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‘The Case of the Missing Socks’

12 Friday Dec 2025

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The sun rose at 6.03 on the morning of 6th January 2026 and already the temperature is 26 degrees and climbing.

There was no wind to speak of and for all intents and purposes it looks like a normal summer’s day in Balmain one of Sydney’s inner suburbs not far from the iconic harbour bridge.

Inside their cozy terrace home the Rothchild family are sitting around the kitchen table gulping down bowls of corn flakes with vegemite layered with loads of butter on the side.

‘I bet you are excited about your netball final tomorrow morning Maddie?’ Amy Rothchild asks her daughter while she takes her empty bowl over to the sink.

‘I sure am mum’ replies Maddie replies chewing on her first piece of toast ‘With my super human shooting power and lightning footwork the other team won’t know what hit them.’

Across the table Maddie twin brother Marcus rolls his eyes ‘Netball is easy if you are tall and gawky but you shouldn’t last five minutes in a game of rugby league where you need to be tough and strong and run up and down the field, not stand in one spot waiting for the ball to be thrown to you, no wonder you are getting a little porky Mads.’

Before Maddie gets a chance to say anything Richard Rothschild holds up a hand ‘Marcus say sorry to your sister that remark was uncalled for ‘Sorry sis, I hope you win the game tomorrow and take home player of the match.’

With siblings there can be a fine line between love and intense competition.

After Richard leaves to go to work at his law firm and the twins have gone upstairs to change into their school uniforms Amy sits down to have a well earned cup of coffee and a cold slice of toast.

As she drinks her espresso Amy thinks about her family and how lucky she is to have them in her life.

Sure the twins who will turn 11 years old in May may bicker and fight every now and then but deep down there is a genuine love for each other.

Maddie the elder of the two by one hour is now a little tall for her age and she can be a bit gawky at times but she is a confident extroverted child with lovely long blonde hair and sparkling green eyes who loves to be the centre of attention.

Marcus on the other hand who despite his out burst at breakfast is timid and wary around other people so he spends a lot of time in his room playing video games but since he started playing footy last year Marcus is slowly starting to come out of his shell and unlike his twin he has wavy dark brown hair, green eyes and is of average height for his age.

At the kitchen sink washing up the dishes Amy pats her belly and smiles because she has a secret to share with Richard at their 11th wedding anniversary dinner tonight.

After kissing the twins goodbye, leaving them in the capable hands of their neighbour Catherine Richard drives Amy towards the harbour where they will celebrate their anniversary with family and friends.

‘Bugs and Hugs’ is a seafood restaurant located on the water with a stunning view of the opera house and luna park and it is famous for having the freshest seafood in town that includes of course huge Balmain Bugs.

The extended family eat until they are about ready to burst, around 9 o’clock things begin to wind down and after saying a final congratulations to the happy couple the last of the well wishers depart.

‘Alone at last’ Richard says ‘I can’t believe how fast the years have flown by and why you chose me of me to be your husband when you could have picked someone better looking.’

‘What are you talking about?’ Amy whispers ‘The first time I saw your smile and jet black hair across the room at university I was smitten, you reminded me of a Clark Kent who quickly turned into my superman.’

‘I might have to start wearing my underpants on the outside’ Richard laughs ‘But seriously Amy when I asked you out on our first date I thought that I had died and gone to heaven’

Leaving the restaurant the happy couple drive home hoping that the twins are in bed so they can celebrate their anniversary alone but when Richard pulls in the driveway Catherine the babysitter is standing outside the front door waiting for them. ‘What’s wrong Catherine? Did the twins play up more than usual?’ Amy implores the babysitter. ‘No, Mrs Rothschild ‘But Maddie had a bit of tantrum over a missing sock or something so I thought that I should warn you before you went inside.’

‘Thanks Catherine, come by in the morning and I will pay you for tonight.’

‘Mummy you know that i have a favourite pair of netball socks right?’ Amy nods her head even though she has no idea what her daughter is talking about ‘Just wear another pair to your final, after all it is just a sock what’s the big deal?’

‘WHAT’S THE BIG DEAL?’ Maddie screams ‘I have worn the same pair of socks for eleven weeks straight and we have won every game and now i am supposed to wear another pair of socks for the final game of the year? The other girls will laugh at me, can’t you do anything mum?’

‘Honey I don’t know where your sock has gone to, maybe the tooth fairy took it by mistake. ‘Or’ Marcus says in amusement ‘Maybe your sock has been kidnapped by a rascally gang of thieves who are now all holding their breath after getting a whiff of your stinker.’

Amy and Richard struggle to contain smiles at their son’s strange sense of humour ‘Thank you Marcus for your input’ Richard smirks ‘But you aren’t exactly helping the situation.’

Marcus just shrugs his shoulders before returning to his video game.

‘See mum even my dorky brother isn’t taking my situation seriously.’

‘Calm down Maddie everything will turn out okay, you’ll see.’

But of course everything didn’t turn out okay because after missing two easy shots at goal in her netball final Maddie lost all confidence and was replaced and to make matters worse her team The Heat lost to their fierce rivals The Raptor’s 35-16.

Surprisingly Maddie was cool calm and collected on the way home plus Amy brightened everyone’s mood by stopping at KFC for a huge bucket of finger licking chicken pieces.

After devouring their lunch the Rothschild family all get changed into some ‘I wouldn’t dare wear these daggy clothes in public’ before settling down in front of the big arse TV to watch ‘Frozen’ for perhaps the 27th time.

