Disclaimer: Me no own...

Manchester Iowa. A quiet, peaceful, small, down to earth town. A place where everyone is a friend, and no one has secrets. It's the place where I grew up. I've lived here my whole life, nothing interesting has ever happened to me, and I thought nothing would. But now, I'm beginning to think otherwise.

Lately, there had been reports about people going missing in ours, and surrounding, towns. It seemed that all of the victims have been under 20 years of age also. I, of course, being a fairly young girl, didn't take it really seriously, I was the person who thought nothing would happen to me and my friends...I was wrong.

It all happened one day, a couple months ago. Me and my best friend (and secret crush) Ben had gone to see a movie and then went out for pizza. We're 17 and can handle things on our own. So, we went out together often, but only as friends. Because unfortunately, that's just what we were...friends. That was the day that Ben was taken. By who? I don't know. Will we ever find him? I still don't know. Do I miss him? Like crazy. And will I ever see him again? I really hope so...

Even though he was taken a few months ago, I remember everything so clearly.

Ben and I had just gotten out of the movie, and we were going to his car. I was cold, so of course, he gave me his jacket. Normally, that should probably feel kind of awkward, because I liked him, and we were best friends, but not dating. Yet, it wasn't awkward at all, with Ben, nothing is awkward. Once we were in his car we drove to the pizza parlor.

We sat at the table, waiting for our pizza to arrive. "So, did you like the movie Elli?" he asked. Elli was my nickname, it was short for Elizabeth.

"Yeah, it was good. Thanks for buying my ticket...I would've gotten it, ya know?"

"I know, I wanted to get it for you...You shouldn't have to pay all the time.." he said, making me blush. Fortunately, before he had time to see me, the the pizza arrived. We talked a little while we had pizza, but not too much, there really was nothing to talk about. Once we were done we paid the lady and left. Once we were outside, the nightmare began.

I saw to blurry figures speed in front of us, and just as quickly as the came, they were gone. "Did you see that?" I asked Ben, nervously. Maybe, hopefully, it was just my imagination acting up from the scary movie we had just seen..but inside I knew that wasn't it.

"Yeah, I thought it was just my imagination..." Well, that confirmed my frightening suspicions, the frightening thing was real. Suddenly, it happened again. But this time there were two, and I could feel the cool breeze as they were passed. We started walking faster, to get to his car. Then, we heard two deep, low, hair raising chuckles. I felt another big gust of wind, but this time it was right by my side, the side that Ben was on. I looked to my left to see nothing. I spun around, searching for him. There was nothing, no one. I called out, but all I heard was an echo of my own voice. I felt myself slipping, then, there was nothing.

It turns out I had passed out and didn't wake up for days. When I did, all I could do was ask about Ben. Apparently they have been searching for him since the day after the movie theater, but with little luck, have found nothing. It was like he vanished into thin air..literally.

The whole searching unsuccessfully went on for about a month and a half, and nothing came up. Week by week I waited, watched for sights..but still it was the same. No leads, no clues as to where he was, nothing. It's now been three months and he hasn't showed up or been found. My life pretty much been a daze. Even in my zombie-like state, I seemed to manage making a new friend, Tasha. Who is trying to get me out of my depression, but is not having much luck. It's just so hard, loosing your best friend, and nothing can fill the hole left behind. But, she is helping, little by little. The hole is not necessarily being filled, but patched up, and healing, somewhat. Even with all her help...I still hope he comes back, I don't know what I will do with out him.

Short chapter, I know, but I needed to introduce everything. So read it, review, show me some love :P

well...luv to all

Fattylumpkins