"Hello sir, what can I help you with?"
"I was wondering how much this is?"
"Five dollars. Who is the toy for?"
"A friend."
The streets were busy. It was much busier than usual. Parents hurrying along clutching onto their children's arms like shackles as they crazily look around for any unusual behaviours. Cops were stationed outside every building on high alert their faces as still as a statue, guns positioned in their hands ready to fire at any sudden movement. The city was in chaos. Cars honked madly as pedestrians shouted at the smallest of mistakes. But businesses still thrived as they would. More problems meant more people. And more people meant more money. Vendors were stationed across every block in the city, around corners, and in the middle of parks ranting aloud their brilliant products. Signs were placed all over, directing them to come for food, clothes, toys, books, and security.
The atmosphere was tense. I could feel the uneasiness inside every person who walked past me. Their heads low but eyes tilting to their sides glancing quickly at whoever walked past. Mothers would latch onto their children instantly as soon as a stranger approached and would scream, signalling them away. Madness. But a disappearance of a notable middle-class businessman and his own daughter would most likely stir up a commotion. This city had been peaceful for many generations, and the disturbance of this peace invoked fear unlike any other. But the beaty of nature continued to stand. The sun stood up high, shining down its evangelical rays that struck onto every building illuminating it. A cool, gentle breeze swept across the city as the sky was crystal clear with no clouds in sight.
A beautifully warm day corrupted by humanity's imperfections. Humans and nature can not coincide. The very idea of it is impossible. Imperfections are planted into a universe of perfection. We shouldn't exist. Our very own presence clashes with the universe. Such simple creatures cause the greatest havoc. But I suppose that is life. A long line of chaos.
"Excuse me, sir. Could you please spare some change?"
"Why, of course. Here."
"Thank you! Thank you so much!"
"You're welcome."
"It's crazy, isn't it. How quick the world can change. One day, people were acting normally, and the next turn into animals."
"It's beautiful."
"Beautiful?"
"Yes, to see the true nature of man is something that is beyond just beauty. It is perfection itself. The constant battle to survive, the fear of what is hiding, it all bring out our reality. Seeing people cower and run or stand up and fight. Seeing them beg for mercy or shout as they die. It...it is beautiful."
"I thought I was crazy. But I guess there are people crazier than me."
I chuckled. "If being crazy is our reality, then I shall accept it wholeheartedly. Do you want some food?"
"Yes, please, if it isn't a hassle for you."
"Always here to help." I said as I entered a store and returned a few minutes after with a sandwich.
"Thank you very much. May I ask why you are concealing yourself in broad daylight?"
Wearing a long black trench coat and a hood to cover my face, I let out a small smirk. "Because I'm crazy." I said as I stared at him, my eyes ominously glowing red before I walked off.
Walking around the central park, it was unusually busier. People sat around in their own circles, having their own picnics, gossiping about their own lives and watching their own children play. It was rather calming compared to the streets. However, I could smell the underlying fear in the parent's eyes. The quick glances in between talks just to make sure no on approached them by surprise. The constant supervision of the children ensuring they don't tread a little too far. No matter how hard they try to conceal it, it's written all over their faces. Even as I walk through the middle of the park, I can feel them. A million eyes watching me. My every step, my every sigh, everything.
Thud.
Looking down, a small girl clashed into my leg now sat on the floor, rubbing her head.
"Are you okay, little one?" I said, crouching down as I moved her hair to the side.
"Yes, sorry for bumping into you, mister." Her voice squeaky and innocent.
"Watch where you go. Here." I said, picking up her toy plane from the ground.
"Thank you!" She said a huge smile on her face as she took her plane back.
"Lily!" A woman said, rushing over as she grabbed her away from me. "What did I tell you about wandering off!"
"Sorry mom, I was just playing." She said a hint of sadness in her voice.
"Don't get riled up on her too much." I spoke.
"You know how the city is right now. I'm sorry my daughter ran into you, but mind your own business and let me do what I need to." She said, her tone slightly annoyed. I watched as they both walked off her daughter, turning around and waving goodbye to me as I did it back.
Walking through the streets again showed me a vast difference to the park. People protesting outside police stations demanded increased security and continuous updates. Bystanders walking across on high alert as they ensured that no one passed by too close for comfort. Even the police themselves felt anxious. All they could do was stand there, occasionally darting their head from left to right after hearing a small bang near them. Watching the chaos, I felt... satisfied. But it wasn't the kind of satisfaction I wanted. I needed more.
Seeing people heightening their usual behaviours was not enough. I wanted to see something new. Something that I had never seen before. But so far, to my surprise, the only missing people that the police had reported were Harold and his daughter. There was no news about Jolynn (which I wasn't as surprised about due to the fact that she was an ordinary country girl) and Annabeth (who was a well-known sociologist). I had a feeling something big was going to happen. Something huge. And I was just in time for it.
A massive crowd had formed in front of the police station as the commander had signalled a wide alert for a big update on the case. News reporters were eagerly waiting for the latest scoop, as families sat together in their houses waiting to see what was about to happen. Standing in the midst, I myself was curious as to what they had to offer. My heart thumped with excitement as I could not help but let out a small, menacing smile as I watched the chaos unfold.
