It was a quiet Saturday morning when Robert Petum stirred from his sleep, the soft light of the rising sun filtering through the curtains of his bedroom. He blinked awake, stretching lazily as he took in the familiar surroundings of his room at home. Posters of video games and coding references adorned the walls, a testament to his passion and ambition. The comfort of home was a stark contrast to the hustle of university life, but Robert found solace in both worlds.
As he reached for his phone on the nightstand, Robert noticed a news alert flashing on the screen. With a groggy swipe, he opened the notification and was greeted by a somber headline: Another Scientist Kidnapped – The Third in a Month. Robert frowned, his sleepiness fading as he scrolled through the article. The string of high-profile kidnappings had been a major topic of concern for the past year, with many brilliant minds disappearing without a trace. It was unsettling, to say the least.
With a sigh, Robert set his phone aside and got out of bed. He could hear the clinking of dishes from the kitchen downstairs, a sign that his mother, Patil, and younger sister, Ashe, were already up. He quickly dressed and made his way to join them.
In the kitchen, the smell of freshly made pancakes filled the air. Ashe was seated at the table, her dark hair tied back in a messy ponytail as she sipped on a glass of orange juice. Patil was at the stove, flipping pancakes with practiced ease. The atmosphere was warm and familiar, but Robert couldn't shake the uneasy feeling brought on by the news.
"Morning, Rob," Ashe greeted him, her tone chipper as always.
"Morning," Robert replied, taking a seat across from her. "What's up?"
"Just the usual," Ashe said with a shrug. "Trying to survive high school. You know how it is."
"Yeah, I remember," Robert said with a smirk. "How's that going for you?"
Ashe rolled her eyes dramatically. "Oh, you know, just trying to navigate the wonderful world of teenage drama and exams. Same old, same old."
Robert chuckled, knowing how much Ashe liked to exaggerate her school experiences. "Well, you'll get through it. Just keep your head down and avoid the drama."
"Easier said than done," Ashe muttered, though there was a playful glint in her eyes.
Ashe leaned forward, a mischievous grin spreading across her face. "Speaking of avoiding things, how's your little game project coming along? Still hiding away in your dorm room working on it?"
Robert smirked, knowing where this was going. "Yeah, still working on it. And it's not 'hiding away,' it's called focusing."
"Oh, right, focusing," Ashe teased, her tone dripping with sarcasm. "Focusing on making sure you don't fail miserably, you mean."
Before Robert could retort, Ashe playfully flicked a small piece of her breakfast—a tiny crumb from her pancake—across the table at him. It hit his hand with a barely noticeable impact, but it was enough to draw a mock glare from him.
"Really, Ashe?" Robert said, feigning indignation as he brushed the crumb off his hand.
Ashe grinned, unfazed. "Just making sure you're paying attention, big bro. You tend to get lost in your thoughts sometimes."
Robert shook his head, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'm just thinking about some new ideas for the game, actually. You know, expanding beyond just the typical tower defense stuff."
Ashe raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Oh? Like what?"
"Well," Robert began, leaning back in his chair, "I'm thinking of adding different kinds of defensive structures, not just castles. Stuff like tents, ports, ships, maybe even space stations and bases. It'd add a whole new layer of strategy, especially if we include different terrains and scenarios."
Ashe looked impressed, though she tried to hide it. "Sounds cool. Maybe you're not wasting your time after all."
Before Robert could respond, Patil joined them at the table, setting down a plate of pancakes. "What are you two bickering about now?" she asked with a knowing smile.
"Just the usual sibling banter," Robert replied, reaching for a pancake.
"Hmm," Patil hummed, pouring syrup over her own pancake. "As long as it doesn't get out of hand. I'm not cleaning up any messes."
Ashe flashed Robert a cheeky grin before sticking out her tongue at him. "Don't worry, Mom. I've got it under control."
Robert rolled his eyes playfully as they all dug into breakfast. The conversation shifted to lighter topics, and Robert found himself enjoying the simple pleasure of a meal with his family. But in the back of his mind, the news of the kidnappings lingered, a reminder of the strange and dangerous times they were living in.
---
Later that day, after finishing his breakfast and spending some time with his family, Robert found himself back in his room, thinking more about the game. The idea of adding more diverse structures and settings intrigued him. A game that wasn't just about defending a single castle, but one that allowed players to defend and manage different kinds of bases—each with its own unique strengths and challenges—could really set his game apart.
As he was mulling over these ideas, his phone buzzed. It was a text from Eric, asking if he was free for a call. Robert quickly replied, and within minutes, the two were connected over the phone.