Halfway through the movie Amy fills the washing machine with dirty clothing and as she does Amy is once again bewildered how a family of four can wear as many clothes as a small army in just a day.

As she loads the machine Amy notices the offending pair of netball socks and smiles ‘Come out nice and clean or better yet just disappear and become a part of the missing sock legend.’

An hour later after hanging out the wash Amy lays down on the couch for her customary 20 minute nanna nap to freshen up but as she snoozed Amy had a nightmare about a huge one eyed purple monster who went on a rampage killing children and stealing all of their socks and to make matters worse when she brought in the dry clothing one of the netball socks was missing

As she prepared dinner that night Amy tried to put the sock that had gone M.I.A out of her mind but she couldn’t shake the feeling that one of the neighbours with a sock fetish was stealing socks to satisfy their sick minds.

After the kids had finished eating they both went into their rooms letting Amy question Richard in private’ Honey, I know that this might sound weird but do you know anyone around here who has a desire to collect socks?’

‘No, but old man Jenkins two doors down likes to wear his wives dresses when he mows his backyard but as far as sock collecting goes nobody springs to mind, why do you ask dear?’

;Well, when i brought the clothes in earlier one of Maddie’s netball socks was missing and i know that I hung them both on the line so I am thinking that we should have a motion detector installed to catch the thief in the act.’

‘Amy don’t you think that you are overreacting just a bit because after all it is just the odd missing sock’ but after seeing the look of dismay on his wives face Richard’s demeaner softens ‘But if a motion detector will put your mind at ease I will look into it and have one installed pronto.’

‘Thank you Richard I knew that you would understand because knowing that someone is coming into yard to pinch some socks gives me the creeps.’

A technician arrives on Wednesday to install the motion detector sensor and immediately he has a feeling that the lady of the house might be a Karen in waiting ‘Excuse me Nigel but please make sure that the sensor picks up any slight movement in every inch of the backyard because I want to catch the sock thief in the act.’

‘Sorry Mrs Rothchild but that isn’t a very good idea because if I do what you ask any small animal like a mouse, cat or a possum crossing your yard will be spotted which means that the sensor light will flash a hundred times a night.’

‘I hear what you are saying Nigel but please do as I ask and make sure that you use the brightest light bulbs on the market.’

‘Sure thing Mrs Rothschild, I have the perfect lights for you out in my van.’

After fetching a couple of bulbs normally used to illuminate a cricket ground Nigel wanders back whistling an old Aerosmith classic ‘Bright Light Fright’.

The Rothschild family are all seated around the dinner table that night talking about their day while they eat when suddenly the motion sensor is activate causing them to dive for cover.

‘Holy crap’ Marcus screams excitedly ‘I think a freaking UFO just landed in our backyard.’

Running towards the back door Maddie hollers out ‘Hopefully E.T is onboard and wants to come inside to play.’

‘Come back here you two’ Richard demands’ Okay Amy what did you tell the technician to do?’

Sheepishly tells her husband that she told Nigel to install the brightest lights that he had ‘I guess he took me at my word.’

‘He sure did Amy, our yard will now surely be visible from outer space.’

Shaking his head Richard goes out and deactivates the motion sensor.

While the ruckus detracted the Rothschild family another sock has been taken from right under their noses.

Once the kids had settled down Richard calls Nigel who promises to come around in the morning in replace the blinding bulbs with more suitable replacements. ‘Please don’t listen to my wife, she has a bad case of the missing socks blues.’

‘I heard that’ Amy yells out from the living room.

Feeling a little sheepish Richard opens the fridge and pours a glass of Amy’s favourite wine from a cask as a peace offering but when the fridge door closes he notices a lone sock draped over a kitchen chair ‘What the fuck’ he whispers not wanting the kids to hear him swear.

After looking under the kitchen table Richard shakes his head in dismay ‘What are you doing in here Richard?’ Amy asks ‘I heard you pour a glass of wine five minutes ago.’

‘Jesus Amy, you scared the crap out of me, I was just looking for something that I misplaced earlier.’

‘Would it happen to be a sock Richard?

‘Well now that you mention, one of my socks I left fraped over a chair has gone walkabout.’

‘Lets not talk about socks anymore, why don’t we go into the living room and relax and maybe talk about trying another Karma Sutra position when the kids are asleep.’

‘Richard the last time we did that you ended up in hospital with a slipped disc in your back so no more Karma Sutra for me thank you very much.’

‘Missionary is nice but who knows what will happen honey bunch.’

‘What are you two whispering about over there? Marcus enquires from across the room.

‘I swear Marcus, you have the hearing of a bat but I was just telling your father that we should donate to the mission church down the street.’

‘Cool, I just thought that you might have been talking about sex that’s all.’

Richard and Amy burst out laughing ‘No son’ Richard replies ‘We are a Christian family who believe in abstinence, now it is time for bed and don’t forget to brush your teeth first.’

‘Come on Maddie, let’s leave before mum and dad alone they decide to some Karma Sutra Christian sex.’

‘Richard about our sock situation, did you know that socks have been mysteriously disappearing all over the world for hundreds of years?’

‘Yes Amy I have heard about the crazy cotton blend sock Bermuda Triangle but can we please talk about something else for a change?’

‘Do you think that I am crazy Richard? Because I will have you know that I will stop searching for the culprit responsible for the missing socks, also Richard did you happen to know that since we moved in here almost fifty socks have done the dipsy doodle, so stick that in your pipe and smoke it.’

