The Lake of a Thousand Voices

The Search

It is a warm day in Northcliffe, West Australia and the search continues for the missing teenage kids. it has been 48 hours and still no sign or lead on their whereabouts. Police offices Alice Moore and her search team along with the canine search and rescue team have searched as far as Greater Dordagup National Park as well as Jane National Park and Boorara Gardner National Park where the chanting and screaming allegedly are heard by the people that reside in the nearby area but still nothing. Please stay alert and after the break, we visit our fashionista born and raised in Northcliffe to share his amazing journey and how he became a fashion designer.'

The TV in the background was turned to maximum volume but because it was an old TV it couldn't reach the volume it should. All the people at the Frienzique cafe was silent for the duration of the news and then continued talking as the advert started. Everyone was frightened and concerned about the missing teens as it does not happen often and especially in this small town everyone knows everyone. The town was peaceful everyone got along and if there was an issue it was talked out at the police station and life moved on, however, the elders did not speak much about the history of the town and the youngsters grew up learning the economical growth since 1923 when the town started to take shape and was established. An old couple who was regulars at Frienzique cafe slurped their coffee as they looked around at all the people coming and going, they would spend hours at the cafe just sitting and enjoying the news they got from all their neighbors as they come and go. A man dressed in black pants and white shirt, a neatly folded checkers green and orange tie around his collar accompanied by a black blazer and a dashing red rose sticking out from his breast pocket sitting at a two-seater table hoping his company would arrive soon as he glanced at his watch ever so often and a few teenage kids just coming from school gathered around a table with their books out doing homework and studying. Two elegantly dressed ladies giggling and gossiping at the lounge area where two couches and a coffee table were arranged neatly. Some people just came to get take away beverages as everyone knew the best muffins and coffee was served at Frienzique cafe owned by a middle-aged couple who started this cafe 5 years ago. Now they are serving freshly baked cakes and tarts, muffins, cupcakes, small sandwiches, and fresh 100% fruit juices along with homemade ice-creams and jelly. Children loved spending their afternoons there with their friends and the cafe made a big name in the tourism industry and a must-see when visitors arrive in Northcliffe. By now the anxiously waiting man found relief as he set eyes on his lady friend entering the cafe.

"I'm so glad to finally see you, I thought you might have chickened out..." The man said while standing up and pointed to the chair opposite him. "No, not at all, I lost track of the time and had to pick up a package at the post office. I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting." She said as she sat down followed by him sitting down. "Have you heard the news?" The man asked "Yes I have it's horrible, can't believe and I was just telling my parents to come and retire here because it's so safe and peaceful. Have you ever heard those strange chanting and screams everyone is talking about? my friend the other day said she swore she saw people with black cloaks moving through the woods." she replied. 

"No, I've never heard that before. Have you?" He asked

"No, never. It is kind of freaky and I have been feeling very jittery and scared at times especially at night." She said while rubbing her hands on her upper arms. 

"Could just be someone playing tricks... but the kids that gone missing is taking it too far if it was just a joke."  The man said while holding his hand up to try and get a waiter's attention. Soon thereafter a waitress stood right next to their table. "How can I help? We have amazing specials on our cheesecake if you buy two latte's you get two slices cheesecake free." The waitress said with a broad smile. 

"Sounds divine, what do you think?" the man asked his lady friend. "Sure sound delicious."

"Please can we have that special then?" The man asked. "Coming right up." The waitress curtsied and then walked away to complete the order.

A call came through on the man's phone just as he was about to speak, when he saw who it was he seemed shocked. "Sorry I have to take this, it's my boss." he excused himself as he stood up and answered the phone while walking out of the cafe.

"Detective Collin Brickman?" He answered. "Brickman, do you have any new leads on the missing kids?"

"No Sir, the search teams are out still looking for them and I have questioned almost everyone in this town," Collin replied swiftly with confidence, even though he knew it was nonsense coming from his mouth. Upon his arrival in Northcliffe a day ago he went straight to the nearest bar in town hooked up with the lady sitting in the cafe 

"If we don't get results fast your ass will be on the line. People need answers, I didn't send you there for nothing." The man on the other side of the phone sounded very agitated.

"Yes, Sir I'm on it," Collin said and then hung up the phone. Collin Brickman was well known in Queensland and is still the best detective Australia has. With over 230 cases solved since he started his career up until now, he had way too much pride. Getting involved with many women was an addiction to him never the less he was well put together and extremely good at his job. Little did he know what was waiting in the woods.

He made it back inside and excused himself leaving a tip for the waitress and left. The lady was not too impressed but did let it slide this time as it was only their first date after meeting at the supermarket. 

At the base camp where the search team set up their station, Collin arrived to get the latest updates which were somewhat of a disappointment. "How far have you set trail and what about the sights of the people with cloaks? have you checked there? Are there any signs of anything out of the ordinary?" Collin threw the questions to everyone who was standing around. "No Sir... I mean Detective Brickman, No signs yet nothing found that was out of the ordinary and Yes we did check where the people saw them but nothing to be learned." A man replied.

"Excuse me? who do you think you are?" Alice Moore the head police officer asked as she walked towards Collin. Collin gave her a look from top to bottom and said, "Now this is a sight for sore eyes officer...?" 

"Officer Alice Moore head of Northcliffe police and I'm asking again, who are you?" Alice asked with a disgusted look on her face while folding her arms as she lifted her head slightly to point her nose up in the air. "Oh, I'm sorry did no one filled you in? I am Detective Collin Brickman from the Australian Federal Police Department and try to stay with the program darling you might learn a few things." Collin said with a laugh ever so sarcastically. Alice lifted her one eyebrow not believing what she is hearing a detective speaking to her in such a rude manner. 

