"16 year old Raya Heartly and 45 year old James Zeraph are still missing. If anyone has any information please call the number at the bottom of the screen. Moving on to other news..."
The loud sound of the tv playing caught my attention. I slid out from underneath the car and sat up looking towards the break room. My coworkers were grouped together, eyes glued to the television in front of them.
It wasn't really shocking anymore, hearing that some more people were up and disappearing.
It's been going on since I was young. No one knows why this is happening. Nor do any seem to care since it's been going on for so long. After a while people stopped fearing getting taken and began going about their daily lives.
"This is the 5th disappearance this week. I hope the police find these people soon or else I'll have to leave town." one of my coworkers said.
"I heard there are people coming up missing in other big cities. Even smaller towns in the rural areas." Estel said.
I heard the others mumbling loudly as they got up and left the break room before our boss noticed they weren't working.
"What do you think Cleora?"
Roxan walked over to me, Estel right on her heels.
"I'm not exactly sure what I'm supposed to think. It's sad that even kids are being taken. I just hope the police will stop whoever is taking them. Or for the government to step in" I said indifferently.
"I doubt our government will do anything. You know they are just some selfish old men wanting the system to stay in their favor."
Estel wiped down any spots left on the car as I finished fixing the underside of the steam car we had been working on. I started thinking about doing my own investigations like I used to as a kid. A sudden suppressed memory flashed in my head causing me to roll from under the car a little too fast.
I hit the work table. Smacking my right knee against the metal leg.
"Son of a.."
"Cleora what's gotten into you? Are you alright?" Estel said.
"It's nothing. I'm fine."
Estel kneeled next to me and placed her hand on my leg causing me to wince in pain. She helped me up but I moved away from her so as to not lean onto her. I started moving my leg until the pain subsided.
"Like I was saying, I'm fine. Now the car is all fixed right?" I asked.
"Yeah I just finished filling it up with gas. She's good to go." Roxan chimed in.
I nodded and grabbed the keys off the table. Getting into the car I started it up as Roxan opened the garage door. I drove out and parked it a few feet away from the building. The gentleman who owned the car thanked us and gave us a nice sized tip before getting into his car and driving off.
I pocketed it and walked back inside.
Looking at my watch and it was finally time to go home. I went and put up the clean tools that weren't used. While Estel and Roxan cleaned up the other areas of our station. Once we finished we headed to our changing room since that was the last customer we had to help. Grabbing our stuff we walked to the exit.
"Great work today lady's. And have a great weekend everyone. " Talia said.
"You too boss, enjoy that small vacation you planned." Estel said.
Talia nodded. She walked past us waving goodbye then made her way to her .
"Want to join us for a night of dancing and drinking?"
Estel put her arm around my shoulder while we walked to their cars. Ever since I started working here she would always invite me to hang out with her and Roxan. I would always turn her down. I moved out of her grasp and shook my head.
"One day I'll get you to join us."
"You need to let someone in Cleora, always being by yourself or with your inventions that you work on isn't healthy."
Roxan chimed in. I gave her a look before waving them off. Estel sighed in defeat. Reluctantly, the both of them got into their respective cars and I made my way home.
Walking along the sidewalk, I avoided bumping into anyone as best as I could. It was about 5:45 in the afternoon. The wind was starting to pick up and the bright blue sky was starting to be overrun by dark clouds. There were a lot of people rushing to get home before the unexpected storm started. I started to pick up my pace as well, not wanting to get wet myself.
The aroma of some freshly made pasta filled the air around me. Making my stomach growl.
As I walked past the restaurant where the wonderful smell was coming from, a family was walking towards it’s entrance. Seeing such a happy looking felt my chest tighten and my eyes threatening to shed some tears. Wiping my eyes I picked up my pace so I could get home and hide away from the world for the next 2 days.
