Chapter 3: Kevin's Missing
Clarissa entered her house pausing by the door, she shouted, "Kevin, where are you? Come out here right now! We waited for you all day at school, and you never came!" Mrs. Lu heard her daughter's loud shout, drop the clothes she was folding into a basket, and walked to the front of the house. She found Clarissa standing in the doorway, while Leroy, Nathan, and Kelly stood in the dirt yard. They had all come to scold Kevin for making them worry. Mrs. Lu was taken aback to see so many familiar faces. She asked, "Kids, what's going on here? Why are you all here and asking for Kevin? Isn't he with you guys?" Hearing Mrs Lu comment everyone stared at her, and a look of confusion dawned on their faces. "Are you serious Aunty Lu?" Nathan asked. "Don't mess with us!" They all stood in silence, looking at each other in growing alarm.
Kelly was the first to break the silent tension. "Aunty Lu, is Kevin really not home?" Everyone's gaze turned to Mrs. Lu. Waiting on her answer, she responded, "No he isn't at home and he hasn't been the entire day." The group of kids were all in shock. Clarissa noticing her mother's increasing worry and interjected, "Don't forget he went to the Mines this morning to drop lunch for father! He probably stayed with him for the rest of the day." Though still concerned, the reminder helped Mrs Lu feel a bit calmer. Nathan added, "Remember it was also raining. He probably got soaked and stayed at the Mines to dry off." Kevin's friends usually refer to Mr. Lu as Uncle as a sign of respect. They all look at each other and a sigh of relief fell over the crowd. It felt like they had just successfully navigated a very difficult maze. With all the information gathered, Mrs. Lu. Felt much calmer and told the kids to head home as it was getting late and she didn't want their parents to worry. The kids immediately followed Aunty Lu's instruction and left together, but not before leaving a message with Clarissa, tell Kevin that we will meet up at the same spot tomorrow.
Once the kids had left Mrs Lu and Clarissa went back in to the house. Clarissa went to her room to tidy up, shower, and get started on her homework. Mrs Lu walked towards the kitchen to continue preparing evening dinner for the family. She patiently awaited the arrival of Kevin and Mr Lu. After finishing up her assignments and showering, Clarissa went to the kitchen to help her mother with the preparation of the dishes. There was chopped pork, steamed vegetables, rice, and a chicken broth. The mother and daughter worked harmoniously in the kitchen, getting everything done quickly. This was something the family usually did everyday to unwind and de stress from the day's activities. As time was drawing closer for when Mr. Lu normally returns home, Mrs. Lu and Clarissa moved from the kitchen to the dining room. There, they stared intently at the door, waiting for Mr Lu to return with Kevin.
Creek! Creek! The door was pushed open and the person that entered was no other than Mr. Lu. Following his normal routine, he didn't immediately notice the intense stares coming from his wife and daughter. On raising his head, he finally noticed his lovely wife and daughter. "Good night, ladies", he said, walking into the dining room. As he got closer, he noticed the concerned look on their faces and asked, "what's going on with you girls?" His words broke the silence, bringing them back to reality. When they came to their senses, reality hit, Mr. Lu was alone. Clarissa asked. "Dad where is Kevin? Is he not with you?" Mr. Lu was bewildered and replied, "No." Mrs Lu became extremely worried, her nerves on edge. "What do you mean by 'no'? Didn't Kevin drop off lunch and stay with you at the Mines today, Charles?" "No," Mr. Lu replied again. "He came late to drop lunch, so I told him we would have a chat when I reached home, he left after that." Mrs. Lu went into full panic mode. She got up, ran pass Mr. Lu and made her way out the house in search of her son. Mr Lu, still confused, turned towards Clarissa waiting for an explanation. As her father's worried gaze intensified, he asked, "What's going on?!" Clarissa explained that Kevin never showed up at school earlier in the day and hadn't come home either. After explaining, she then took off in the same direction, hurrying behind her mom.
