The Strange Disappearance of Bree Clark

1: The First Autumn

Present day...

The leaves around town were turning orange as the summer was coming to a close. The wind began to pick up a chill and even the clouds in the sky began to clear. For most people around the country this day meant nothing but another sign of the upcoming school year. But for everyone in our small town of Melberry, today marked the one month disappearance of seventeen year old, Bree Clark.

The sheriff's office was still holding the investigation of what happened that day but only a few clues were left. All the missing posters are still plastered everywhere so if someone not from around here showed up, they would think there would be tons of kids missing when really it is only one girl. Some posters were starting to tear and blow away in the wind, into the gutters.

I walked down the sidewalk, looking towards the ground until I found Bree's face staring up at me. Those black and white eyes used to be filled with a beautiful color of blue. I remember that photo was taken when I was walking through the woods with her. I was the one to take it and she loved it so much that she didn't delete even when I told her it wasn't even close to the pictures she took. Bree wanted to be a photographer and she was really inspired by all the trees around our town. Whatever that meant. When I took that photo of her I never would have thought I would come back to haunt me every second of the day.

I finally arrived at work and tied on my apron. My boss, Cheryl, came over with a coffee pot and handed it to me, "You're late, Jade."

I sighed, "I know. It's just been a rough morning, you know today is the one month anniversary."

"Oh trust me, the whole town knows about you know who. I know how close you two were and it's the first time you are late, so I will let it slide... Now, start waiting some tables."

She always used the nickname "you know who" for Bree. Bree always came into the diner and I guess this was a way of talking about her to avoid the feelings that her name brought up. Cheryl was a friend to her and I would even go as far as to say she was like a second mother.

"Thanks Cheryl."

She smiled, "Anything for my favorite waitress."

I pinned on my name tag and started to pour cups of coffee for everyone. I walked over to a table that Sheriff Walker was sitting at. He had his cowboy hat sitting on the table surrounded by papers and a poster of Bree.

"Good morning, Sheriff. More coffee?"

He nodded, "Yes... Thank you Jade."

I poured coffee into his empty mug and looked over at the papers he was reading, "So... Did you find anything yet?"

So they are looking into Robby Baker, the star football player. Interesting...

He shook his head, "Very little, we are trying our best though. I am sorry this happened. I know she was your friend."

Ha! Friend. You have no idea.

"Yes, she definitely was a friend. I have to get back to work. Good luck, Sheriff."

"I will talk to you later, Jade."

The rest of my shift went along very quickly and I walked home at 6 pm to find both my parents had gone out with some friends. Exhausted, I untied my black hair from it's restricting bun and took a quick shower. After that and eating an entire box of mac and cheese, I flopped down on my bed passing out immediately.

I dreamed of what it was like when Bree was here. We were walking through the woods without a care in the world while her blonde hair blew in the wind. But, every dream must come to an end. The blaring sound of my alarm rang through my ears, successfully waking me up. I rolled out of bed and got dressed with a beanie covering my hair that I didn't want to brush. Leaving the house I waved goodbye to my parents who were probably hungover due to their partying last night.