I was sitting in the dark, in front of my computer, just like I had been for the past six hours after getting back home from driving around. After going through another myriad of failed web searches, I couldn’t help but release a loud sigh and rub my hand on my face in frustration, wiping the sweat off my brow. After blankly staring at the wall behind the monitors, I leaned forward to try again.
Harrison Arkansas missing persons reports 2028
I tended to look this one up a couple times per day, hoping to see a new news article with some new information. After scrolling through sixteen pages of results and not seeing a previously unopened link, I alt f4’d my web browser and leaned back again in discontent.
Eight months ago, I went on a vacation to visit my parents, aunts, and uncles in the aforementioned city, Harrison. It’s a quaint place, not too big, that they all seemed to gravitate towards in their retirement and I hadn’t seen any of them in years. As it is with family vacations, I didn’t go alone. I went with my then-16 year old daughter, Taylor, all the way to Arkansas from our home just outside of Maricopa, Arizona. It was an exciting time with new experiences, given that I hadn’t left the state since before she was born, and she’s only left once with her mother to the neighboring state of California, to visit some family on that side of her family.
We took numerous detours on our way, breaking off the main roads to visit notable sights, like The Carlsbad Caverns National Park, beautiful botanical gardens in Amarillo, and even stopping to see some animals at the Oklahoma city zoo. It was… fun. Possibly the most fun I’ve ever had in my life with Taylor. Teenagers can be difficult at times, and even though she was no exception, everything felt so simple and enjoyable during that time. Even more so after we arrived and spent those first few days with family, catching up with everybody. Taylor was ecstatic to see her grandparents again, and meeting some great aunts she felt like she’s known her entire life, but not actually having seen them since she was two years old.
There was nothing really big to do as a group there besides spend time together, and that was fine. My father brought Taylor and I to a small local golf course, and we played around. He showed more emotion than I felt like he ever did before when Taylor stepped up on that first tee and hit a beautiful baby draw down the fairway about 250, showcasing a swing with the smoothest tempo you could imagine. We’d come home afterwards, and I’d commandeer the kitchen. Using recipes that originated with my mother and aunt, I’d whip up dinner for everybody that showcased both of their culinary skills ingrained deep into my mind. We’d do the same thing again the next day, and the day after, my mother and aunt took Taylor to the next city over for some shopping. Girl bonding, my mother called it.
It happened on the way back. It… apparently happened, anyway. They stopped by a gas station just inside Harrisons city limits, and stepped out to fill up the tank and grab a soda before they came home. According to my mother, the door to the back seat that Taylor was in didn’t even open. They were happily chatting, Taylor agreeing that she’d love a cola and that she wanted to snag one for me too, when they pulled up. My mother and aunt stepped out of the car, and Taylor was just…gone. No scream. No door slam, or even the noise from it opening was heard. Nothing was caught on the security cameras. Nobody ran up and pulled her out silently. She just disappeared. As if it was magic.
I wasn’t called immediately. My father was, and he didn’t tell me immediately either. I was sitting with my aunt's partner, chatting about… seasonings for pork? Hell, I can’t remember. It wasn’t important. I wasn’t told until after the police arrived at the scene. The officer of all people was the one to notify me.
I mean… what could I even have done? Pragmatically, nothing. After the fact, when I was allowed to review what little camera footage was available, I could see Taylor in the back seat of my mothers SUV. A turn into the station and under the awning over the pumps, and she wasn’t there anymore. Not visible through the windows the camera had in view, at least. My mother was the first to panic, pulling open the doors and yelling Taylors name. My aunt, in her older age, did her best to hurry around the vehicle, looking for Taylor, later on telling me that there was nobody else even at the station besides the employees inside.There was absolutely no trace of Taylor, not her phone or her clothes. There weren’t even any stray hairs in the back seat. Just like that, she was gone.
I was livid at the time. I regretfully remember yelling at my mother, questioning what was wrong with her, how on earth she could take her eyes off of her youngest granddaughter and the only light in my life. After some shouts, and a push from my father, I simmered down enough to get what little information they had.