‘Amy calm down, you are completely overreacting to a little issue and to tell you the truth I think that you should see your doctor and get a prescription for your mood swings.’

‘Mood swings? Amy screams loudly ‘That’s it Richard you go and perform your Karma Sutra Christian sex position’s one handed but don’t come crying to me when you do you back in again.’

‘I will sleep on the couch where I will get some peace and quiet not having to listen to your chainsaw snoring all night.’

Knowing that he has lost this argument Richard holds his head up and toddles off to bed.

After tossing and turning on the couch Amy decides to go and do something constructive but first makes herself a cup coffee while she decides what household chore to do first.

As she sips the soothing drink Amy’s eyes keep drifting towards the open laundry door where the washing machine of ill repute resides ‘Alright you evil machine, tell me where you have stashed all of my family’s missing socks right this minute because if you don’t I will tear you apart rivet by rivet.’

Leaving the dregs of her coffee behind Amy grabs Richard’s toolbox from a shelf in the laundry ‘Last chance, speak up now or be nothing but a pile of metal by days end.’

‘Daddy wake up, I think that someone is trying to break into our house.’

After a few more shakes Richard finally responds ‘What are you doing in here Marcus, I was having a nice dream about a woman who expertise was, well I will tell you more about it when you turn sixteen.’

‘Daddy stop talking and listen, someone is at the backdoor trying to break in.’

Sticking an ear up Richard clearly hears faint noises coming from the laundry ‘I think you are right Marcus, now go back to you room while I go out to the laundry to see what in the hell is happening.’

‘But Daddy’ a scared Marcus whispers to his father ‘What if it is a big monster trying to break in?’

‘Don’t worry son’ Richard whispers back ‘Monsters are usually inside already hiding in a closet or under a bed now go back to your room and don’t worry.’

When he reaches the bottom of the stairs Richard’s brain tells him that it probably wasn’t a very smart idea to tell his young son that a monster could be hiding somewhere in his bedroom ‘Sorry son, just close your eyes and think good thoughts.’

Knowing that he will need a weapon of some sort Richard picks up an iron poker from the fire place before he silently creeps towards the laundry’.

‘Come out you fuckers I know you in there someplace.’

Upon hearing Amy’s voice Richard quickens his pace to discover a laundry full of discarded washing machine parts and his wife looking frustrated and forlorn.

‘Amy what in the fuck are you doing? You woken up the kids and probably the next door neighbours as well ‘Now what do you have to say for yourself?’

Before Amy can reply approaching police sirens fill the night air ‘Marcus must have called the police’ Richard tells his wife ‘He was one very frightened little boy Amy, he thought a monster was break in but I reassured him that monsters don’t need to break in’

‘I will stop talking now but the police will most certainly will have more to say about having to respond to a false alarm.’

After the police leave Richard comforts his distraught wife ‘Everything will be okay Amy, you let the missing socks get to you that’s all, remember yesterday when you told me that socks have been disappearing for hundreds of years and in all of that time nobody has come up with an answer to the puzzle.’

‘But to put your mind I will arrange for a private detective to come around plus a tradie to put the washing machine out of it’s misery.’

Amy smiles faintly ‘Thanks Richard, it is only 4.30 so we could go upstairs and practice a few more Karma Sutra positions?

‘Sorry’ Richard smiles’ ‘But I tried the one handed position you suggested last night and I think that i have damaged a tendon in my elbow.’

Laughing happily the pair of love birds head upstairs ‘ARRGGGGUUUUHHH’

Amy jumps out of her skin but Richard quickly calms her down ‘Don’t worry honey, Marcus probably thought he saw a monster in the closet, you go and get ready and I ‘Captain Stallion’ will be with you shortly.’

Three days later just after the Rothschild had finished lunch when three louds on the front door startles all of them ‘My God’ Maddie laughs ‘It is the Police Marcus, they have come to arrest you for being the dorkiest dork in dorkland.’

‘Very funny Maddie’ Marcus responds ‘But seeing that you almost set our school on fire last week smoking in the girl’s toilets they will probably put you in handcuffs and throw away the key.’

‘Settle down you two’ Richard demands ‘Maddie your mother and I will be having words with you later on.’

‘Everybody, this William Watkins the private investigator who has come to help us with our sock problem.’

‘I am at your service Mrs Rothschild, now if you wouldn’t mind I would like to walk around your lovely home by myself because one never knows where a clue might appear.’

‘Of course Mr Watkins ‘My husband Richard and I plus our two lovely children Maddie and Marcus will wait for you out in the kitchen.’

With a small nod Watkins wanders away looking for clues beginning upstairs.

In the kitchen Richard and Amy giggle ‘Watkins is obviously ripping off Hercule Poirot from the Agatha Christie novels with his white suit, Panama hat, dyed black hair and fake moustache.’

‘It could have been worse Amy’ he could have come as Mis Marple.’

‘I am afraid that Miss Marple was unavailable today’ Watkins deadpans as he enters the kitchen.

Richard and Amy both turn a deep shade of red ‘Sorry Mr Watkins we didn’t mean anything by with our comments.

‘It is quite alright I assure you’ Watkins mutters from the kitchen window.

‘Would you like a cup of coffee William’ Amy offers.’

‘No thank you Mrs Rothschild but I must be off, your case has been solved.’

‘WHAT, but you have only been here five minutes.’

