Page 78 of Black Hollow: Awakening

He should have been crushed by the rejection, but he was simply uneasy. When he got home, Will analyzed what he had heard for a long time. Eventually, he even began to wonder if it was true. He didn’t suspect Oscar of resorting to such stories to get rid of a persistent admirer, but who knew?

Firing up his laptop, Will started searching. He figured that the disappearance of a young boy couldn’t have gone unnoticed, and he wasn’t wrong. Soon enough, he found news reports from just under two years ago.

Bradley Foster had disappeared at just sixteen. Reportedly, one sunny morning, he had left his house in a red t-shirt and brown shorts, with twenty dollars in his pocket. He was heading to a nearby store, but he never made it there.

It must have been a big case, because he came across many articles describing the actions of both the police and the community.

Will felt awful, unable to even imagine what Oscar must have gone through. But on the other hand… If Oscar still cared about Brad—and he clearly did…

He was treating Will as a distraction.

And nothing more.

These grim thoughts were interrupted by the sound of his phone.

“Hello?” Will answered.

“Guess what!” Norma exclaimed.

“I don’t think I can,” Will muttered, moving the phone slightly away from his ear.

“Boo! You’re no fun! Tomorrow is your big day.”

“Meaning?”

“We’re going on a mission! You, me, and Abby!”

“That’s great.”

“I was expecting more enthusiasm, but yes. We’re meeting at my place at noon. Sound good?”

“Sure. What exactly are we going to be doing?”

“Demon hunting.”

January 11 | Saturday

“So, what’s the deal with these demons?”

It was a frosty afternoon. Will was with Norma and Abby, walking down Baker Street.

“You’ll see,” Norma replied, grinning broadly.

“You said the same thing yesterday!” Will huffed in frustration. He had tried to get more out of her, but she just kept offering mysterious comments.

“Why would I spoil the surprise?”

“So I could prepare? A little better than just this?” Will grumbled, digging a chain out from under his scarf and showing his companions the cross hanging from it.

“Are you religious?”

“No.”

“Well, turns out demons aren’t either, so that won’t help you much. But if you threw on some black clothes and some killer makeup, you’d be the perfect goth. You’ve got the complexion for it.”

Will rolled his eyes.

“Are you going to tell me?” he grumbled impatiently.