ya ever heard of man-eating polar bears, kids?

prologue

"Do you remember anything?"

"No. All I know is that I fell asleep one day and woke up in the snow the next."

"Same"

They all turned and glared and the boy who dared interrupt their serious interrogation. An important interrogation relating to recent events.

The children were holding a meeting. In their hospital gowns, with IV's sticking out of their arms, they'd pushed their beds in a circle and now were discussing important things like the important people they are. Important things like waking up and finding out that it's been nearly two weeks, and you have no memory of what could have possibly happened. That is a cause for panic.

Thankfully, the children of the Society of All Things Strange (as they were calling themselves) had kept their wits about them and are now puzzling out the information given to them by the adults. They didn't particularly trust it you see, because not trusting adults is rule one of the society. But unfortunately, it seems their information has been proven to be correct.

Back to the interrogation.

''Do you know what they're saying? Some psycho's the one who did this to us. The big paw prints near everywhere we were taken.''

''A furry then?''

''They think they're real. And apparently, they're too big to be from a stray cat or dog.''

''It doesn't explain the memory loss.''

''Wait, what about naughty or nice?''

''...what?''

Everyone talking at once only works if people don't say random things. But fools will never adhere to what has been laid clear out in the open for them. Lessons so obvious only those who refuse to see past the length of their own nose would be able to miss. It's a nuisance more than anything. Perhaps this fool, in particular, should be kicked out of this very important meeting.

''You know, Santa's list. Since we heard about his man-eating polar bears.''

Or not. This fool does seem to have something worthwhile to say. And yet, it feels like he should not have said anything at all. But all good ideas have been unthinkable at some point. It doesn't make the unease go away though.

''Explain.''

''Well, me and a couple of the other neighbourhood kids have heard of these polar bears under the mind control the man who enslaved the reindeer and the—''

''Just say Santa and move on.''

''Uh, rude. Anyway, polar bears, santa, naughty list, man-eating. Kids going missing, anyone connecting the dots? Man-eating, did I mention man-eating?''

Oh, now the unease is really growing. They say the human mind can tell when it's being watched and at this moment, not only are their eyes on this society, but to whom those eyes belong... they are listening very closely. And the headache this fool's rambling is spreading throughout the room is not helping the case.

''We get it. Please shut up.''

''...''

''Thank you. What will the society do with this new information?''

''Nothing, I guess. We're all alive and have no memory of anything, no clue what happened, so we can't do anything. Besides, the bear thing seems really far-fetched. Where did you even hear about them?''

''The witch ladies at 108 Ashville Lane.''

Pandemonium breaks out amongst the members concerning the trustworthiness of such sources. Some were in favour; witches were seen to be the only adults respected by the society, and others denied it, knowing there were many witch wannabes and many could be mistaken for a true one.

Then silence. A chill settles over the room as if something had reached inside their minds to push the off switch.

They'd all felt it. The unease had been building up inside of all of them since this discussion had begun, the same thoughts and concerns being shared as a group, though none would admit them out loud. And now, with this interference being so tangible, every child in that room came to the conclusion, one by one, that this topic was not to be spoken of. Their disappearance was not to be spoken of.

''... I- I think the nurses... the nurses are hosting a movie night... we- we could go?'' so says the only soul brave enough to speak up, though the question was stilted with fear and confusion.

Murmurs of agreement go around. The awkward silence grows because who in the world knows what to say when an otherworldly presence tells you to shut up. They rise and go slowly to the mess hall to watch whatever horrendous kids film the nurses have put on, not without the common glance over your shoulder, looking into the shadows. It was anxiety-inducing. Nerve-wracking. Though the halls were silent, it was as if their every move was being watched.

They couldn't admit it out loud. That much they knew if they had known to not address their insecurities in the open. They'd already pushed the limit, having said so much.

It was unanimously agreed amongst the Society of Completely Normal Things that this entire incident would be put behind them without having to say a single word.

It's for the best. It isn't their place to know things. The adults make sure of that.