"Welcome, everyone. My dear citizens, as your commanding officer, it is my duty to ensure that you are continuously updated about the latest information that we gain. And I shall continue to uphold that, for honesty and trust between us is at utmost importance. We must continue to work together to bring back peace to this town." He said his voice bland but dominating.
"However, I have something else to share. Something that will spiral this town into an even bigger darkness. I questioned whether or not I should disclose such information for quite a while, but now I know that it is necessary. Leaving you all in the dark is something that will not help anyone. And it is with my huge sadness that I announce that Annabeth Harker, the famed sociologist, and Jolynn Parker, a student at Harvard University, were also accompanying Mr Harold Bane on their journey here together and are being declared missing as of now." He said, his voice low and shameful.
There was dead silence. No one spoke a word. It was as if everyone was trying to process what had just been said. And then all hell broke loose. People were screaming and shouting insanely, demanding more information. News reporters swarmed the chief, trying to get more answers about what was happening. A huge crowd of fear filled people began trying to advance forward through the huge barrier of police officers, throwing bottles and other objects, shouting slurs, and questioning if their even safe.
"WHAT THE HELL DO YOU MEAN MISSING?"
"HOW LONG HAVE YOU KEPT THIS HIDDEN?"
"HOW HAVE YOU ALLOWED THIS TO HAPPEN UNDER YOUR OWN NOSE?"
"GO DIE!"
"WHAT ABOUT US? ARE WE SAFE?"
"WHAT IF WE ARE NEXT!"
Chaos. And in the midst of it, I stood. My eyes glowed red, and a huge smile across my face.
Yes! This is what it means to be in fear. This is humanity! Scream! Shout! Do whatever it takes to lose yourself!
I could feel my heart almost jump out of my body in joy as pleasure overwhelmed me. I had waited so long for this, and now it is coming to life. For a while, all I did was bask in the fear that filled the air. Rain began to pour as lightning had chosen to enter the fight. I couldn't hear anything. No voices. No sound. Nothing. It's just a heavenly view of chaos. People punching each other as police demanded people to remain calm.
News reporters poured onto the commander as he tried to enter back into the station. Children covered in tears as mothers looked around desperately to find their child fearful that they may be next. In houses, people began to lock every door and window, making sure no one enters or leaves. Cars began to pile up as traffic swarmed the streets. Everyone wanted to leave. To go somewhere else. Somewhere far from here.
After a while, the streets were empty. Not even the homeless lay down in the middle of the road. National lockdown. The commander had asked people to stay in their houses and only leave when it is of the utmost importance. It had essentially become a ghost town. The parks, once filled with joy, were now a desolate field of greenery. Shops had been closed, as barricades were placed all around town. Security had reached its highest.
Walking through the desolate streets, I felt fulfilled. My plan had worked. I had seen the extreme lengths of fear on a mass population without controlling any variables. It was majestic. Seeing the fruition of my ideas on a grand scale was exhilarating. However, I was more interested in the results from my dear subjects. They were my golden ducks. My prized possessions. Violence was a natural response to fear, and a huge crowd resorting to violence wasn't anything new. But seeing a whole lockdown was something that I had never expected. This was my first time experiencing something so big. And it was brilliant.
As I walked down back towards my laboratory, I noticed a small rustling in a dark alley. As I made my way towards it, I noticed a silhouette of a small, frail creature rustling within the bins. Walking closer and closer, I made a faint outline of something human. A boy. Rumbling through the garbage, trying to find food. I could notice the clear malnutrition from the pale white appearance and skeleton like body. This was clear starvation.
"What are you up to, kid?" I said as I walked closer.
In response, it immediately growled at me as it jumped back onto its all fours like an animal. Intrigued, I inched closer, forwarding my hand towards it to see what it would do. Violently, I growled even louder as it snapped its teeth at me, trying to signal me to back away.
"How unusual. Is it an orphan? Do you understand me?"
No response, only a small, low growl.
"This town is surrounded by woods, but for a child to remain undetected for such a long time is unusual. It seems as though it had never had any contact with another human until now. Human in appearance, animal in mind." A small smile filled across my face as I knew I had found something valuable. "How amazing!"
I stood up and made my way towards it, an ominous presence alleviating from within my body. The boy noticed the sudden shift in the atmosphere and instantly began to step back and cower in fear. It let out a small whimper, which was followed by a low wail. But I continued forward, my hand reaching into my pocket and taking out a needle.
"This will only hurt for a moment." I said as I filled the needle with a liquid.
The boy tried to run away from me before realising that it had been into a dead end. Afraid, all it could do was wail and cower, knowing that it had no escape. I pinned it to the floor before injecting the needle into its neck.
"Sleep tight." I whispered before it let out one final whimper and lost its conscious.
Picking it up, I placed it into a bag I found on the side and carried it with me towards my laboratory. My body felt light as my mind was eager to begin multiple experiments. I could not wait as the countless possibilities filled my head. New ideas and results that awaited me. So, I rushed back as quickly as I could, not wanting to waste another second. And now I had something else to play with. To use for my own gains.
Another volunteer.