‘Mr Rothschild I only follow the clues and they have led me to believe that your missing socks are located in the dog kennel out yonder’ Watkins proclaims whilst pointing at the offending structure.

‘Scruffy? Marcus queries ‘But why would little scruff take our socks?

‘Well it is elementary dear boy’ and yes I know that that is a quote attributed to my detective friend Sherlock Holmes but I am sure that he wouldn’t mind me borrowing it for this case.’

‘Now would you all please follow me out to the kennel and I shall demonstrate my findings.’

Marcus has no idea what the weird little man is talking about but he does as demanded.

Hearing footsteps approaching Scruffy a small Scottish Terrier with a big attitude comes out to see who is intruding in his space.

‘Watkins bends down to let the dog sniff the back of his hand ‘I wouldn’t do that if I were you’ Maddie pipes in ‘Scruffy is likely to jump up and rip your face off.

But Scruffy has taken a shine to Watkins and licks his hand in glee ‘Now Scruffy, I know that you have a huge collection of socks inside your abode but your kind owners miss those socks very much and would like them returned post haste.’

With a bark and a guilty look on his face the little dog runs into his kennel and quickly returns with a mouth full of socks and after a few minutes of running back and forth a total of fifty two misplaced socks lay on the grass.

‘How did you work everything out so quickly’ Richard asks ‘I knew as soon as I saw the little doggy door leading out into your backyard that the culprit was none other Scruffy.’

‘But why in the hell would scruffy take the socks in the first place?

‘Mrs Rothschild socks soak up a lot of sweat and when you and husband are out and your delightful children are at school scruffy quickly gets bored and lonely, he steals the socks because they smell of his family so when he feels a little down he goes into his kennel and the odour calms him down because in his mind he thinks that his family is nearby.’

‘The case of the missing socks has been solved but may I suggest that you give scruffy more attention and also buy another small dog to give scruffy some company.’

‘My bill will be in the mail, please pay promptly or I shall sick scruffy onto you.’

THE END.

I trust that you liked this story and if you did please leave a like or a comment and if you have the means please donate some money to help me on my quest to be a better author. Thank You.

‘Are You Afraid Of The Dark?’

11 Friday Oct 2024

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This story is about a small girl who was abducted back in 2004 and for some reason the perpetrator kept her alive in a dank place that tortured the soul of the innocent girl.

The darkness and loneliness are slowly but surely eating away at her sanity but 9 year old Jessica Campbell from North Haven Miami is determined to stay alive to make sure that the creep who took her away from her family will pay a heavy price for his crime.

It is now 2007 and Jessica Campbell is still hanging on by a thread…….

‘Hello is anybody out there?’

Jessica whimpers when she gets no reply, the cold and the damp are taking a toll plus the scant amount of food that her captor supplies her with every day or so is barely enough but the wish to escape to see her parents again is the driving force that keeps her going from day to day.

The darkness is so dense Jessica’s body clock has no idea if it is night or day plus the stench of her own waste is almost too much to bare but on the bright side Jessica’s hearing has improved immensely so the sound of water dripping nearby is music to her ears plus her amplified hearing makes it easy for her to catch cockroaches when they scurry within reach.

The crunchy critters are hard to swallow but the meat they provide her with must needed sustenance if she is to survive her ordeal.

Jessica knows that it must be years since she was put down in this hellhole with no one to talk to except the voices of her mom and dad telling her to knuckle down and come back home to them ‘I will and the asshole who took me pay with his life.’

‘God knows what I must look like’ the now twelve year old muses ‘I haven’t washed so I must stink like a mule, my hair is so long and full of tangles just like Cousin Itt.’

‘Okay thanks for phoning me Missus Campbell, I understand that it has been a distressing last three years for you and your family and I assure that I will do everything in my power to help locate your missing daughter.’

After ending the phone call Wendy Gatton an investigative crime reporter for the Miami Tribune Goggles the name Jessica Campbell to get more information on her disappearance.

32 year old Wendy is a tall white woman with short black hair who is known for her innate ability to write factual stories that have boosted daily sales of the newspaper but more importantly for Wendy her research has helped the local authorities solve heinous crimes.

Wendy spends every spare hour working the case and 48 hours later she believes she has uncovered enough evidence to run a full front page story on the case, now all she has to do is convince the papers crime editor to print her story.

She discovered that seven other young girls besides Jessica Campbell went missing in northern Florida and just over the border in Georgia between 2002-2004.

All of the girls have long brown hair and they were also taken outside of their schools at around 3.20 in the afternoon.

Is it possible that the authorities in both states haven’t been in communication with each other concerning the missing girls?

At 9am the next morning Brian Freebody the crime editor for the Miami Tribune strolls past Wendy’s desk on his way to his office wearing a custom made grey cotton suit and cowboy boots and today he is sporting a $500 hair cut. ‘Jesus what a show pony’ Wendy muses ‘One day he will trip over his ego and crash back down to earth with a thud.’

Wendy gives her boss fifteen minutes to settle in before knocking on his office door ‘Good morning sir, I have been working on a story for a few days and I believe that the public deserve to see it.’

Sitting behind his desk Freebody looks up at Wendy ‘That is good Wendy, just leave it here and I will peruse it later.’

‘Alright Brian but my story concerns a mother who’s daughter has been missing for three years, plus seven other young girls are also missing so time is of the essence.’

