eliminate Augustine if necessary", she added.
------------
To be continued.