"Hey, Eric," Robert greeted, settling back on his bed.
"Hey, man. What's up?" Eric's voice crackled through the speaker.
"Not much. Just thinking about some new ideas for the game," Robert said. "What about you?"
"Same here. Actually, I've been thinking a lot about what you mentioned—expanding the types of defensive structures. It's a great idea. Tents, ports, even space stations...it could really make the game stand out."
Robert smiled, glad that Eric was on board with the idea. "Yeah, I think it could add a lot of variety. Plus, it opens up new gameplay mechanics. Like, different environments could have different types of attacks or defenses. A space station, for example, might need defenses against asteroids or space debris."
"Exactly," Eric agreed. "It'll make each level feel fresh and unique. We could even tie it into the storyline—like different planets or locations in a galactic war."
As they discussed the game, Robert couldn't help but think about the news he'd seen that morning. The kidnappings had been bothering him, and he felt the need to bring it up.
"Hey, Eric," Robert began, his tone more serious. "Did you hear about the latest kidnapping? Another scientist, just like the others."
Eric paused for a moment before responding. "Yeah, I saw that. It's crazy, man. All these brilliant minds just disappearing...it's like something out of a sci-fi movie."
"Yeah, it's unsettling," Robert admitted. "Makes you wonder what's going on behind the scenes."
"Whatever it is, it's big," Eric said, his voice low. "But there's not much we can do about it, right? Just gotta keep our heads down and focus on what we're doing."
"True," Robert agreed, though the thought still nagged at him. "Still, it's hard not to think about it."
"Yeah, I get it," Eric replied. "But let's not get too caught up in it. We've got a game to build, remember?"
Robert chuckled. "Right. Back to the game."
They spent the next hour hashing out ideas, discussing potential challenges and gameplay mechanics, all while the reality of the world around them buzzed faintly in the background. As the conversation wound down, Robert felt more focused and determined than ever to bring their project to life.
"Alright, man," Eric said finally. "I've gotta run, but let's touch base later. Keep working on those ideas, and we'll see where we can take this thing."
"Will do," Robert replied. "Talk to you later."
"Later," Eric said before hanging up.
Robert set his phone aside and took a deep breath. The day had been filled with ideas, discussions, and a few unsettling thoughts, but he felt more committed than ever to seeing his game through. As he turned back to his laptop to continue working, he knew that despite the uncertainties of the world, he had something to focus on—something to build and shape into reality.
For now, that was enough.
Robert sat at his desk, fully engrossed in the game engine on his computer. The virtual world he was crafting slowly came to life with each keystroke, the game's terrain expanding, the defensive structures becoming more intricate. He was adding a new layer of detail to the space station defense unit when a soft ping echoed from his laptop, signaling a new email. Robert glanced at the screen, his heart skipping a beat when he saw the sender: Lysa.
For a moment, hope flared in his chest. Perhaps she had decided to join the project after all. But as he opened the email, that hope quickly fizzled out.
The email was brief, but the words hit hard:
Subject: Re: Game Project Collaboration
Hi Robert,
Thank you for reaching out with your game project idea. I appreciate the offer, but I'm afraid I won't be able to join the project. I have too many commitments right now—between my classes, other freelance work, and my own personal projects, my schedule is completely booked.
I'm sure your game will turn out great, but unfortunately, I just don't have the time to contribute in the way I'd want to. It wouldn't be fair to you or the project to half-commit. I wish you the best of luck with it, though!
Best,
Lysa
Robert stared at the screen, feeling a wave of disappointment wash over him. He'd half-expected this response, but it still stung. Lysa's talent could have elevated their game to a whole new level, and now he was back to square one, searching for someone who could bring his vision to life.
Sighing, Robert closed the email and leaned back in his chair, his mind swirling with thoughts. He knew he couldn't let this setback derail the project, but it was hard not to feel discouraged. Finding another graphic designer who could match Lysa's skill—and one who was willing to work on a speculative indie project—was going to be a challenge.
Trying to shake off the frustration, Robert decided to take a break. He pulled up his favorite social media platform, hoping that a bit of mindless scrolling might help clear his head. As the page loaded, his feed was immediately flooded with posts about the recent string of kidnappings, the one he had seen on the news that morning included.
The posts were a chaotic mix of reactions and theories. Some users were treating the situation with the gravity it deserved, sharing articles and discussing the implications of these high-profile disappearances. Others, however, were far less serious.
