THE THIRD MISSING CASE

"Do you believe it is connected to the other cases, then?"

"It could be, but I am struggling to come up with a way to make someone disappear without leaving behind anything more than this black smudge. I mean, I would have created a huge mess if it had been me."

"You just are not smart, Finn; that is why. In any case, nobody is counting on you to be a good kidnapper."

"No, think about it, Selena; what could be their goal or motive, and what does this black smudge print or whatever this is mean?" Do you believe it is some kind of lunatic organization?"

As Finn and Selena were having this discussion while inspecting the bedroom of the third reported missing person, they couldn't help but think about it.

"You two only engage in gossip. Get back to work right away and start looking for any clues that might help us crack this case. This week's third incident has already occurred. I am pretty sure you guys do not want to see that the next target ends up being someone close to us.

Alan, the sergeant assigned to this case at the regional police station, was upset—and understandably so.

Everything began a week ago when a couple went to the station to report their 8-year-old daughter missing. Another single mother arrived two days later to report the disappearance of her 9-year-old daughter.

It was concerning to have two children go missing in a span of three days. Since Alan was the father of a sweet little daughter, he could understand how the parents must have felt.

Problematically, both of the children vanished from their bedrooms.

Upon inspection, there were no indications of a break-in or forced entry anywhere in their homes, not even the windows. The children seemed to have just..

...disappeared into thin air.

He realized he could not just let things continue as they had until he saw the third case, which was eerily similar to the first two.

He knew he had to find "that" man after getting all the information from Selena regarding the home and the children's bedroom and not finding anything that could lead him in a direction to search once more.

Even though he despised the jerk-like, stoic man, he was good at one thing—solving these kinds of cases.

sigh

After lighting a cigarette and inhaling a few drags, Alan motioned for Selena to approach from outside the house.

"Why do you think whoever is carrying out this crime only abducts females? Perhaps human trafficking? possibly even worse? Even the thought that some sicko might be behind this makes me uncomfortable."

As she made her way towards Alan, she could not help but think of the worst-case scenarios before Alan interrupted her train of thought. "I swear, if it is, I will-"

"Selena, if you do not want to see your fantasies come true, go get Adrian and tell him it is urgent; otherwise, he will ignore you like he has in the past."

"Adrian? Sergeant, are you certain? Even if he really is good at playing detective, don't you think he would need something to work out with? Apart from that black smudge in each of the three bedrooms, there are absolutely no other hints."

Despite the fact that Selena was aware of Adrian's abilities as a detective, she still disliked him for his peculiar behavior.

He always did as he pleased, directed the police officers, looked down on people, and above all, he only offered assistance when his curiosity was aroused. She had no idea how his mind operated.

"Do not waste any more time; invite him over. We are going to have another sleepless night, so let us hope he can find something."

*****

"Our reporter just received word that there was yet another case of a missing child from Empringham Street. It is the third case this week that has upset residents of Lockhaven City a great deal. The police are still in the dark about the-" 

Adrian turned off the news because he already knew how inept these idiots were, but he was intrigued by this case. Three children have gone missing from their own rooms, with no one hearing or noticing...

... sounded like mythical stuff, and no one knew more about the truth of such myths than him.

"That sergeant is most likely sending someone over for me. I might as well assist him this time because it sounds interesting. I am already dying of boredom. I better get dressed because I have been stuck here for a week." 

…..

Selena, at 26 years old, had a vibrant and vivacious personality that brightened any room. Her Ashburn hair cascades in soft waves, framing her face and adding a touch of sophistication.

Her honey-colored eyes reflect her warmth and sincerity, inviting others into her vibrant world. Despite her petite 5'1" frame, she exuded confidence and charm, making her a pleasure to be around.

"Ugh, this place always gives me the creeps. I am not sure how anyone can live in such a place, and Alan always sends me here alone." When Selena arrived at Adrian's house, she felt the familiar shivers.

At the right end of Gilder Drive stood a modest, compact house. Though not obviously run-down, the structure exuded an eerie atmosphere that sent shivers down one's spine. The peeling paint and overgrown vegetation suggest neglect, casting a somewhat forlorn aura.

As the shadows lengthened, the house seemed to harbor secrets, its windows reflecting dim, foreboding light that added to the unsettling vibe. It was a place where imagination easily weaved tales of mystery and intrigue.

Just as Selena was about to knock on the door, the door swung open, and a tall figure, clad in full black, started coming out.

Adrian, 23, had a striking allure with his jet-black hair and eyes as dark as the abyss, lending an air of mystery.