‘I am sure that your story will be of the highest quality like all of your other stories but I haven’t got time to read it right this minute because I have a meeting upstairs with the editor-in-chief Carly Simonson so go back work now and I will call you back in here later today.’

For the next four hours Wendy works on another story silently fuming that her asshole editor still hasn’t got back to her but then just on lunchtime Freebody calls her back into his office ‘Sorry to keep you waiting Wendy, take a seat, well I read your story and I have to say that it doesn’t reach your normal standard of journalism.’

‘What are you talking about Brian? It is a hard hitting story that lets the public know that maybe there is a serial killer in our midst plus the parents of all the missing girls need to know that they haven’t been forgotten and what about the newspaper sales my stories generate?’

‘I appreciate that Wendy but your story lacks substance, go and work on it and I might print your piece next week’.

‘Next week? It will be too late by then, Jessica Campbell and some of the other girls might still be alive.’

‘Get a grip Wendy, three years have passed since the girls went missing so the chances of any of the girls are still alive is less than zero.’

‘And Missus Gratton you seem to have forgotten that I am in charge here not you, now leave my office before you are put on suspension.’

Wendy is close to tears as she stands ‘I can see that you are upset Wendy so take the rest of the day off and think about your position here at the newspaper.’

After storming out Wendy quickly unlocks her car and drives out of the underground carpark in a huff but as soon as she hits the freeway Wendy realizes that she had left her story on Freebody’s desk but there is no way in hell that she will go back and grab it because Wendy knows that she might strangle the obnoxious prick of an editor.

Once home Wendy pours herself a glass of wine before booting up her laptop.

She can’t get forget Jessica Campbell’s mother’s pleading phone call yesterday, the distress in her voice was palpable and it left Wendy numb.

Sitting in front of her computer Wendy racks her brain for some inspiration but nothing comes to mind so she pulls up a map of Florida and Georgia and leans in close to really study the map where the kidnappings took place and immediately she notices numerous abandoned mines scattered around both states.

Feeling a little better Wendy phones Captain Michael Brady her police contact at Dade County.

”Well if it isn’t Wendy Gratton herself, have you won a Pulitzer Prize yet?

Wendy smiles ‘Not yet Mike, would it be possible to meet somewhere tonight? I am working on a missing person’s case and I really need your help.

After telling Brady all about how her editor refused to publish her story about Jessica Campbell and the other missing girls and her theory about the abandoned mines the pair agree to meet at Dolphins beach cafe at eight o’clock.

After locking her apartment Wendy walks over to a nearby news stand to buy a copy of the Tribune’s late edition but when she gets closer the headline ‘SERIAL KILLER?’ screams out at her.

‘Brian Freebody, this time you have gone too far.’

Tucking the paper in her bag Wendy makes her way towards the shoreline with her anger growing stronger every second.

Reaching Dolphin Beach Wendy strolls into the cafe and takes a seat at a table looking out at the tumbling waves but she doesn’t take in the pleasant vista.

When the waiter brings her espresso Wendy thanks him before laying the Tribune on the table than she reads the front page feature story and aside from a few minor changes the story is exactly as she wrote it ‘Just you wait until I get into the office tomorrow Freebody because the doo doo is going to hit the fan.’

A few minutes later Captain Mike Brady arrives, Wendy stands and gives her friend a hug ‘I haven’t ordered yet Mike, get what you want because I will be putting the bill on my work expenses card.’

They both order a cheeseburger with fries plus a pot of coffee and as they wait Wendy tells Mike about the missing girls ‘Jessica Campbell’s mother rang me the other day worried that her daughter’s case might have been forgotten so I told her that I would look into it.’

I am familiar with the case Wendy and I assure you that one of my officers is working on it but there aren’t that many leads to go on.’

Wendy grabs her cell phone from her bag and shows Mike the picture of the abandoned mines bordering both Florida and Georgia ‘I am aware of these mines Wendy but I haven’t got the resources to search them all plus and I don’t mean to sound callous but it has been three years so it would most likely be a recovery effort.’

‘I realize that Mike but couldn’t a K9 unit search the mines closest to where Jessica went missing because there are only four or five of them I think.’

Down in the mine shaft Jessica’s physical health has improved slightly because she has been able to catch plenty of worms, crickets and cockroaches to keep hunger at bay plus with all the moisture in the shaft Jessica has been able to quench her thirst but the darkness and the cold has sapped her mental strength significantly to almost breaking point.

The next morning arrives early waiting for Freebody to make an entrance and when he does Jessica is hot on his tail entering his office before he can close the door ‘Good morning Brian, do you remember yesterday when you told to ‘Think about my position here at the paper? Well i have taken your advice and I have come to the conclusion that I can no longer here as long as you are the editor, so I resign effective immediately.’

‘I will need a resignation letter plus it is customary for an employee to give two weeks notice.’

‘That is correct but it is also customary for a boss to give guidance and nurture an employee not stab them in the back and claim their work as your own.’

‘Oh, did I mention that I know Carly Simonson the editor-in-chief upstairs and your boss very well, we grew up together so maybe you should start cleaning out your desk.’

The look on Freebody’s face is priceless ‘I will leave my resignation letter on my desk Brian, bye for now.’

Wendy doesn’t bother writing the letter but she does send a quick email upstairs.

At home Wendy is busy packing her groceries away when her landline rings ‘Hello is this Wendy Gratton?

‘Yes, who am I speaking to?’

My name is Peter Robotham the crime editor at the Miami Herald, I hear that you might be looking for a new job?’

