The Missing Children Incident

Prologue

October 2nd, 1982

Rain poured steadily outside as young Rachel Blake waited for her father to return to the diner. He had told her that he'd come back to pick her up soon, that he had to help a friend with something that her five year old mind couldn't care to remember. She smoothed out her yellow dress, eyeing the small white polka-dots that broke the yellow, in neat lines all the way down. She loved this dress, it matched so beautifully with her brand new yellow bow that she had gotten for her birthday. She smiled a bit, looking around at the now closing diner. Today had been fun, she had spent the day at her favorite restaurant, singing and dancing along with the magical golden colored rabbit and bear, as they played music on the stage and soon came down to dance with her. It was amazing! A soft voice ripped her out of her thoughts, and from around the corner of the stage, she saw the bunny peeking out at her. He motioned to her, and she grinned.

The rabbit led her out of the back door, telling her that her father was here to take her home. "But first," The rabbit spoke, and she smiled up at him, "A special present, for the birthday girl." Excitement rushed through her, what could this present be? She couldn't wait to find out.

The rabbit just gave her that empty stare, the same enormous grin on the suit's face that was always there. "You have to close your eyes, and count to three. When you get to three, I'll give you your special surprise." Rachel nodded eagerly, and closed her eyes. "One..." Silence. The rabbit didn't move at all. "Two..." She waited, hoping she'd hear movement. And after a moment, she heard the rabbit shuffle a bit. She smiled, ideas of what the rabbit would give her ran through her mind. A bow for her hair? Maybe a new dress? Or the doll that she'd been asking her father for for years? She hoped it was the doll, she wanted that doll so bad.

"Three!" She opened her eyes, and pain enveloped her. She looked up at the rabbit, she didn't understand, she could feel the hot, wet feeling of blood running down her dress. The rabbit just gave her that same awful grin, yanking the bloody knife out of her chest and plunging it back into her. She couldn't even scream. She was absolutely terrified, but her energy was draining with the blood that poured out of her wounds.

The rabbit started at her chest, plunging the knife over and over into the small girl's body. Then, he moved downward, as she toppled to the ground. He started to truly enjoy it, stabbing into her chest, and her stomach, watching the blade enter her body. He watched intently as the sharp blade pierced her delicate flesh, tearing away at the cute polka-dot dress she was wearing, digging deeper and deeper into her, digging into the bone beneath the flesh. He pulled it back when he heard someone call out for her, and hurried away from the crime scene. He hated leaving such a beautiful canvas behind, but he'd get another chance. Maybe next time he'd be able to paint a true masterpiece.