Chapter 1: The Missing
1237 Words
The bell above the café door jingled for what felt like the hundredth time that morning.
"One caramel latte and a blueberry muffin," Mia called, sliding the tray across the counter.
"Thanks, sweetheart."
The elderly woman smiled before making her way to a corner booth.
Jitters Café was unusually busy for a Thursday. Students from Westwood Community College occupied almost every table, some pretending to study while others were more interested in gossip than textbooks.
Barry emerged from the kitchen balancing two steaming plates.
"Mia, table six."
"Got it."
She picked up the order just as the television mounted above the coffee machine interrupted the music.
BREAKING NEWS
The red banner instantly caught everyone's attention.
"...authorities have confirmed another disappearance connected to Blackwood Forest."
Conversations around the café died.
Mia stopped halfway to table six. On the screen, a blonde reporter stood outside a police barricade. Flashing blue and red lights reflected against the trees behind her.
"This morning, nineteen-year-old college freshman Tyler Benson was officially reported missing after failing to return home last night. Friends say he left the campus library shortly after nine o'clock."
The camera shifted to Sheriff Daniel Harper.
"We're asking everyone to remain calm," he said. "Until further notice, avoid Blackwood Forest after sunset and do not walk alone at night."
Barry muttered under his breath.
"Again."
A businessman near the window frowned.
"That's the fourth student this month."
"No," another customer corrected.
"The fifth."
Mia set the food down on table six before returning to the counter.
"Five?"
Barry nodded without taking his eyes off the television.
"The sheriff isn't saying it publicly, but everyone knows."
Cassie rushed through the front door, almost slipping on the wet floor.
"Please tell me I didn't miss the morning rush."
"You missed worse."
Barry pointed toward the television. Cassie's smile disappeared.
"They found another one?"
"They found another missing student."
"That's not any better."
She hurried behind the counter and tied on her apron.
"My mom wouldn't even let me drive here alone."
Barry poured another cup of coffee.
"Can you blame her?"
Cassie looked toward Mia.
"Are you still walking home through Oak Street?"
"It's the quickest route."
"It also runs beside Blackwood Forest."
"It's daytime."
"So?"
"So monsters usually sleep during the day."
Barry snorted.
"Tell that to the customers."
Almost as if on cue, a middle-aged man spoke up from booth four.
"My cousin hunts near Blackwood."
Everyone looked over.
"He swears he heard wolves last weekend."
"Wolves?" someone repeated.
"There haven't been wolves around here in years."
"I'm just telling you what he said."
The room buzzed with nervous whispers.
Mia grabbed a cloth and wiped down the counter.
"You actually believe that?"
Barry shrugged.
"I believe something's happening."
Before she could reply, the bell rang again.
Deputy Mills walked in, removing his cap.
"The usual?" Barry asked.
"You know it."
Mia started preparing his coffee.
"You've been out there?" she asked.
The deputy accepted the cup but didn't smile.
"I have."
"Is it really that dangerous?"
He hesitated.
"Let's just say I've worked in Westwood for thirteen years."
"I've never seen the sheriff close the forest before."
Silence settled over the café.
Even Cassie stopped pretending to organize the pastry shelf. The deputy looked around the room.
"If you value your life..." His voice dropped.
"...stay away from Blackwood after dark."
He left without another word. Only after the door closed did anyone speak again.
"He's trying to scare people." Cassie didn't sound convinced.
Barry looked at Mia.
"What time do you finish classes today?"
"Four."
"I'll drive you home." She smiled.
"I'll be okay."
"I wasn't asking."
***
Westwood Community College looked nothing like the gloomy news reports. Music drifted across the courtyard from a student band. Someone was advertising drama club auditions. A group of freshmen argued over directions to the science building. It almost felt normal.
"Mia!"
She turned as Hudson jogged toward her, waving a notebook above his head.
"You actually made it before class."
"I was only five minutes late."
"You were eight yesterday."
"I prefer not to dwell on the past."
He laughed.
"I like you."
"I hope so."
"We're lab partners."
They fell into step together.
Hudson was impossible not to like. He talked enough for both of them, never seemed embarrassed by anything, and somehow knew everyone on campus.
"So," he said, "you settling in?"
"I'm trying."
"You'll get there."
"My little sister already likes Westwood more than I do."
"The one in high school?"
"Evie."
"That's her."
"Is she still making you cook dinner every night?"
"She calls it emotional support."
Hudson grinned.
"Smart kid."
Their laughter faded as they passed a bulletin board near the administration building.
Five missing-person posters covered almost the entire board. Every face looked painfully young. Some smiled, some didn't.
Someone had placed fresh flowers beneath the posters.
Hudson's expression changed.
"Tyler was in my economics class."
"You knew him?"
"Not well."
He stared at the newest photo.
"He joked with me two days ago."
Mia didn't know what to say. The silence between them felt heavier than any conversation. A line of black SUVs rolled through the campus gates.
Students stopped to watch.
The vehicles pulled up outside the administration building.
The first door opened. A tall man stepped out. Dark hair, broad shoulders, a charcoal suit that fit him a little too well. There was something commanding about the way he walked.
People instinctively moved aside.
Even the dean hurried down the steps to greet him.
"Who's that?" Mia asked.
Hudson glanced over.
"Roy Blackwood."
"The Blackwoods?"
He nodded.
"They own half the businesses in town."
"And fund the other half."
Mia watched as Roy disappeared into the administration building.
Just before entering, he paused.
For the briefest second...
She had the strange feeling he was looking in her direction. Before she could be sure, another student walked between them. When she looked again, he was gone.
Hudson nudged her shoulder.
"You coming?"
"Hm?"
"Class."
"Oh."
She tore her eyes away from the building. For some reason, she couldn't shake the feeling that she'd seen those gray eyes somewhere before.
***
Classes ended later than usual.
By the time Mia started walking home, the sun was already sinking behind Blackwood Forest. Barry's offer to drive her home echoed in her mind.
She should've accepted.
Oak Street was almost empty. The farther she walked, the quieter it became. No traffic, No voices, Only the wind rustling through the trees.
A twig snapped.
She stopped. Probably a squirrel.
Another snap… Closer this time.
Her pulse quickened.
"Mia..."
She froze.
The whisper had been so faint she wasn't sure she'd actually heard it. Slowly, she turned toward the forest.
At first...
There was nothing. Then two icy-blue eyes opened in the darkness between the trees.
A massive black wolf stepped into a shaft of fading sunlight. It didn't growl, It didn't move, It simply watched her.
Every instinct screamed at her to run. She took one slow step backward. The wolf lowered its head.
Another branch cracked somewhere deeper in the forest. The wolf's ears snapped toward the sound.
Its entire body tensed.
Then, without warning, it lunged, not toward her, but back into the trees. A heartbeat later, a chilling howl echoed through Blackwood Forest.
Mia stood rooted to the spot. She had no idea...
...that something else had been watching her from the shadows.
- Writer
