Digging

"Hey Sean. Who was that chick?"

"Someone looking for a missing girl. Hey Ben, do you know the girl in this photo?"

Ben examined the photo of Ella the woman left with Sean.

"I don't know who she is but I have seen her around here quite often. She's kinda shy, always drinks a cup of tea. Do you know her?"

"Only her name."

"Why didn't you tell the lady! It could have helped her find her!"

"I don't know, something about this all seems strange. Did you ever see this girl with anyone else?"

"Not that I can think of, but I think she is in school or something. She always seemed to be writing, either in a journal or on a laptop."

"Yeah, you're right. Maybe -"

"Maybe what? She's some random girl! Leave it to whoever that lady was. I'm sure she'll turn up. No need to worry about it bro."

Sean brushed his light brown hair out of his eyes.

"I just don't know, I can't shake this feeling that something else is going on here."

"Okay bro, whatever you say, but it's time to lock up, so let's get out of here."

Sean walked home to his flat that night pondering everything. He wasn't looking up when it happened.

A man ran into Sean nearly knocking him over.

"Uh! Hey! Watch where you're going man!" He yelled as the man quickly ran away.

"Probably a pick pocket." He thought as he checked for his wallet and phone in his front jeans pocket. They were still there, as were his keys but there was also something else. He pulled it out, it was a slip of folded paper. He opened it and read, ' All is not as it seems' There was also a picture of the front of a college building.

"Hm, University of Mayland. Is this some kind of joke?" What the hell is this?"

He walked up to his flat door; once he unlocked the door and closed it behind himself, he looked again at the note and the picture. He sighed.

His phone vibrated.

-Hey, want to go for a walk?-

It was a text from his friend Zmayah.

-Yeah, sure. I just got home from work so give me a min to change.-

-Okay, I'll meet you at the park behind the elementary school.-

He quickly changed into a new t shirt and jeans that didn't smell like coffee, put on his shoes and headed out the door again.

It was around 8pm so it was rather dark out. He walked up Cleveland street then around the back of the elementary school.

There she was, sitting on one of the swings, Zmayah, his best friend. She was small for 17 only around 5 foot. She had tan skin and shoulder length dark brown hair. She was dressed like an anime character with a panda bear t shirt and bright blue skinny jeans. He smirked at how she looked. She was cute but could kick any boys ass if she wanted to.

"Hey, you're kinda late."

"I had to change! I told you that." said Sean walking up to her and sitting in the swing next to her. "You know, you shouldn't be walking up here by yourself at night."

"Well, I wouldn't have been alone if you hadn't needed to change. You know I don't mind the smell of coffee."

"Well I do. Anyways, I wanted to talk to you about something."

Sean told her about Ella and everything that had happened that day.

"So do you like this girl?"

"You know me, I think she is pretty but I know nothing about her."

"Then why didn't you tell the lady you knew her?"

"I don't know, I just think there is more to this. I showed you the photos and the note. Don't you think there is something else going on?"

"Yeah, I guess." she said standing up. "Well, if you are so concerned, why don't you go to the university in the photo and ask if she is enrolled there?"

"That's a good idea. Will you come with me? I think it might be weird if I go alone, you know a young guy asking about a girl."

"I can understand that." She sighed. "Sure, I'll come. When do you want to go?"

"You free tomorrow?"

"Sure."

"Okay, I'll pick you up at 2pm after my shift ends."

"Will you walk me back to my car?"

"Yeah, sure."