Mr Lu watched his wife and daughter franticly leave the house. He quickly put back on his work boots and made his way out, trying to catch up to them. They searched the entire night, even going to their neighbours, friends, and family for help, but to no avail. Kevin was nowhere to be found. After searching for hours with no success, the family went to the police and reported that Kevin was missing. The police took their statements on the matter. They informed the family that they were unable to begin a formal investigations until a person has been officially missing for at least twenty four hours. The family felt dejected after listening what the police said. They decided to continue searching by themselves. At approximately 3;00 a.m., the family, tired and battered decided to return home. Clarissa ran to her room, defeated, her eyes bursting with tears. Mr. and Mrs. Lu went into the dining room to pack up the uneaten food left on the dinner table, they were too stressed to even think about eating.
Mr Lu observed his wife slowly crumbling with fear and sadness. He wrapped his arms around her and gently squeezed. Mr. Lu uttered comforting words. "He is safe; don't worry too much he will make it back." Her husband's words provided the assurance she needed, Mrs. Lu felt slightly more spirited. Mr Lu guided his wife to the living room where they both sat on the couch facing the door and fell asleep in each other's arms. As they slept, dark clouds gathered in the sky above the village; it was a very gloomy and restless morning. Tap! Tap! Tap! Rain began falling, and thundering roars pierced the grey sky, with every roar louder than the last, accompanied by repeated flashes of lightning across Wang Xian's sky.
Crack! Crack! BOOM!
A flash of light struck the bin in the alley where Kevin lay. One strike, two strikes, three, this was an abnormal phenomenon. Three lightning flashes hit the same spot. Kevin was jolted awake by the pain on the third shock. His once slow beating heart began to quicken, and his body was bathed in a golden hue. The power of the lightning and its energy course through his veins, activating the blood cells in his body. That energy, a strange power, emanated from the liquid in the small orb that was tucked away in his pocket. Now that the liquid was activated flashes and memories seeped into Kevin's consciousness. Before he could make sense of them, lightning flashed again, forcing Kevin's body back into an unconscious state. His eyes slowly blurred and he faded into darkness. As Kevin lost consciousness the sky above him cleared and the rain slowed to a stop. Around six in the morning, there was a movement in the bin in the alley; a dark silhouette hope out of the bin and disappeared.
Creek... Kevin's door was pushed open, Clarissa screamed, "Ahhhhhh!" Mr. Lu and his wife were jolted awake by the sound, only to find a blanket covering them. Not paying too much attention to the blanket they hurriedly made their way to the noise, only to find Clarissa standing frozen at Kevin's room door. Mr. and Mrs. Lu glanced in the direction she was staring and were instantly dumb founded. The person they were searching for all night was now sleeping soundly in his bed. His school uniform which was suppose to be a white shirt and navy blue pants was now synch black and clinging to his skin. All the worry they had accumulated during the night was now slowly evaporating. The sadness they once felt was replace by unbridled joy in their heart as they stood next to Clarissa by his door.
Mrs Lu saw Kevin sound asleep and stood over her son, it seemed that he had a harder night than they had. She felt hurt and concerned but overall happy that he was home. She carefully took his dirty clothes off and sent Clarissa to fetch her a bucket of warm water and a towel. After wiping off his body and changing his clothes she left his room and went to the living room where Mr. Lu and their daughter patiently waited. Mr. Lu asked, "How is he doing?" Mrs. Lu replied, "He is just sleeping, and I don't wish to wake him. He definitely had a long night and is really tired." By midday, Kevin's eyelids fluttered and he opened his eyes. He was shocked as he looked around at his surroundings; he was alive and in his room. The ordeal with the masked assailants the night before felt like a nightmare, something he wished never to experience again. As he regained his senses, he began searching his body for any injuries. To his astonishment, everything seemed fine; there were no broken limbs and no stab wounds. Lost in his thought, he wondered what had happened to him, what could have brought about such a miracle. Generally, he felt overwhelmingly grateful.