It wasn’t their fault. It wasn’t anybody’s fault. Except maybe…what, God? There was literally no explanation for what happened, and the police ended up chalking it up to her running away. “The camera footage must have missed her jumping out of the car,” they said, the last time I was in to speak with an officer. “There’s nobody we can look into regarding her disappearance. Based off the evidence, what little there is, there’s nothing more we can do. I’m sorry.”
I stayed at my parents place for a few days, going in and out multiple times, scouring the area, driving circles around that gas station and trying to cover as much of the town as I could. I stopped at a local print shop and printed out a ton of missing persons flyers, and left them at every business and home that I could, just hoping I could get some sort of lead as to where she went.
Maybe she did run away. But why here, of all places? I couldn’t even begin to bring myself to understand that she might run away. She was always a sweet, loving girl. She was great with her mom and her new husband, and she was great with me. Her grades were nearly perfect, she had a ton of friends, and enough interest in her hobbies to satisfy anyone, between her kinship with golf and video games.
Questions always beget further questions, none of which I had answers for. Nobody had answers for them, and there was no conclusion I could come to besides the extremely unsatisfactory one of “she literally disappeared.”
In the months since, I’ve continued to work on trying to find her, repeating the same steps. I informed my employer I was going to quit, but my supervisor convinced me to stay on remote part time after learning exactly what happened and what I was going to do, making it clear that I’d need money. After convincing me to pragmatically think about needing to be able to afford to actually continue my search, I acquiesced and thanked him for his generosity. I found a small, cheap place here in Harrison, ran by a man here that I can call nothing else but a slum lord, but it’s all I need. I’m probably a five minute drive from my parents place, and ten from my aunts, but I haven’t seen them all that frequently lately.
I had contacted a close friend, Rick, that lived near my home back in Maricopa, and wired him some money so he could ship me everything I needed. My computer, mainly, but I also wanted Taylors computer, gaming consoles, and anything that might seem like it could hold information, hoping for a diary that could shed light on this very thing. Rick tried to comfort me to the best of his ability while we spoke off and on for a few days while he was getting everything situated and packed up for me. Bless his soul, knowing he only means well, but it didn't help. Nothing could really comfort a parent when they're worried about their child's life and well-being.
I kept Taylors mother updated on the situation at every turn, being sympathetic to what she was going through. Of course, it was my fault Taylor was missing as far as she was concerned, and I did nothing to dissuade her from feeling that way. Hell, I blamed my own mother, if only for a few moments. I can't discredit her feelings for putting blame on me. Honestly, most of the time, I was convinced she was right, that it was, in fact, my fault. I could have done more. I could have gone with them, been sitting back there with her when it happened.
“...when…what happened, though?” I mumbled to myself, with both my palms pushed deep against my eyes in a vain attempt to numb the pain from the incoming migraine.
Yeah, migraines. Nausea, runs, full-body tremors, and what feels like a massive spike being drilled into both my temples, had started to act up again. I had always been predisposed to getting them, but faded years ago after getting my blood pressure and stress under control. Not visiting a local doctor to get my medicine prescribed and no feasible way to actually curb the stress I was constantly feeling meant they were back, and with a pressure I hadn't experienced before. It made both my search and the necessary work I had to do for my job even harder than it would otherwise be, but it is what it is.
After sitting in the dark for a while longer, I decided to get up and get some coffee. It didn't take long to get that together, and I poured it in a cheap thermos and stepped outside my front door. I locked the door behind me, and embraced the cool, night air by going for an impromptu walk around the neighborhood.
I know there's benefits to taking breaks when you're focused for too long, and this was my break. I'll be back in a few to keep searching online, hoping for a hit on local social media. If the migraine fades a little, maybe I'll drive around a bit too, to see what I can see.
Walking away from the shabby, single room, ground level apartment and down the sidewalk, passing other rooms, I noted that it was extremely dark outside.
“Huh,” I murmured to myself, not realizing it was as late as it was. Most of the streetlights were perpetually off, as this side of town didn't get much maintenance done for its public works, so glancing up after I walked past the awning gave me a view of stars and constellations I haven't been accustomed to admiring in months.
