𝐂𝐥𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐝𝐞 𝐥𝐮𝐧𝐞

9 | missing persons report

A week and a half ago

♆
JOSHUA

"Pfft- I don't know. I've only met her once."

"Maybe this job wasn't for her."

I laugh, slapping Macbeth on the table in front of me, "She didn't really seem like the book type of girl."

"Yeah not really, but she was a good listener."

I shrug, "I suppose."

I stack up all the Shakespeare books then pick them all up. It was the start of the school year for high schoolers so we just got a bunch of books in.

As I start walking over, a woman comes through the doors with a paper in her hand. She looked to be in a hurry, and as soon as she spotted the closest person to her, she started walking fast.

"You work here right?" She asks.

I nod, "Yeah. What can I help you with?"

She shows me the paper and on it was a black and white printed-out photo of the girl that didn't even last a day.

"My friend is missing. This was the last place she went. Did you see where she went after?"

"I'm not really sure..." I say, "It's a big store. I can't really pay attention to everyone."

That was rude, "Sorry," I say after.

"No, it's okay, thanks for helping. Is there any way I can talk to the manager?"

I nod, "Yeah, let me just set these down then I'll go get her if you want to wait here."

She nods rapidly, then I give her an apologetic smile before walking off. If she was telling the truth, I suppose it does make sense that she hasn't made it to her shifts in the last week.

After I set the books down, I go grab a manager from the office, bringing her over to the woman.

"Hi," She said before showing the photo again, "My friend works here and she has been missing for the last week, is there any way you saw where she went when she left?"

She looks at me, then back at the girl, "I don't really know... I think her boyfriend came in to see her but I don't really know what happened after that."

"Boyfriend. Okay. Do you remember what he looked like?"

"Tall," She shrugs, "I'm sorry I can't really remember."

She dips her head, nodding, "Okay thank you."

"Have you tried calling her?"

She nods, "Yep. It goes straight to voicemail."

"Gosh, I'm so sorry. I can help you file a police report."

"It's okay," She smiles, "Thank you though."

With that, she waves then walks straight back out the doors.

♆
NINA

I walk into the police station, heading straight to the front desk. I slap the picture of Emma on the table then look up at the older woman.

"I need to file a missing person's report."

"Alright," She says slowly, "I'll need you to fill out a piece of paper."

She opens up her desk, carding through it before she pulls out a white piece of paper. She slides it to me, then hands me a blue pen.

I take the paper then the pen, then find a seat.

Full name: Emma Ogawa

Date of Birth: November 29, 1999

Residential Address: 12345 E Debussy St.

Physical description: long black hair, 5'5ish, skinny, pale, brown eyes, 22 years old, last seen in a Barnes and noble shirt

I take the paper up to the front desk again, then slide it to the woman as well as my picture of her.

I haven't seen her since last week, and knowing that she was always home doing nothing, it made me nervous as to where she actually was. This wasn't normal for her to be out like this.

"Alright I will submit this through the system."

"Thank you. How long will it take to get a detective's team together?"

"A couple of days at best, sweetheart. We're currently investigating 3 missing persons."

I nod, disappointed. It wasn't the answer I wanted, but I couldn't really argue anyways, "Okay thank you for your time."

"Keep your head up, we'll find her."

I smile, then turn on my heel, walking out of the station.

As I get into the car, I can't help but start crying. Why her? She's never done anything wrong or bad to anyone? Has someone hurt her or kidnapped her for ransom? I wonder what she's thinking right now, if she's even alive.

I turn on the car, backing out of the parking lot then turning onto the street. I wipe my tears away and focus on getting home.

It's been quiet since she's been gone. I haven't gone out like I normally do. I just feel it's not right coming home to an empty house rather than an occupied one. It feels off to me.

I just hope she comes home soon.