When she noticed her son's absence, she assumed he had gone to the girls' dormitories, as she had reprimanded him for doing on many occasions. But this time, it was different. This time, he did not return and she had no idea where he had gone. With her husband away on business, she searched the house, growing increasingly frantic with each room she found empty. She began to worry that he had eloped with one of the girls, but that thought fled when she found his bed perfectly made and undisturbed. She knew he would never leave the bed unmade.
She searched the entire house for hours, then she began to search all the surrounding streets of the town. Soon, she became convinced that he was somewhere nearby, and she began to search for him.
She searched the streets and alleys for hours on end, without finding him. It was getting dark. She knew that if she didn't find him by the time the sun set, she would have to report him missing, as he was still too young to be without his parents. She found herself in the alley where she found him the first time.
She walked into the dark, winding alley and felt the fear. The feeling grew as she walked deep within the recesses of the alley. She felt someone standing behind her, following her. She tried to disregard the feeling, but she could not, her urge to flee intensifying by the second. She reached into her shirt for her crucifix, but found nothing.
She knew it had to be much later than dusk now, but somehow the darkness had not grown. She tried to tell herself it was just an optical illusion, but as she turned back to look behind her, she felt unable to breathe.
She tried to scream as she was enveloped by the all-consuming shadows, but nothing more than a silent breath escaped her lungs.
And then she heard nothing more.