‘News sure does trave fast in this town but yes I do need a job.’

‘Carly Simonson rang me a few minutes ago and I vacancy for a crime reporter if you are interested.’

‘I sure am Peter, could I come to your office first thing in the morning?’

‘Yes that is fine Wendy, see you tomorrow, bye.’

Wendy can’t believe her luck but before she can pour a glass of wine to celebrate her phone rings again.

‘Hello Wendy just letting you know that I have a team and a K9 unit searching some of the old abandoned mines within a 20 mile radius from where Jessica Campbell missing back in 2004 plus I also informed the authorities up in Georgia of the situation and they promised me that they will look into it.’

‘But the best news Wendy is that the mine on Springmount Road has signs of recent activity and as we speak the K9 unit is moving in for a closer look.’

‘That is great news Mike I am on my way to the Campbell residence and I will stay there until I hear back from you.’

Trooper Donavan a young white man who has been part of the K9 team for six years holds onto his bloodhound’s lead as closes in on the mine ‘Slow down Marcie we need to wait for other troopers to arrive.’ but Marcie isn’t interested in waiting, she pulls Donavan forward for twenty feet before dropping to the ground beside some rusty sheets of corrugated iron.

‘Good girl Marcie, you have earned a reward now lets go play with your favorite toy shall we.’

A forensics team move in and quickly take photo’s of the iron and the surrounds especially the tire tracks and flattened grass area that the police units carefully avoided.

After forensics give permission the iron sheets are cleared away revealing a round wide shaft opening into the unknown.

‘Good job team’ Captain Mike Brady says taking charge of the situation ‘Lets shine some light down into the shaft to see if we can see what the dog reacted to.’

‘Fifty feet below Jessica Campbell is laying on the damp cold ground just waiting to die when she hears voices from above, opening an eye the teenager notices that for the first time since her capture she can see the sky above but when a bright light hits her face Jessica’s eyes burn so she cowers away into the darkness.

‘I don’t believe what I am seeing’ a rookie holding the light utters ‘There is somebody down there but she just moved away from the light but I swear I saw an old woman with long white hair.’

One of the troopers suggests that they bring in a helicopter ‘Might be dangerous with all of the trees around plus the power lines’ Brady responds ‘But I will put in a request, in the meantime call down the shaft and tell the person that we are here to help and she will be brought back to the surface as soon as we can reach her.’

After thinking about the situation Brady calls for a S.W.A.T team ‘Okay everyone a S.W.A.T team is on the way so prepare to assist, also the press will probably be here soon so keep them away and guys keep an eye out for any suspicious activity because the perpetrator could be watching us right this minute.’

Brady was 100% correct because just as he thought because the perp mingled with the journalists but unfortunately for Brady as soon as the S.W.A.T team arrived the perp slinked away unnoticed.

20 minutes later a S.W.A.T member is lowered into the shaft and he soon encounters a wild haired crazy eyed female making strange grunting animals noises holding a hand over her face to shield her eyes from the glare of the spotlight. ‘Holy shit, I might have a situation here.’ the S.W.A.T officer whispers to himself so to calm the female down he moves the light away from her face ‘Jessica? Is your name Jessica Campbell? Your momma is mighty worried about you so if you can come to me and I will take you home.’

After another series of animal sound’s the person slowly slides along the damp ground until she reaches her rescuer ‘Hold on Jessica, once I have tied to securely to myself we will go up into the sunshine.’

And with a quick tug on a rope the pair are pulled up towards the surface and when they appear all of the police break out in applause but they quickly step back at the stench aminating from the girl.

Jessica starts screaming when the sunshine hits her face ‘Jesus look at her eyes they are on fire’ one of the troopers gasps.

‘Cover her face for God sake’ Brady yells at the trooper ‘If you had been stuck down a mine shaft for over three years you would be screaming to, now put her in your cruiser and transport the child to General hospital ASAP.’

As soon as he knows that Jessica is in safe hands Brady calls her parents ‘Hello this is Captain Brady from Dade County can I speak to Lorna Campbell.’

‘Oh lord, please tell me that Jessica is alive and well.’

‘Yes she is Lorna but she is in bad shape as you can understand, she is unable to talk at the moment and mentally Jessica is very frail.’

‘She is currently being transported to General hospital so make your way there but when you see your daughter be prepared for a shock because you will not recognize her at first.’

‘My husband and I can’t thank you enough for not giving up searching for Jessica and how she survived is a miracle.’

‘Take care Lorna, I am mighty happy that you finally have good news but the person you should thank is Wendy Gratton because she is the one who pushed me in the right direction.’

Wendy and the Campbells hug in the middle of living room still not quite believing that Jessica has overcome her ordeal.

A week later Wendy visits the hospital and is led to an isolation room by a friendly nurse ‘Please when you enter make no loud noises plus the patient is unable to speak, she just makes weird grunting sounds so it would be best to remain silent.’

When the nurse opens the door Wendy is shocked at the sight of Jessica’s long silver hair and scaly white skin plus she has two large cotton pads covering both of her eyes and another strange thing is that two large flashlights sit on the table next to her bed.

Sensing that someone is watching her Jessica looks over towards Wendy who remains silent as her tears run down her cheeks.

Suddenly Jessica reaches up and rips the bandages from her eyes but this time Wendy can’t remain silent because Jessica’s eyes are now bright pink like an albino’s.

At the sound of Wendy’s scream the nurse comes rushing in ‘Oh sorry I should have warned you but I wasn’t expecting her to remove the bandages.’

