When the door opened, Miko's nine year old sister was already running to greet them. "Mommy!" she exclaimed. "Hi baby." She bent down and kissed her daughter on the forehead while Miko continued inside. "Hey brother~" she grinned mischievously. He only sat on the couch and paid attention to the television.
Once again, another child has disappeared. Seven year old Joshua Brown was last seen biking down Fenway Lane yesterday on his way to buy ice cream. He never returned. Authorities have scoured the area but nothing has been found-
The television turned off.
"Mom! Miko was watching that!" the nine year old exclaimed. "That's enough television for him. He must do something else now." she said, holding a container of leftovers.
"You think they'll ever find him?" She stopped in her tracks. "They never found the others-" She slammed the container of lasagna on the counter. "I'm sure they will, honey. I know they will." There was a brief silence. Then the distinct sound of fabric rubbing on fabric followed by small feet padding against the floor came to her ears. She sighed and popped the lasagna into the microwave.
As they ate dinner that night, Mom handed Miko his pills as usual. The boy took them but instead popped two Tic Tacs in his mouth and washed those down with water. He threw the pills in the garbage after dinner.
"Night son," his mom told him. "Night mother," he replied. The lights flicked off and he entered into a colorful slumber.