Poets logo

Abducted

[..........]

By Kristen Keenon FisherPublished 2 months ago • 1 min read
Abducted
Photo by Dav Hovhannisyan on Unsplash

LOCAL NEWS - 6PM

Authorities continue searching for a child

last seen inside a home

where nothing was reported missing.

There was no sign of forced entry.

Neighbors witnessed nothing

out of the ordinary.

The child was last seen wearing--

[CHANNEL CHANGED]

COMMERCIAL

Do old memories

leave stubborn marks?

Our patented formula

lifts the past from any surface

without damaging

who you pretend to be.

One scrub before work

and no one will know

what your fabric has survived.

Possible side effects include

chronic emptiness,

difficulty sleeping,

short term memory aversion.

Ask a trusted adult

whether forgetting

is right for-

[MUTE]

WEATHER - 7:30PM

A low pressure system remains stagnant

over the residence

where the child was last seen.

Expect doors slamming shut

on their own

with no wind,

muffled voices bulging from the walls,

and long periods of silence

misshapen as calm.

Children in the affected area

should take shelter

inside the version of themselves

that draws the least attention.

No downpour is expected.

Everything will be swallowed

before it falls--

[CHANNEL CHANGED]

LIVE GAME SHOW

HOST: Name something an adult can lose

that cannot be found under a couch cushion.

The contestant studies ten empty spaces.

The audience knows.

Clenched teeth.

[BUZZER]

WE INTERRUPT YOUR REGULARLY SCHEDULED PROGRAMMING...

AMBER ALERT

NAME:

AGE AT DISAPPEARANCE: 8

LAST SEEN: Fitting in

MAY ANSWER TO: "Scapegoat"

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

Apologizes for being present.

Uses kindness as a shield.

Mistakes feeling needed

for being safe.

[..........]

Please be advised,

the child may be traveling

with an adult considered trustworthy.

[CHANNEL CHANGED]

SPORTS

--and against impossible odds,

what a remarkable comeback--

[CHANNEL CHANGED]

UNRESOLVED MYSTERIES

"Thank you for watching,

Unresolved Mysteries.

And now,

an age-progressed image

of the missing child."

EMERGENCY BROADCAST SYSTEM:

THIS IS ONLY A TEST--

[POWER OFF]

Mental Healthsad poetrysocial commentary

About the Creator

Kristen Keenon Fisher

Some assembly required.

*Batteries not included.

Enjoyed the story? Support the Creator.

Subscribe for free to receive all their stories in your feed. You could also become a paid subscriber, letting them know you appreciate their work.

Subscribe For Free

Reader insights

Comments

There are no comments for this story

Be the first to respond and start the conversation.

Sign in to comment
    Written by Kristen Keenon Fisher