Life According to Wyatt Smithers

The Spark

As school began many things had changed. The halls were the same, the lockers still blue, the lights still dim. But the first weeks of school were unexpected. Tuesday was particularly chaotic. On the walls fliers of faces were frequently sighted every couple of steps down the North Hall.

They read "Have you seen me?" A picture of the missing person was below the title followed by contact information. These students, some 30 or 35 were missing. They just disappeared without a trace. How can this be?

None of it made sense. Some of these people I had never seen alone but in groups of ten or more. How could someone with that many people around them go unnoticed and disappear?

"Hey, Wyatt," a familiar voice spoke.

It was Helen.

"Oh, hi, Helen. Whats up?

She gazed at the poster reading the words on paper.

"Nothing much," she replied; her eyes still glued to the parchment.

"I can't believe this is even happening. Its scary."

"I know," she said, "but thank god its no one we know."

Oh god, what if that had happened? What if someone I cared about went missing just like the others? The thought was excruciating. Luckily the school passed the buddy system on to us. Everyone was advised to choose someone that you can walk home with or walk to school with.

During school hours the students were confined to their classrooms or the cafeteria. Even sports and band practices were cautioned. I still had to choose a partner for the buddy system. Leigh-Anne and Tiana approached with Dallas and Kiana down the North Hall. I see the Khal and his Khaleesi but no Khalasar. A rare find for sure.

"Hey, guys," said Dallas.

Soon after Kiana said "Hi, Wyatt."

"Oh, hi Kian-"
I was interupted by a forced push from Helen.

"Thank god you guys got here. You know people are going missing."

"Calm down Helen," said Kiana. "Its not like we're the only ones at school right now."

"RING! RING! RING!" the bell alarmed.

"We better get to class you guys," said Leigh-Anne. As we all began to walk to our classes Helen spoke.

"No shit," she exclaimed.

"Ughh," replied Leigh.

Down the hall Leigh-Anne and Helen had at it with Tiana jumping in. They argued as Kiana and Dallas seemed lost in each other's eyes. Suddenly I felt this sharp pain in my head. As I pressed my fingers on my temple to try and suppress the pain I ran into another body.

Disoriented, I caught myself from falling.

"I am so sorry," I apologized.

I looked up to see Ali. "Oh, its alright," bro. Well I got to get to class. Catch you later."

As he departed I tried to gain my bearings. I saw Leigh-Anne and Tiana in the distance. Helen and Kiana had disappeared as Dallas made a turn west into the cafeteria. The halls were a buzz with chatter. It seemed that my embarrassment was oblivious to eveyone, especially my friends.