The Protective Entity (A Buzzfeed Unsolved AU)

3

The entire car ride to the office left an aching feeling in my chest. I was concerned for Ryan's mental health but also for the mishap of what happened the other night. Maybe the higher-ups thought we were too reckless. I was probably going to get chewed out for over an hour from Katie and David, who was the lead director of the entertainment department. Probably fill out a few accident reports.

I didn't expect for a single moment when I joined the team that I would be doing something like this. I wanted to put my ability to good use, but more for feeling the reception of consumers and clients and getting their mood so I could modify what we did. I began as an interviewer, mostly behind cameras. I could always tell if a person was lying and made sure I got the most accurate answers possible. Besides that, I took extra measure to get every last detail.

Finally, I pulled into my designated parking spot, grabbed my backpack and duffel bag filled with camera pieces, and hauled everything to my office. I recently got a bigger space. It was cramped, but gave me a little privacy if I needed it.
Then, I paged Katie to let her know I was in.
"Hey, I'm here. Are you ready for me to head up there?" I said.
"Actually, uh, I'm going to come there instead. Just stay seated. I'll be right there." she replied.
I sank back in my seat and my throat became a little dry. I could sense fear in her voice, almost utter dread.
I watched her approach the door and I jumped a little when the knob turned.
The entire room grew cold, my head feeling weightless. A distant ringing sang in my ears but I tried to pay attention to her, shutting out the alarms in my head.
"What's up?" I ask, trying to remain calm.
"Ryan...he...he's missing. He hasn't shown up or answered his phone. We had his girlfriend look for him. He's nowhere to be found. We got the cops to investigate. There is not a single trace to where he could be. His car is still in the garage near his loft, the keys are still inside along with his phone." she explained, growing more pale. Do you think he could have been snatched up when he arrived this morning?" I asked.
"We're not sure. We tried looking through the footage but from 5:00am to around 10:00am the image is pixelated and laggy. I just don't know. But you were his best friend in this office. Do you know anything at all that may have happened to him?" she continued.
I paused, then my heart skipped a beat.
"Show me the car..." I said.

We ran out to his car and searched beneath it, in the seats, on the windshield.
Then I spotted it on the wheel.
A single red thumbprint was on it fading away like he was getting dragged off and bleeding.
I nodded, "Shit. Alright, get the police on this. I feel a weird presence here."
"What do you mean?" Katie asked.
I realized I pretty much revealed my power.
"I can't explain it now. J-Just get someone." I said.
Katie's eyes widened. "What happens if he really is kidnapped?"
"Let's hope we don't have to find out. We're going to get him back." I declared.