In the morning, Mark informed the neighbors that Dylan was missing. He stated that the boy had probably gone for a walk in the mountains and gotten lost. The neighbors started searching, but no one found any trace of Dylan. Mark looked worried, but the experienced sheriff pointed out the inconsistencies in his story.
– When was the last time you saw your son? – The sheriff asked, looking directly at Mark.
– In the evening … he was in his room,” Mark answered, averting his gaze.
– Did you hear him leave the house? Maybe see him at the door? – the sheriff clarified.
– No, but … I was sure he’d gone for a walk,” Mark said uncertainly. His voice shook.
The house was in order, too perfect for a man who, he said, had spent the night searching for his son. The search had gone on for days, but not a single lead had been found. The sheriff began to suspect that Dylan had not left home.
Dylan’s mother, Elaine, was desperate. She called the police, begging them to check Mark’s house.
– You have to check it out! – she yelled into the phone. – I know he’s hiding something!
During the night, neighbors reported strange phenomena in Mark’s house. One of them claimed to have seen a boy with empty eyes staring out the window at the street.
– I sure saw him,” he assured the sheriff. – It was him, your missing boy.
– Perhaps you imagined it,” the sheriff tried to reassure him.
– I know what I saw! – insisted the neighbor. – And I also heard him calling for help.
These stories added to the dark atmosphere that surrounded Dylan’s disappearance.