Oh Little Children, Where Have You Gone?

 

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Introduction

Genny hummed softly to herself as she stirred the powdered cheese into the pot below her with practiced hands. Finishing up the simple meal, she asked, “Do you want juice?”

 

Genny frowned softly when she received no answer but went and retrieved some regardless. She grabbed the child-safe fork and stuck it in the bowl before setting everything down at the table.

 

“Melody, is apple juice okay? Or do you want orange?”

 

Still no answer, and Genny straightened up, walking around the table to peer at what had captured her daughter’s attention so. The paper was covered in black symbols, unlike anything Genny was familiar with. The black crayon was clutched in her daughter’s hands, creating intricate artwork with a dexterity far beyond what she remembered her three year old capable of.

 

“Melody, what is that?” she asked, eyebrows drawn downward with confusion. She carefully gripped Melody’s shoulder. “Melody?”

 

A little more frantic, she took her daughter’s face in hand and gently turned it upward to see her face.

 

Her daughter’s eyes were pure white. Genny screamed.

 

~

 

It was on the world news within the hour. Terrified parents, guardians, teachers, all reported similar symptoms. Toddlers to age six, whenever given the option to draw, all took a black writing utensil and created the same set of bizarre markings, failed to respond to questions, and displayed the same white eyes. Experts were baffled, and clinics had lines stretched around the corner. Hysteria settled around the world like smoke and all they could do was breathe it in.

 

~

 

“What does it mean, child? The drawings.”

 

“He said it’s time to go, soon.”

 

“Who?”

 

“White Eyes.”

 

~

 

Melody sat up from where she lay with her mommy. The clock read a 3 and a 4 and an 8 and an A and an M. She grabbed her bunny before slowly sliding out of bed, bare feet padding softly against the carpet. She carefully opened her bedroom door, where the drawings had been taped to her wall and her mother had asked lots of questions. She blinked, placed her tiny palm against one of the black markings, giggled at the tingly feeling, and vanished. The stuffed toy dropped to the floor.

 

~

 

Melody woke and immediately turned, expecting Melody to be sound asleep beside her. At the sight of her missing, she leapt from her bed.

 

“Melody?” she shouted.

 

With no answer, she bound into her daughter’s room. The drawings were gone. All that remained was a tiny hand print, seemingly scorched into the wall. Genny dropped onto her knees, scooping up the abandoned toy and placing her hand against the print.

 

“Melody!” she screamed, before hurling the toy and scratching at the wall, fingernails splitting, blood dotting the green paint. She heaved in panicked, desperate breathes, wailing her daughter’s name.

 

 

~

 

Where have the children gone? 

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