The Tall Man

Chapter 4: Memories

Ten children. Nine taken. You stare off into the distance while tugging a black tank top onto your frame. Worry glazed your face as you pondered, what if that little girl at the park, Alice, had been the last one? What if you couldn't actually catch this thing for another ten years? All the clues in the world don't matter if this thing goes into hiding for another century. Your mind was stuck in this track, thinking, worrying, pondering, as you flop down on your bed and pull on your boots.

"Hey sweetheart?" Your dad peaks his head into your room and smiles. Your dad was a tall man, soft brown hair sat atop his head. His nice business-y haircut plus his suit and tie meant today was the big day. He was going in for an interview at one of the biggest companies in town. He didn't tell you much about it and with the child taker taking up your time you didn't ask, all you knew was that it was important. Your mother died when you were little, you weren't in poverty but money was tight none the less. All he wanted was to get a good paying job to better your life, and this interview gave just that.

"Chrissy and Meredith are coming over for dinner." He says, before retreating from the door. You hear him pounding down the stairs, he shouts a quick "goodbye honey, I love you.", and rushes out the door. Chrissy was your older sister, at 27 years old she was doing well for herself. She had a nice house, a husband, and a lovely daughter. You'd always been jealous of Chrissy because she grew up most of her life with your mother, Chrissy was 17 when she died. Your childhood was littered with memories of staying up late with your sister while she told you stories of your mother. She would tell you everything she could possibly think of, trying to make you feel like you knew her personally. Sometimes you two would sit with your backs touching, and she would pretend to be mom. You would ask her things, talk about school, and Chrissy would respond exactly how mother apparently would. You'd close your eyes and talk for what seemed to be hours, convincing yourself it was indeed your mother.

Meredith was your niece, and she was your world. Her bright smile and light brown curls that bounce about her shoulders, her laughter and her failed attempt at jokes. Her bright green eyes that seemed to hold the rawest form of happiness. You loved that little girl more than anything. You refused to admit it but she is why you are so desperately trying to find this "child taker". You would simple burn the entire world down if something happened to her.

You smile at the thought of her, and raise to your feet. Today, you would go to the police department and try your damnedest to find out as much as you can about the missing children. You sling your bag on your shoulder and walk out, heading down town.