One post, from a user named @MemeMaster9000, had turned the kidnappings into a series of darkly humorous memes. "When you're too smart for your own good and the Illuminati comes for you," one caption read, accompanied by a poorly photoshopped image of a man being abducted by shadowy figures. The comments were filled with laughing emojis, but Robert couldn't bring himself to see the humor in it.
Scrolling further, he came across a video that had garnered thousands of views. It was titled "The Truth Behind the Kidnappings—Aliens, Terrorists, or Something Worse?" The video's creator, a man with wild hair and a conspiratorial gleam in his eyes, launched into a rambling theory that the kidnappings were the work of extraterrestrials, here to harvest the brightest human minds for some intergalactic experiment.
"It's all connected, man," the guy in the video insisted. "Think about it—why only the top scientists and researchers? Why now? It's because they know something we don't, and the aliens need them for their own plans. We're just cattle to them, man. Cattle!"
The video cut to a montage of supposed "evidence," including blurry photos of UFOs, news clippings about the missing scientists, and even a clip from an old science fiction movie. Robert shook his head, unable to believe that anyone could take this seriously.
Yet, as absurd as the alien theory was, the alternative explanations weren't much better. The comments section was a battleground of speculation and fear. Some users were convinced that the kidnappings were the work of a powerful terrorist organization, seeking to destabilize the world by targeting its intellectual elite. Others believed it was all part of a government cover-up, with the scientists being taken for secretive experiments or black-ops missions.
Still, others downplayed the entire situation, dismissing it as nothing more than overblown media hysteria. "It's just a few disappearances," one user, @RealistGamer, wrote dismissively. "The world's a big place—people go missing all the time. Doesn't mean there's some grand conspiracy at work."
Robert found himself sinking deeper into the mess of theories, scrolling past post after post, each more speculative than the last. It was clear that no one really knew what was going on, and that only added to the sense of unease that had been growing within him all day.
Eventually, Robert closed the browser window with a sigh, leaning back in his chair as he stared up at the ceiling. The world outside seemed to be spiraling into uncertainty, and here he was, trying to build a video game. The contrast felt almost surreal.
Needing to clear his head, Robert decided to spend the rest of the day with his family. He headed downstairs, where his mother and sister were watching TV in the living room. The sound of their laughter was a balm to his troubled thoughts, and he quickly joined them on the couch.
As the evening wore on, they watched a couple of movies, had dinner together, and shared stories about their week. It was a comforting routine, a reminder that no matter what was happening in the world, they had each other.
Later that night, after saying goodnight to his family, Robert retreated to his room. As he lay in bed, the events of the day replayed in his mind—the rejection from Lysa, the disturbing news about the kidnappings, the endless speculation on social media. But despite it all, he knew he couldn't let these things get to him.
He had a project to complete, a game that he was determined to see through. With a deep breath, Robert closed his eyes and let the thoughts fade away, focusing instead on the possibilities of tomorrow.
The morning light filtered through the curtains as Robert slowly stirred awake, the remnants of sleep still clinging to him. But before he could fully rouse himself, the incessant buzzing of his phone shattered the morning quiet. It wasn't the usual gentle ping of a single notification; this was a relentless assault—a flood of alerts that made his phone vibrate ceaselessly against his nightstand.
Groggily, Robert reached for his phone, squinting at the bright screen as he tried to make sense of the deluge of notifications. But as soon as he read the first few messages, his grogginess vanished, replaced by a cold, creeping shock.
His university's class group chat was on fire, with messages pouring in faster than he could read them. Social media was abuzz with frantic posts, and even his news app was lighting up with breaking news alerts. The reason was clear: two of his professors, both from the software development department, were missing.
"Professors Marcus Drayden and Evelyn Varrow missing!" one message in the class chat read.
"Guys, what the hell is happening?!" another message popped up, followed by a flurry of panicked responses.
"This is insane. I was just in Drayden's class yesterday!"
"Are we safe? Should we even go to class?"
Robert's heart pounded as he scrolled through the chaos. Professors Drayden and Varrow were well-known in the department—Drayden for his groundbreaking work in artificial intelligence and Varrow for her expertise in cybersecurity. They weren't just respected; they were revered. And now they were gone.
He switched over to social media, where the discussions were even more frantic. Hashtags like #UniversityDisappearance and #ProfessorGate were trending, filled with speculation and fear. Some people were trying to piece together the timeline of events, while others were spinning wild theories that only added to the growing sense of dread.
"What if they were targeted because of their research?" one user, @CodeWarrior2024, suggested. "Drayden was working on some next-level AI stuff. Maybe someone wanted to get their hands on it."
