Chapter 4: Mysterious Circumstances

The two set off for a house just on the edge of town. It was one of the only buildings that was still in good condition, yet it was still depressing, Alice noted. The roof was thatched and the walls were made of brick. There was the glow of a fire in the hearth coming through the windows, which should have made the house look inviting; instead it made it look only more desolate. Jonathan had just handed Alice a cup of tea when a girl walked into the room. Alice thought she looked about seventeen, but being tall for her age, she was always thought older. She had very long hair that was dark like her father's, but her eyes were an icy blue. She walked with a slight limp, as if she suffered from a sprained ankle.

"Hullo, who's this?" She asked, facing her father.

"She's a state alchemist sent to investigate the disappearances here. Her name is Alice." He replied. She walked over to Alice, and looked her up and down. Then she extended her hand.

"I'm Elisa. Pleased to meet you! I don't really know many others my age. It's nice to make a friend now and then. How old are you?"

"Hi Elisa. Pleased to meet you." She shook Elisa's hand. "I don't have many friends my own age either. I'm seventeen this past January."

"Really? I'm fifteen this month! You're two years older? You look nearly fifteen yourself!" She added laughing. Within moments the two girls were the best of friends.

"Off with you now, Elisa. Alice and I have some important business to deal with. We need to find out what is happening here."

"Yes, Father. Goodnight Alice. Goodnight Father." And with that, she left the room. Alice heard a door closing, and then Jonathan began to speak.

"Now…where to begin?"

"What happened to all the children in the town?" Alice asked, sipping her tea. "Elisa mentioned that she didn't have any friends her own age, and you mentioned it yourself outside."

"That's a big part of what's been going on. Children have been disappearing from their houses late at night. There is never any sign of struggle, no doors or windows open; it seems as if they simply vanished from their beds. Everyone in town is distraught, and without the children to teach or shop, families' businesses are falling apart. Crops are failing, and business in town has stopped dead."

"That's awful!" Alice remarked. "And no one knows where the children have gone?"

"No." Jonathan replied. "We haven't found any signs of them in the surrounding area, either. We haven't the supplies or funds to search other towns, and we wonder if we will ever see our children again." Alice patted his hand reassuringly.

"I'm sure I'll be able to help. At least I can find out who has been taking the children. If I can find out what they're up to, I'm sure finding the others will follow."

"There is one more thing I haven't yet mentioned." Jonathan said. "They disappear one by one. And the house always has a red mark on the door the next day. When it had happened twice, we took a sample of the red 'paint', and it was blood." Alice was shocked to hear this. She gave a little gasp, and Jonathan went on. "We fear the worst. The town's people are frightened. We hope this can all be resolved quickly, and without violence."

"I'll do my best." Alice declared, her voice shaking slightly.

"Now, I think we've had enough talk for one night. We can continue our discussion in the morning. Please, make yourself at home. You may use the spare room at the end of the hall."

"Thank you very much for your kindness." Alice said, gratefully. She picked up her trunk and headed toward the end of the hall. As she passed the door to the side of the hall, she thought she heard quiet sobbing. She reached for the doorknob but then drew her hand back. "She probably doesn't want anyone to know…" She thought to herself. She continued into her room and put down her trunk. Flopping onto the bed, Alice stared into space, lost in thought.

The next thing she knew, it was morning.

"OH NO! I fell asleep!" She hopped off the bed and rushed out of the room.

She walked into the kitchen to apologize for sleeping late, but found it empty.

"Jonathan?" She asked timidly.

"In here," he called. "I'm working on something. Come see."

She headed into the sitting room and Jonathan beckoned her to sit. He pulled out a pile of papers and began searching through them.

"Ah, here it is." He said, passing the paper to her. It was the first page of a manuscript for a novel. Alice skimmed it quickly, ascertaining that it was a story about a young child who goes missing in the spirit world. She noticed the fine handwriting, with it's delicate loops and the precision of the lines.

"It sounds like a wonderful story." Alice commented. "How does it end?"

"I haven't gotten that far yet," Jonathan replied. "I'm writing it for Elisa."

"That's such a sweet thing." Alice said, almost to herself. "I need to head out and begin investigating," she suddenly remembered. "where do you think I should start?"

"I'd begin by speaking to the parents of the missing children." Jonathan handed Alice a list of names and addresses, and wished her luck. After changing into her military uniform, she gathered her resolve and left the house.

Alice headed into the village, and found the first address with little trouble. She knocked on the door and waited for a moment.

"Just a minute!" A voice called out. Alice straightened her uniform and took a deep breath. A flustered looking woman with red hair opened the door. "Can I help you?"

"Good morning, my name is Alice Lensic. I'm here to ask about your son?" Tears filled the woman's eyes as she understood the situation.

"Yes, please, come in." She ushered Alice into another dreary house, with a few toys scattered about the floor and simple wooden furniture adorning the rooms. She sat Alice at a table in the kitchen and asked if she'd like anything.

"No thank you," replied Alice. "I'd like to get work, if that's alright with you."

"Yes, of course. It all began about two weeks ago. My son, Jack, was the first. All day he had been acting strangely, like he didn't understand anything I said to him. That night, I woke with a terrible, choking feeling in my chest. I went to check on Jack, only to find that he wasn't in his bed. His windows were shut, and there was nothing amiss. Just his bed clothes pushed back and his stuffed dog dropped to the floor." As she recalled the events, fresh tears began to spill from her eyes. Alice patted her hand in a comforting gesture. "Thank you," the woman said. "It's just so horrible, not knowing where your child is."

"Don't worry, I promise I'll do my best to find the children." Alice stated. "I will bring them home."