I stood there, feeling light-headed from my pain, looking up in the dark at the stars. My head was still pounding, and half the time, my eyes were closed with a tension to try to push the pain away, but the other half of the time I actually looked… it was pleasant. Not comforting, it didn't make me content, and it wasn't nice, but it was pleasant. Up until the intrusive thoughts hit me, and I wondered if Taylor could see the stars now too.
I let out a sigh at the thought, and I could feel tears forming in my eyes. I blinked them away, because all crying is going to do right now is make my nose stuffy. That's not conducive to taking a break, and it's not helpful with my search. I closed my eyes, took a deep breath to compose myself, and opened them back up. Deciding to make the most of my break, I went back inside to play a game for a little. Distract my mind so it'll be easier to focus later.
After downing my coffee and sitting back down at my desk inside, I double clicked the emulator on my desktop and loaded up a ROM hack I had set myself up with a few days prior. It wasn't anything special, but I could tell it was a labor of love when I first read about the details. It’s base ROM was Pokemon Heartgold, they added every Pokemon from Bulbasaur to Pecharunt, and have every region that was playable on the Nintendo DS accessible. You even get to start wherever you want, apparently. Kanto, Sevii Islands, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh, Unova, Kalos It should be fun, if I can manage to make myself take a break long enough to actually enjoy it.
Well, I did feel like I was about to pass out. I guess I’ll make myself start it up and see how it goes.
Mumbling “let’s see…” to myself, I start up the emulator and drag the game in, and watch it play the fan-made intro. The legendary birds flying over the plains with Mewtwo discernable in the background is shown first, then it pans to different, darker plains with the legendary beasts running across it. A rainbow-winged Ho-Oh flies in the direction of the well-animated horizon, and it pans again, continuing on and on until it ends with the Tapus hovering above the ocean, throwing Solgaleo in underneath the sun and a sudden switch to night with Lunala underneath the moon.
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
I smile, muttering “that must’ve took some time…” to myself, actually getting my mind off of what’s essentially been a perpetual state of flux between determination in finding my little girl, and depression in losing her. The classic Professor Oak shows up when I hit “new game,” and he has me select some options. Nuzlocke, yes. Randomizer sounds good too, as long as.. Ah yes, a legendary toggle. Good, I don’t want legendaries or mythicals just showing up as a starter option or in a trainer battle, that’s always silly. Difficulty level choice? I’m into it, let’s hit the hardest one, and.. Okay. Here we…
“Whoa…” I stammer in awe, as I see it’s letting me pick my start location. I do remember reading that it was incorporated, but I didn’t think every single town was going to be an option! I figured it would be a region choice, but no, I can start in Pallet, Lavender, Violet, Goldenrod, Pastoria, Mauville… Every major stop in the games are a choice. I’m loving it. Thinking about it, I decide to go with one of the cities I always thought was interesting, and wished I learned more about besides the whole Team Rocket and Red Gyarados fiasco. Pryce seemed like an absolute legend, but that was really all I ever got to experience… the vibe. He seemed like, but never much clarification in the games. It always made me really like the place, never wholly knowing why. But hey, I was like, nine, when the games first came out. Maybe I just liked shiny Gyarados.
Mahogany town selected, I’m told I’m now ready to start my adventure, and I’m selecting my starter now. Well, no saving Professor Birch from hounds, or letting Silver steal a Totodile if I’m in a different city. I guess this makes sense. Let’s see what this randomizer rolls me…
A screen pops up with the classic. Three Pokeballs across the screen for me to select. I hit the first one and… cute. Skitty.
Next up, we have… Ooh, a Hawlucha? That’s kind of a cool one, I’ve never actually trained one of those in the games before. But what’s last?
I click the final ball to see something I’ve never actually had the opportunity of even catching before, mainly because I never played the Pokemon Legends games. Taylor did, but… adulting and work made it hard. I do wish I played now though, because I’m seeing a canine-like Pokemon with a red body, with some sort of fluff covering up it’s chest and eyes. A Growlithe, clearly. I think it’s called Hisuian? I’m all for the unknown, so let’s go ahead and confirm that.