He exuded a sophisticated and enigmatic presence, dressed in a sleek black suit and a long coat. holding a cane with a peculiar moon sign etched onto it, hinting at his affiliation with a hidden realm, adding an element of intrigue to his persona.

"You scared me, man. I had not even knocked yet. Are you on your way somewhere? Alan called you over. You may not be aware, but there is a case that-" Selena began babbling to calm her racing heart.

"I know, and you are late. It has been a week and three children have gone missing. Every time you guys try to stupidly solve cases that can't be solved by you,"

"Sigh, jerk, as usual. We are just doing our jobs and trying to help people." Selena could not help but sigh in defeat after hearing Adrian's sarcastic but true remarks.

"Get moving right away. This case has piqued my interest as well. It is incredible to think someone is doing such things while knowing I live nearby. Who in their right mind would commit a crime in the presence of such a brilliant detective?"

Selena could not help but twitch her lips, but hearing this made her happy because he seemed optimistic, despite the fact that she knew this case was going nowhere and everyone was scared.

"OK, you win; get in the car now. I will take you to the station.'' Selena took the wheel and started the car.

"No, just take me to the location of the most recent kidnapping. I would like to see something." Adrian climbed into the car and closed his eyes.

"Fine with me, Mr. Detective." Seeing Adrian as confident as ever, Selena could not help but think that the case might actually be solved, so she said nothing and began driving.

****

"Sergeant, the press has arrived at the station, demanding answers. So, what should we do?"

Alan was still waiting outside the house when an officer reported to him. He knew Adrian would arrive soon, and to be honest, he needed some answers at this point.

"Just leave them alone. When I return, I will hold a press conference." 

Just then, a car pulled up to the house's driveway, and Selena stepped out.

"I brought him here, serg, and I think he is sleeping-"

"It is good to see your miserable face again, Alan. It never ceases to amaze me how you rose to the rank of sergeant. You should just start handing me your cases." 

As she was about to continue, she heard the same hateful voice, but this time the target was not her, which made her happy.

She noticed Adrian standing beside Alan, patting his shoulder as if they were old friends, knowing him for quite some time, he was just doing it as 'there there, your daddy will solve these simple cases for you'.

'How did he get there?'

Alan could not help but chuckle when he heard Adrian's scathing remarks.

"Nice to see you as well. Your mouth is as shitty as ever. Let us not waste too much time. I am sure you have heard about the situation. I will go over the details with you later. You might come across something we overlooked."

Selena trailed behind them and entered. The child's parents were in the living room, while the bedroom was upstairs. They were soon at the door.

"You two should wait here. Let me see it for myself." Adrian entered the room and closed the door behind him.

"This time, let us see who it is. You should do things like this a lot more often. I am bored the majority of the time.''

Adrian began talking to himself while looking around the room, and as Alan mentioned, there was not anything out of place except for the black smudge mark in the middle of the room, in no particular shape. Adrian knelt to touch the mark.

"Hmm, a clone? Someone is attempting to imitate them." Adrian rubbed his two fingers together and touched the mark with them. 

"There is an odor that should not be here. They do not leave any odor or mark, but it has nearly the same properties as them. It appears to be a lot more fun."

Adrian could not help but be excited, because this was the only thing that kept him interested in this mundane human society. 

"How about we get to work?" 

Suddenly, the shadows in the corners deepened, spreading like ink spilled across the floor. The once gentle light now seemed to wane, as if being slowly swallowed by an unseen force. The walls absorbed the illumination, becoming darker and more foreboding, giving the room an eerie and unfamiliar ambiance.

The dimness continued to encroach, the darkness growing more palpable and oppressive. It seemed to seep from the very fabric of the room, creating an atmosphere of dread. Shadows elongated and twisted, taking on a life of their own, dancing ominously across the walls.

The shadows, though born from the depths, seemed strangely animated and almost joyful. Their formless tendrils curled and undulated, as if expressing a sense of delight at Adrian's presence.

They swirled around him, a dance of dark ecstasy, as if they considered him one of their own. The cold chill in the air intensified, wrapping around him like a shroud.

Adrian couldn't shake the eerie feeling that these shadows were alive in some twisted, otherworldly way. They whispered to him in hushed, spectral voices, their words a haunting melody that sent shivers down his spine.

It was as if they were attempting to communicate, to tell him a story he could barely comprehend.

The room, once a haven of warmth, was now icy and inhospitable. The chilling air seemed to carry the weight of forgotten tales and ancient secrets buried in the depths of time.

Adrian could feel the weight of their unspoken stories pressing upon him, a burden he had not asked for but was compelled to bear.

Adrian's eyes darkened as he continued to silently observe the room.

"I should have known better."