The Attendant 2 (A Short Story)
**Dearest Reader, this is the sequel to a previous story. Click here to read the first part before proceeding**
“Do you know why I never watch the news?” I said to my guest as I walked into the house.
“It is always filled with bad news. If it’s not a natural disaster, it is war or abduction.” I dropped my bag on the kitchen counter and made us a quick meal.
Then I collapsed into the living room sofa and stared at the familiar face on the TV — her face, then the headline: STILL MISSING: MISS EVELYN.
It has been a crazy couple of days. The whole state was put on a 6 pm curfew, with a strong police presence everywhere. I have just continued my life, going to work as if nothing happened, and luckily for me… no one has come to question me.
Nothing has been traced to me, and I’m sure as hell not going to incriminate myself over something I know nothing about or someone I just met.
It's now been three days, and Evelyn is still missing. The police think it is a serial killer. Apparently, there had been two previous murders, but they did not raise the alarm. Something about not wanting to cause a panic until they were sure.
Can you imagine? Three days. No suspect. No evidence. Now the first girl I ever felt something for in months is missing. If I find that bastard, I will kill him.
I’ll kill him, I say.
They say he abducts his victim in open spaces, binds them, and force feeds them cereal for days before doing the dastardly act. The news is calling him the ‘CEREAL KILLER.’
Ha! Ha! It’s not even funny. A girl is out there missing, probably dead, and these dumbasses are here rhyming.
The men in the area have even formed a vigilante watch group, searching for her body every day. I should join them, but I’m not really an early riser. Plus I have to work.
Since the police released that information, you should see how people look at men who buy cereal at the mall. Stores have even begun to remove cereals from their shelves.
“Babe, you should see how people now look at men in the cereal aisle,” I said to my guest, almost laughing.
“They think they’re starving the madman, but what if they are just starving the poor girl” I turn to look at my new guest, but she doesn’t say a thing.
She just gives off a squinting sound as if trying to say something but changing her mind. She has actually been a shy type since we met, so nothing new.
“Babe, are you still angry with me that I forced you to have breakfast?” I said, eyes still glued to the news.
“I understand you don’t have the appetite, but you can’t starve yourself cos someone is missing.” I said, switching the TV off.
“I really hope they find her, though….” I sighed, staring at her reflection through the blank screen.
“Sorry.”
“I mean…I really hope they find You.”
I turned to look at her.
There she was.
Evelyn.
Tied to my dining chair, shaking.
Tears in eyes.
Tape over mouth.
Hands and legs bound.
Cereal untouched.
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