"Or maybe it's just like the other kidnappings," another user, @SkylineTheorist, posted. "This is bigger than just our university. It's happening everywhere!"
Robert's mind raced, trying to keep up with the torrent of information. How could two prominent professors just disappear? And why did it feel like the world was suddenly unraveling?
As he tried to process everything, a new notification appeared at the top of his screen—this one from the university itself. He quickly opened it, eager for some official word amid the chaos.
"From the Office of the University Chancellor:
We are aware of the current situation involving Professors Marcus Drayden and Evelyn Varrow. Both have been unaccounted for since the day before yesterday, and all attempts to contact them have been unsuccessful. We urge everyone to remain calm as the situation is being thoroughly investigated by the appropriate authorities. Classes will continue as scheduled, and any further updates will be communicated as soon as possible.
Thank you for your cooperation."
The message, meant to be reassuring, only fueled the growing anxiety. The vague reassurances felt hollow, especially when so little was known about what had happened. Robert's phone continued to buzz with incoming messages, the class group chat erupting with every possible reaction.
"This can't be real, right? They'll show up, I'm sure."
"I'm not going to class until they figure this out. It's too risky."
"Why isn't the university doing more? We're just supposed to act like nothing happened?"
"They're probably already kidnapped, like those scientists. It's all connected, you'll see!"
"Everyone just calm down! We don't know anything yet!"
The arguments were intense, with some students insisting on caution, while others called for calm and reason. The idea that the professors had been kidnapped—just like the scientists from the news—was gaining traction, and with it, the fear that no one was safe.
Robert couldn't tear his eyes away from the screen. He felt the weight of the situation pressing down on him, a gnawing anxiety that made it hard to think clearly. This wasn't just another news story; it was happening right in front of him, affecting people he knew.
Suddenly, a voice called out from downstairs, pulling him out of his thoughts. "Robert! Come down here, quick!"
It was his mother, Patil, and there was a note of urgency in her voice that he hadn't heard in a long time. Robert quickly pocketed his phone and headed downstairs, where he found his mother and sister in the living room, the TV blaring the local news.
"Did you see this?" Patil asked, her eyes wide with concern.
Ashe was sitting on the couch, staring at the screen, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a serious, worried expression. "They're saying two professors from your university are missing," she said quietly.
"Yeah, I know," Robert replied, sinking into a chair. "Drayden and Varrow. Everyone's freaking out."
The news anchor on the TV was talking about the disappearances, repeating the same scant details that Robert had already seen online. The footage cut to a shot of the university's campus, eerily quiet despite the usual bustle of a Saturday morning.
"This is getting out of hand," Patil said, shaking her head. "First the scientists, now this. What is going on?"
Robert didn't have an answer. No one did. All they could do was watch as the story unfolded, trying to make sense of a situation that defied understanding.
His phone buzzed again. This time, it was another notification from the class group chat, where the debates were getting even more heated.
"This is obviously a kidnapping. We need to start looking out for each other," one student posted, the urgency in their message clear.
"Or maybe they just left town for some reason. We don't know anything for sure!" another responded, clearly trying to downplay the situation.
"Are you kidding? Two professors don't just disappear without a reason. We're all in danger, and the university isn't doing enough!"
"Everyone chill out. We can't jump to conclusions. Let the police handle it."
Robert glanced back at the TV, where the university chancellor was giving a brief statement, echoing the message from the email—urging calm and promising that the situation was being handled. But the words felt empty, and the unease in Robert's chest only deepened.
As the debates raged on in the group chat, Robert felt a growing sense of helplessness. There were too many questions and not enough answers. He wanted to believe that everything would be okay, that the professors would be found safe and sound, but the longer the silence dragged on, the harder it was to hold on to that hope.
The rest of the day passed in a blur of worry and tension. Robert stayed close to his family, their presence a small comfort in the midst of uncertainty. They spent the day together, trying to distract themselves with movies and small talk, but the looming dread never fully left.
As night fell, Robert retreated to his room, his thoughts still tangled in the events of the day. The quiet hum of his computer was the only sound as he sat on his bed, staring at the screen, but for once, he had no interest in his game project. The world outside felt too chaotic, too unstable for him to focus on anything else.
Eventually, exhaustion overtook him, and he crawled under the covers, hoping that sleep would bring some reprieve from the day's anxieties. But even as he closed his eyes, the unanswered questions lingered in his mind, the shadows of doubt and fear whispering that the worst was yet to come.