The Tall Man

Chapter One: Count the Children

Staring. That was the number one word to describe your life. You lived your life in the shadows. You weren't necessarily shy, you could be very social and outgoing with the few people you liked, but most days you stayed in the back. You liked it in the shadows, it was dark and cold, and the things you learn about people when they think nobodies looking. The secrets your mind held could ruin people, and that gave you power. Power you never intended to exploit but power none the less.

You could be found in cliche places like park benches or coffee shops, quietly reading and pretending to not be listening to your conversation. Coffee, art pencils, and secrets were your best friends. But lately there was a specific secret you were dying to know, and you'd uncover it at any cost.

Another day came and went as you sat at the park, doodling. You were just inside the tree line of the woods, your eyes locked on the park ahead. You watched as the children danced and played, pushed and shoved, cried and laughed, you watched. You never liked kids, they pissed you off. They were so noisy and messy, they always fucked up your perfect little world. But that didn't mean you weren't curious when they started disappearing.

There was no connection between the children who were allegedly taken, other than one thing. They had all been to this park on the day they disappeared. It was so simply, such a huge clue that you were skeptical. Tucked away in your little shadow, you watched. You waited.

Seven children. Seven children remained, and three adults. Your eyes never left them, you wanted, you needed, to know who or what was taking them. Two seconds, you glanced at your phone for two seconds, you looked back up and counted again. Six.

"Son of a bitch." You whisper, tossing your things off of you. You stand up, and begin running to the playground. Your eyes scanned the area in a desperate attempt to find the seventh child.

"Where is she?! Where is the seventh child?!" You scream, getting closer to the adults by the second. All eyes lock on you, then glance around. Suddenly, as you reach the play ground, a man shoots up.

"Alice?!" He screams, frantically looking around. Everyone is looking and spinning, trying to find Alice. You stop.

"It took her. Two seconds and it took her." You whisper. This person, this thing, isn't human. It knew you were watching and it still won. You stood there, scanning the trees, knowing you won't find a damn thing. You weren't going to give up until you knew what this thing was.