Aim to Engage Short Stories

Mystery prompt - Missing

 'Bye, have a nice day!' The cashier smiled as she handed me my receipt. I smiled, taking it.

'Thanks. You too!' 

I stuffed the last of my groceries in my backpack and slung it over my shoulder. I walked towards the door, slowing as I passed the bulletin board. 

I was new in town but soon learned all events were announced on the board. 

The first event I went to, I found through the board, I met some awesome people, which really helped with making my move a little easier. 

My eyes shoot across the board, taking note of anything and everything interesting. 

There was a new running group, someone was looking for a dog walker, not really my thing, but the announcement had a really cute picture of a dog, an invitation to a neighborhood barbeque. 

The bulletin board was filled with colorful papers and flyers as per usual, but in the middle of the board, covering a few flyers hung a large white sheet of paper that had only now managed to catch her eye. 

She frowned as she read the headlines: 

MISSING. Gabbie Green, missing, originally from Chicago, Illinois, last seen in Chicago, Illinois on the night of November 12th, 2019. Please contact your local police department if you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Gabbie Green. 

My eyes locked on the picture, my lips parting in surprise. The world around me spun and I grabbed the sheet of paper, tearing it from the bulletin board. 

My mind felt numb as I navigated to the police bureau. The streets were white, which usually would have cheered me up, but not today. Not this time. 

I mindlessly made my way through the streets, hardly paying attention to my surroundings.

 I stepped into the police station, the announcement still in my hand. 

The ring of the bell above the door seemed to pull me back into reality and suddenly everything was sharp again. 

I walked to the nearest desk with an officer behind me. He looked up, a kind smile on his face.

'Good afternoon, ma'am, how can I help you?' I nodded weakly, placing the sheet of paper in front of it.

'Yes... I... Appear to be missing.' 

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372 words. A shorter one this time, but I really didn't wanna add any more...

Song: As It Seems - Lily Kershaw

Hope you enjoyed!

Lots of love,

Em,