Chapter 2: Figure in the Darkness
The next morning, Emily awoke, alone. She saw that Dan was gone searching for help or something. She put on her shoes and went outside. It was a foggier day than yesterday making for an eerier atmosphere. She had the urge to get back in the van and drive as far from here as possible, but there was some deep and undefined desire to stay. "Dan!" she called, hoping he would answer. She walked for a little while, calling his name and wondering if this was really just a bad dream.
Off in the distance, she could just make out a figure that was slowly (but surely) coming closer. The reporter looked around for a weapon of some sort, for she knew the person... or whatever was NOT Dan. On the ground, by her feet, there was a short metal pole. It wouldn't be much help for defence but it was better than nothing. As the figure loomed closer, Emily readied herself like a baseball player. "Okay, Em, let's save the day..." she told herself. "AAHAWWWWWWWWW" was the reporter's battle cry as she charged at the target... And now as she got even closer, she saw it was a young man. "Huh?" She stopped in her tracks.
The man looked stunned, "Ah! What do you think you're doing?"
Emily dropped the weapon. "What the hell?"
"Um, sorry. You see, I've been alone here for a while."
Emily slowly stepped away. "Who are you, exactly?"
The man nodded. "I came with 4 other officers, and now... well they're all gone."
"Holy crap," Emily muttered, "So what exactly happened?"
"I... I don't know. I mean, there are no bodies; nothing. It's as if they've vanished!" The man sighed. "I'd phone for help, but... none of the phones work here."
"I know. None of the radio equipment in the van is working either. All I can hear is the white noise."
"Do you s'pose I could take a look, Ms..."
"Emily Truman."
He smiled, "I'm Wilson Marley, South Vale Police Department."