Sweet. This should be fun, I’m looking forward to th…
SLAM!
I nearly fall off my cheap desk chair as I hear a loud thud coming from outside, somewhere near my front door. Breathing hard at the jumpscare, I get up to look out the peephole on the front door. Looking through, I can see the fence line and my city-distributed trash can, and nothing out of the ordinary. I don’t have a front window to look out of, but it definitely sounded like it came from there… Oh well. I turn around and…
Bang!
I actually trip over my own feet and I’m startled from the noise while turning around, and hit the ground hard. A year ago, that would have hurt a LOT more. I’ve lost a lot of weight this past year, mainly from malnutrition, and being borderline 300 pounds and on the wrong side of 35 means falls can be a mess. For better or worse, being lighter means the fall isn’t that bad, but I can feel the muscle soreness already. That… sounded like my front door though, thinking about the noise while stumbling to my feet.
I push myself off the floor slowly, leaning up against the wall near the door while I trend upwards. I peek out the peephole again and see nothing. Curious at what the ruckus is, I unlock the door and turn the handle to check outside.
Nothing is there. I peek my head out and look to the right in the direction of the street where I walked earlier, seeing nothing. I make a quiet “hm” noise as I’m about to turn around and…
“Don’t you fuckin’ move.”
I hear a gravelly male voice behind me, and the feeling of cold metal on the nape of my neck. I freeze, not having been in this situation before and, honestly, with my migraine, I can’t really process the severity of what’s happening quickly enough. Quick enough to do what I’m told, at least.
“Good,” I hear from behind my head. “Tell me your name.”
I almost twitch my head in confusion, as the first thought to go through my mind was wondering if this was a burglar. Do… burglars ask for names? Well, I have things to do, and a daughter to find, so… I made up my mind very quickly to not antagonize the guy with a gun to my neck.
“Silas,” I breathe out, far more calmly than I thought I’d sound. I wonder about asking him a follow up question for a second, perhaps if he’s looking for valuables, so he can snag ‘em and bounce as soon as possible, but he beats me to the punch with a question of his own.
“Silas what?” the strange man says gruffly, pushing the metal a little harder into my neck as I hear a notable click. Ah, hell. He cocked the gun? That’s what that meant, right?
“Green. Silas Green.”
“Good,” he sighs. “It’s nothing personal, man.”
“...What?” The mans tone seems almost…apologetic? But… why, though? What’s going on?
“Nothing personal,” he repeats. “Turn your head and body clockwise, slowly, and step inside. I’m gonna stay behind you.”
I… can’t think well enough right now. The pain from the migraine feels like it’s peaking right now. As much as I want to just shut down entirely for the night, or at the very least, get back to my game… I can’t believe I’m thinking of that right now…. I feel like I can tell this guy isn’t here to just rob me. He was looking for me specifically, and that’s all I can really gather.
I do follow his instructions to the letter, and the cold metal touch on my neck never leaves me. He mumbles to me “stop” once we’re both past the doorway, and I can hear him push the door closed, and then pushes the barrel into my nape and tells me to “go on,” after it’s closed.
“Silas Green,” the man says, now only lightly touching the nape of my neck with the barrel of what is very clearly a gun. “I am under no obligation to say so, but I feel it’s only fair to know why this is happening.”
“...what? Why what is happening? You doing this?” I stammer out quickly, confused, and honestly, frightened.
“Yes. What I’m specifically doing is I’m going to kill you. I was paid to kill you for a reason I find justifiable and for a price I accepted,” the man says coldly. “If a fuckin’ pedo can sit in prison, knowing why he’s on death row, then a person who wasn’t convicted of anything should at least know why he’s gonna die too. What you did is shit, but it isn’t as bad as that, at least.”