"How dare you speak to me that way!? It doesn't mean because you are a detective it gives you any right to talk to me that way, I demand an apology!" Alice spoke in a harder tone of voice while taking a step closer to gain superiority. Collin gave her a sweet smile and with no hesitation, he gave her an apology but not the one she was looking for. "I am so truly sorry for taking over your investigation but I do believe you will do better having me around. So I am going to need you to come with me as you know these woods better than me so I can have a look around but first, that hair color makes you look old have you tried making it red?" Collin grabbed a two-way radio that was standing on the charger port from the table and made a gesture to Alice to do the same. Disgusted, frustrated, and confused Alice stood there with no more words to say. She grabbed the other two-way radio and started walking into the woods as Collin followed. 

In silence, they traveled through the woods no words were said only the sounds of birds chirping and bugs flying around. Alice did not even glance at him and didn't even notice him looking at her from time to time. The sound of twigs and leaves crushing and crumbling underneath their feet as they walked sure did give the woods a creepy vibe and at the same time, it gave Collin the opportunity to study Alice a bit more. Being the best detective on the force, Collin had the ability to read people on an extremely concentrated level and could detect what nobody else could he knew just how to handle the hardest heads in preforming any task given by him. He could get away with murder with his charming leadership skills and no one will even realize it, however, his handsome exotic looks have gotten his heart broken numerous times so he decided to become a happy go lucky man and learned not to tie his feelings down or wear his heart on his sleeves. 

"So, Detective Collin Brickman... How long have you've been in town?" Alice asked

"Not too long I arrived yesterday afternoon then went to the Woody Creek Bar, it was the first bar I could find, and then met with a rather interesting lady we had a wonderful time, I must say that bar has some exquisite choices of alcohol and so cheap, anyways then she told me to meet her for brunch at the Friendzique Cafe, what a lovely place really captures the essence of nature combined with pure love and taste... oh and then my boss phoned so I figured it's time to work. How about you... how long have you been here?" Collin reaps the benefit of confusion as it creates a window of opportunity to twist and change to get his way, besides the ladies find it irresistibly charming. 

  Alice stopped dead in her tracks, astounded by the calm and collective way Collin spoke and had no words to reply. She gave him a death stare as her mouth quivered trying to find the right words to say but couldn't find anything to alleviate the rage bubbling up in her chest. Collin could see her anger by the way she clenched her fists, not that it bothered him at all it gave him more satisfaction than watching a wrestling match. As angry as Alice was she learned that arguments aren't the best way to solve problems besides they had bigger problems to attend to, and without a word, she turned around and continued leading the way. 'How can a man be so damn rude and call himself the best detective there is thinking the sun shines only on him... who on earth does he think he is!?' Alice wondered. 

"What on earth?" Collin said as he came to a stop while pointing to a tree with fresh blood running down from it. Alice made her way to the tree and both of them gathered to investigate. "It's fresh?" Alice commented as she looked to him for answers. Collin took a swap stick and collected a sample while inspecting the blood, he then took a walk around the tree to look for more marks but found nothing more. "What do you think detective?" Alice asked with a pinch of sassiness almost challenging him to test his abilities, not as if she knew any better about what happened here. 

"It might be a kidnapping... the kids could have gotten hurt, perhaps left a mark to lead us to them?" Collin speculated then looked around at the other trees to hopefully see more blood. "Because this is so fresh, they might have gotten themself lost, someone crossed their path, kidnapped them not too long ago." Collin speculated as he studied the ground at the tree for footprints or any sign of people being here he studied each tree close by for more evidence but there was nothing to be found, no footprints no more blood.

"The kids could have injured the kidnapper and it could be his blood?" Alice suggested.

"Aww now look who is putting in some effort to try and figure this out, ten points for trying but I dought that hun." Collin swiftly replied with a sarcastic smile. Alice shook her head and sighed as she reached for her phone to log a followup of their findings.

"Hey do me a favor darling, could you order some cheese sandwiches and a coke I'm starving?" Collin said as he continued looking around the floor for clues. "Sure Mr. President would you like me to add an ice-cream too?" Alice arrogantly proposed and turned around standing with her back to Collin

"That actually sounds delicious, yes please, you're too kind," Collin said with a big smile. 

'Really, he's really getting on my nerves' She thought as one of her team members answered the phone.

"Hi, Robin we found some blood but no trace of anything else its a dead end but we will still be looking in the close-by area. Could you send some canine teams to my location?" She ordered 

"Yes ma'am, on it!" Robin replied

"So let me get this straight. You are a single lady who had enough of men and their drama so instead, you enjoy ordering them around keeping them on a leash but because of your bad childhood experiences, you had to build ten feet walls to protect your heart. let me see, you were abused as a child by your father? your mother was a drunk, you are the oldest sibling because you hold that superiority in your walk and tone of voice, you hate being undermined yet I must give you some credit for keeping your cool, anger management is key and also your favorite color is purple. How far off was I?" Collin spoke as he moved around the woods. To her surprise, most of it was on the spot true... her mouth slightly hung open as a chill went down her spine, Collin sure did hit a note deep down within her soul. "You see that that is a surprised look with a hint of confusion. But what do I know anyway... let us continue, I have a date later on and I do not wish to arrive late, it leaves a bad impression." Collin said as he picked a path and started to walk.

The search went on for hours, canines could be heard barking in all directions and crushing of leaves and twigs as they marched through the woods. Collin excused himself two hours before dark and made his way back to the bar to meet up with his lady friend and Alice stayed behind to do her job. Soon it was dark and Alice called off the search until the next morning as there were thunderstorms accumulating in the sky. The search, for now, was not bearing any more fruitful discoveries but the blood that was found did keep the case open for further investigation and a fresh search party for the next day.