Dark City

15.

Carl didn't head home until just a couple hours before sunrise. The shadows hung heavy amidst the low hanging boughs of the trees that encapsulated Shark River Hills. He couldn't help but think of some evil soul living in one of these houses. Most likely one of his own neighbors knew something or did something. Carl navigated the winding roads carefully. Shrouded in dark trees, Shark River Hills could feel like a maze. Driving through at night, even a man who had lived there all his life could get lost. Carl followed the streets until he saw the light in front of his house flickering with an ugly buzz.

Inside, Tom and Lacey were passed out together on the living room couch, the TV spilling blue light over them. Carl remembered the late nights with his ex-wife, the yelling at midnight, the varied reiterations of "I don't love you anymore." It was lucky Tom had found someone. Carl could be looking at his future daughter-in-law for all he knew.

Carl tried to think of the last time he went on a date. Women his age were all so desperate that it was hard to look beyond their jaded outlooks and credit card debts. He was more interested in philosophical pursuits. He liked feeding the ducks in the pond outside the station. He liked reading in bed until his eyes got too tired to go any longer. The autumn years, they say, are a time for spirituality and contemplation. Carl was just fine with that. He'd spent his life wisely. He'd kept the trash off the streets. He'd loved a woman once, loved her dearly. But for him, partnership was never in the cards. He wanted to go it alone.

A half eaten casserole was getting stale on the kitchen counter. Smelling the garlic and roasted eggplant, Carl couldn't resist helping himself. He ate without heating it up or sitting down. He just needed fuel and a glass of wine to unwind. With a malbec in hand, he sat down in his recliner sofa chair and listened to the news story that was playing.

How could this happen here? That's what they were all asking, like Shark River Hills had some veil of protection that kept its children safe. Neptune City knew its share of criminal activity. It was only a matter of time before that evil leaked into the quiet suburb. Now that a wholesome Christian white girl was missing, the local media was showing her picture 24/7. Carl swirled the wine in his glass and watched the red tears cling to the crystal.

"Local girl Alexandria Stockton went missing Thursday night. Anyone with information that might assist them in their investigation should contact Detective Saul Hersh at the Neptune City Detective Bureau. The Stockton family has come forward, asking for support from their neighbors and friends during this terrifying ordeal."

Next the parents of Alexandria Stockton appeared on the screen. The father held the mother. Their eyes looked drained.

"Alex is going to be attending Princeton University in the fall," the mother said. "We are begging the community to help us find her. If you know anything, please, please, I implore you as a mother, call the detectives and help them find my little girl."

The general attitude of everyone they interviewed was that of complete shock. The people in Shark River Hills didn't stay up all night worrying about the gangbangers on Heck Avenue or the quiet overdoses in the middle of the night. This was a neighborhood where people felt safe walking their dogs late at night, or leaving their windows open.

"Shark River Hills might have a devil lurking in its midst," said the reporter. Reporters loved to play up a good story. They were waiting for some hero to pull Alexandria out of the clutches of Hell so they could proclaim him a crusader.

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Music: Muse "Hysteria"

Hey cats,

I just wanted to say thanks. Thanks for coming to my world. Pressing the star button. Participating in this crazy little corner of cyberspace. <3

Yours truly,

The Author