I feel like I can feel my heart pulse to a near stop, as I absorb his words. “You’re gonna… you find justifiable? Why? Is there… no way to like, convince you otherwise? I have things to do. I have to…” I breathe in deeply to calm myself down, knowing that I’ve gotten a few sentences out, and this guy seems like he’s gonna let me keep talking for a while at least. “I have to find my daughter.”
I hear a sigh. It seems to be a disappointing one, maybe? “The fact remains is that I find it justifiable. I don’t know what the hell you’re doing here, and what you’ve been doing. I don’t really care,” he says, almost sounding annoyed. “I dunno what the hell you did with your kid, but she ain’t here and you are. So you’re gonna join her.”
“That’s how it…that’s how it is, huh?” I question, slowly coming to terms with the fact that there’s no way out of this. But maybe… “you know there’s no evidence she’s dead. I’ve been looking for her since the day she disappeared.”
He lets out another sigh mixed with a chuckle, and breathes out “you don’t even care who sent me? You’re just trying to avoid blame for whatever the hell you did, huh?”
“I..didn’t do anything. Not directly. I admit I was negligent and am a failure, but I wasn’t even nearby when it happened,” I manage to push out, thinking of a way out of this. Taylor is NOT dead. I don’t know, nor do I care why this guy is here, but he’s acting like I killed her and that is.. I can feel tears coming to my eyes at the mere thought.
“Don’t care. You came here with her, you did somethin’. You never came home,” he lets out one point after another, stating facts to me. “So now I’m here, I’m gonna do somethin’, and then that’ll be that. Good bye, Sil-”
I turn as quickly as I hear the word bye, my mind working a little quicker in the stressful situation, and attempt to push the weapon away and tackle the man. I’m lucky, as I’m certainly not trained for this, but I manage to grab the wrist holding the weapon and push it away, outwards, while reaching for his throat with my other hand to push him backwards and perhaps incapacitate him.
I am not a martial artist. I have never done self defense. I have no idea what I'm doing, only what feels right in the moment. All I know is I can not die here. I’ve made no progress towards finding Taylor, but she’s still… I know she’s still…
“Ahh!,” the man grunts. “You son of a…”
“AHHHH!,” I make noise in response, not knowing exactly why. I don’t really try to get a look at his face, but I can see a facemask, sunglasses, a hat, and a hoodie, nothing distinguishing about him. Before I can even think of what i’m saying, I should “just go! I need to find her! You can’t do this yet!”
I do manage to get fingers around his throat and push him back towards the door in my uncontrolled ramage. Though I’ve lost weight, I was plenty large beforehand, and I’m bigger than this guy. I might only have 30 pounds and a few inches on him, but size is size, and it’s not nothing, at least. I also managed to squeeze my left hand around his right wrist, the one holding the gun, and I’m keeping it pointed away from us. I’ve heard him fire it a few times in our three-second tussle, and it’s quiet, reminiscent of silencers from James Bond films. He’s still fighting me though, and I start to squeeze. I absently notice that he’s not fighting the hand I’m trying to strangle him with, and see that his other hand is at his side, and…
Oh. He had two.
I collapse straight down, feeling a pain unlike any other on the right side of my stomach. It’s burning hot, ice cold, numb, and on fire all at the same time. As I hit my knees on the floor and fall to the side, I manage to catch myself with my left arm, hitting the ground hard with my elbow. The funny bone on hard floor doesn’t affect me as much as I feel like it should, and I absently look up at the man who shot me in the stomach.
He grunts quietly and shakes his head, seeming…I don’t know. I can’t…really… think… Like norma…
“You made this harder than it needed to be, Silas Green.”
I felt the same white hot, ice cold, numb, fiery feeling on the opposite side of my stomach. Then again on the left side of my chest.
I can’t make out his face anymore. I can’t process what I’m seeing. What am I feeling?
The feeling hits me again on the right side of my chest.
I fall forwards. I…think I hear noise. Is he…talking? The pain, the heat, the cold, the numbness, all starts to expand outwards from where I first felt the pain. I can feel it in my hips, my shoulders, and my chest.
I feel cold steel on the nape of my neck.
I whited out.