Wendy looks at Jessica again and this time the girl smiles at her ‘I am glad that you are safe Jessica, now just rest and let the nurses look after you.’

Once they are outside the room asks the nurse about Jessica’s eyes ‘Will they return to normal and what’s the go with the flashlight’s?’

‘We had a power outage a few nights back and the patient went berserk at the sudden darkness so the doctor believes that the patient has Nyctophobia which is a condition where someone is afraid of the dark and concerning the patients eyes all I can say is that she will receive the best treatments available now I need to return to the patient.’

Wendy shudders as she walks away because Jessica’s situation reminds her of the poor girl in that old horror movie ‘The Exorcist.’

THE END.

Part Two coming soon.

I hope that you liked reading my story and if you did please leave a comment.

Plus if you have the means please make a donation so that I can become a fulltime writer Thank You.

Stories After Midnight

21 Friday Sep 2018

Posted by in poems, stories

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I am running out of money at a rate of knots so I really need to get off my arse and get myself a job.

The bills are piling up and two are way overdue.

But first things first I am also running out of reading material plus I need to return a few books because the last thing I need is for the library police to get on my case.

So I grab my wallet and keys and head out the door.

 

I park my old rust bucket outside my local library and walk into my favourite place on earth.

I could happily wander the aisles for hours taking in the smell of thousands and thousands of books.

But today I am in a hurry so I throw my returns down the chute and walk over to the horror section.

The master of the genre Stephen King has a new novel out and I have been dying to get my hands on a copy for weeks.

So I am pleased to see ‘The Outsider’ sitting on the shelf waiting for me.

I grab it fast before someone beats me to it and make my way to the counter.

But I stop at the community noticeboard first because just maybe my new job is waiting for me as well.

 

But the board is full of notes about missing cats and dogs and different items for sale but then I notice a business card down in the left hand corner.

‘Are you handy on the tools and love to read? Because I have the perfect job for you.

Call Apex Industries today to start an exciting new chapter in your life’

Well of course I love to read but I am about as handy as tits on a bull so I put the card back and head home.

Tomorrow I will go to Centrelink and get myself a job.

 

Once at home I make myself a ham and cheese sandwich and settle down to read the kings latest classic.

Stephen King is known for his huge tomes and ‘The Outsider is no different.

It is as thick as a house brick and just as heavy.

I am soon lost in the story but when I reach page 219 I am surprised to see a business card marking the page.

And I nearly piss my pants when I see that it is the same business card I read at the library.

‘Well this is a bit creepy’ But then I laugh to myself ,obviously there must be more then one card in circulation it is just a coincidence that’s all.

But I still have a funny feeling deep down in my gut.

 

I put the business card on the coffee table and continue my reading until once again my concentration is broken ,this time by my mobile starts to chime.

The screen says PRIVATE NUMBER and I don’t usually answer private callers but maybe it is lotto ringing to tell me that I have won $ 10 million so I answer.

‘Hello am I speaking to Mr Warren Bigelow? ‘Um yes that that’s me’

‘Hi Warren my name is Daphne Pincombe and I am the owner of Apex Industries’

‘I was expecting a call from you today but you must have forgotten ,are you still interested in the position?’

 

I am dumbstruck and lost for words ‘Sorry but I didn’t apply for the position because I am not very handy even though I am a very good reader’

‘That doesn’t matter Warren the tools are very rarely used but I am positive that you are the perfect person to fill the position so can you start tonight say just before midnight?’

‘Um don’t I need to be interviewed first and maybe pass a medical?’

‘Oh no Warren that wont be necessary I know that you are just what I am looking for ,so can I expect you tonight?

And even though my stomach is doing backflips and I mind is in turmoil I find myself answering ‘Of course Mrs Pincombe I will be there’

 

‘What in the fuck just happened? Do I really have a new job?

But than my brain starts to do its job. How did the lady from Apex know my phone number? And how did she know that I had even read the business card?

But I push those thoughts to a small compartment in the back of my mind because I really do need to start earning some money.

So I pick up the business card again and I am pleased to see that Apex Industries are located only a few kilometres away at 219 Riverside Drive Reversby .

 

I am to charged up to sleep so I read for a few hours more have a shower and put on my best clothes then I jump into my car and drive off to start a new career.

And when I arrive at Apex Industries ten minutes later a little old lady is there to greet me Hello Warren I am Daphne and I am pleased to welcome you to Apex Industries’

‘It a very small company in fact you will be my only employee’

We shake hands and I follow my new boss into her office.

 

Mrs Pincombe is about seventy years old with grey hair very steady on her feet and she looks a lot like my own grandmother so I begin to relax.

”I am sorry for the late start Warren but I have found that a lot of my clients respond better to the readings when they are either asleep or when their minds are less active’

‘I have hired you Warren because you have a special talent that you are totally unaware of plus alas I am not getting any younger and I am starting to lose my ability to connect with the clients like I used to so I new a new pupil’

‘So Warren I need you to travel with me every night and heal our clients by the power of the voice and of the touch so that we may heal some damaged minds and souls’

But I warn you Warren that not all minds and souls can be saved some because they are beyond our reach or their minds are pure evil and then Warren I will ask you to end a life before they can do anymore harm to innocent people’

‘So Warren do you want to become my apprentice with the view of one day carrying on my work into the future once my time has come?

