The Last Entry

Story by Randy Schwalbe

Carrie was reading her sister’s diary.

This was the least of her concerns, knowing Julie would not only not mind it, but would encourage it… if Carrie only knew where she was. Two days ago, the police arrived when their mother reported Julie missing, conducting a “thorough search” of her room for leads.

Carrie knew about Julie’s false bottom of her dresser drawer and was not surprised when she later found her diary stashed in it. Four years behind her, Carrie looked up to her sister, as she was about to enter adulthood. Now Carrie felt an overwhelming sense of urgency to come to her rescue, lacking faith in the local police.

Carrie left the house early that day and found a secluded spot by the shore where she hoped to discern a clue about Julie’s disappearance. She found the last entry dated the day before she vanished.

"Nov. 12. I met this really cute guy at the library. Brian seemed very friendly and smart. He treated me to lunch at a really fancy restaurant. He was a perfect gentleman. Come to think of it, I did most of the talking. He just kept asking questions. I’m such an idiot. He must think I’m a bore. But we did go on a walk by the shore afterwards. I wonder if he’ll call me."

Carrie pondered this entry. Was Brian one of her classmates? Did he indeed call her the morning she went missing? Is it possible he was behind her disappearance? A person of interest?

Carrie was too absorbed to notice a looming, formidable shadow approaching her.