Chapter 6: what the people saw

The door shut with a clang behind him as if it automatically locked him into this small house. The food that his mother or father was preparing smelled fresh, yet inviting, but something didn't feel quite right there since it was much too quiet. He had come straight from school because he finally got tired of going anywhere else that day,. His parents weren't in the kitchen or the living room, as was usually the case by this hour. He shouted out for them, but his voice rang out into empty silence with no response.

Confused and growing uneasy, Umbra walked further into the house; his footsteps resounded hollow within the emptiness. As he approached the hallway, the doorbell rang-sharp and insistent.

Opening the door, Umbra was met by two police officers, their faces grim and serious. His heart sank into his chest as one of them spoke.