 

My head is spinning ,Mrs Pincombe just told me that I am to end a life if the need arises and what is this special talent that I supposedly possess?

So once again I find myself accepting her offer of employment and after signing a few documents I am ready to help Mrs Pincombe in any way that I can.

She smiles with gratitude ‘Thank you Warren you will never regret working for Apex Industries and that is a promise’

She hands me the keys to a shiny white transit van and we drive off into the night.

 

‘Okay Warren head towards Reversby hospital because we have an urgent case to attend to.

A patient there has been in a coma since falling off a horse ten years ago when she was ten years old but the doctors have informed her family that her condition is deteriorating fast so this will be your only chance to save her life’

‘I am sorry to throw you into the deep end Warren but there is no choice in the matter because if we cant save Rachel the world will be a lot worse off because Rachel was destined to become a leading scientist in finding a cure for cancer’

 

We arrive at the hospital and Mrs Pincombe opens the rear doors and I am astonished to find it for of books and magazine plus a small toolbox.

Mrs Pincombe noticing my looks laughs ‘Don’t worry Warren for this job no tools will be required’

It is now almost 1 am and the hospital is closed down for the night and as we approach the front door I notice two guards ‘Mrs Pincombe there is no way that they will let us in at this time at night’

‘Don’t worry Warren it has all been taken care of ‘ So when we reach the doors they slide open and we walk right past the guards without being noticed ‘What the fuck are we invisible? ‘Come on Warren Rachel is fading fast we have to hurry’

 

In room 110 Rachel Smith looks to be sleeping peacefully but Mrs Pincombe assures me that Rachel want see another day if we don’t act soon so she hands me a kids book titled ‘Black Beauty’ and tells me to start reading the book into Rachels ear.

Rachel used to love horses with a passion so hopefully you can awaken her mind and give back to her family’

I have been reading to Rachel for over six months now but with no effect and the doctors have done all they can for her so Warren now it is up to you’

 

I take a seat next to Rachel and start to read ‘Black Beauty’ while Mrs Pincombe paces around the room nervously.

But I cant see the sense in what I am doing ,how can reading a book save a life? But I read that book with everything that I have for over an hour with little success .

But then the room starts to start on different shapes and colours and I find myself in a field with a horse chewing on some grass.

‘That is Rachels horse Roscoe he has been put out to pasture since Rachels accident and he to needs to see her again so use your special talent Warren and reunite Rachel with her family and her horse’

 

What changing the shape and scenery of the room isn’t a special talent?

‘I don’t know what to do Mrs Pincombe what is my special talent?

‘I cant tell you Warren because I don’t know ,you will have to figure it out for yourself but be quick Warren there isn’t much time left’

 

Without thinking I stand in the middle of the room and hold both of my arms out straight.

I aim my fingers at Rachel’s head and blue sparks fly from the tips and strike Rachel over and over and her arms and legs flail as her head is impacted.

All of my strength has been spent so I sit next to Rachel and squeeze her hand and I feel her respond to my touch as her hand squeezes mine.

Then Rachel opens her eyes ‘Can I have a drink of water please? “Sure Rachel here you go’

As I put a cup to Rachels lips Mrs Pincombe  presses the buzzer to summon the nurses ‘We need to leave now Warren our job here is done’

 

Back in the van I am floating with euphoria ‘Well done Warren you passed your first assignment with flying colours ,no pun intended’

I cant answer because I am still recovering from the ordeal but I manage a smile and Mrs Pincombe drives the van back to Apex Industries.

 

Over the following six months or so Mrs Pincombe and I travel in the van visiting people who need saving.

Sometimes I needed to open the toolbox and use a screwdriver or a hammer to enter a home unobserved but usually we entered by stealth alone.

Some clients responded to my reading their favourite book while others needed the whole treatment.

After another successful evening I asked Mrs Pincombe how she decided who to save and who couldn’t be saved

‘It isn’t up to me Warren I am just an ordinary citizen’ I try to say that she is anything but an ordinary citizen but she waves me off.

The decisions come from a higher power that visits me in my dreams and nightmares and when I wake all the information I need is etched deep in my brain.

 

Just before Christmas I am having a snooze in the afternoon when my phone rings ‘Warren I need you here at the office straightaway I had a visit in a nightmare last night and the news isn’t good so get here as soon as you can and I will fill you in’

I arrive at Apex Industries to find Mrs Pincombe in distress she is looking old and haggard ‘I am sorry for my appearance Warren but all of the visits to my mind over the years has finally taken its toll’

‘And the visit last night has left me with nothing left to give so on this job Warren you will be flying solo’

‘There is a predator on the loose and he is about enter our lives now hold my hand and I will tell you all about this evil piece of shit’

 

I listen intently as Mrs Pincombe whispers and tells me all about a serial rapist named Cedric Otis.

And as I listen my blood begins to boil ‘Mrs Pincombe maybe we should call the police and let them handle it’

‘ Warren you didn’t let me finish it is too late to involve the police because Cedric Otis has passed over to the other side but his evil spirit lives on’

Mrs Pincombe cant talk no more and collapses into a chair.

I have no time to lose so I call 000 and run out to the work van.

And this time I will need the toolbox.

 

Will I catch Cedric Otis evil spirit in time or will he create havoc all over Sydney town?

To find out the answer you will have to come back and read part two

 

THE END

Thanks for taking the time to read one of my stories and could you please think about making a donation so that i can fulfill my dream of becoming a fulltime writer. Thanks again Steven.