#||I ACCIDENTALLY DELETED THIS WHILE CLEARING DRAFTS RAWRRRR

[shining-gem34]

Memory Lanes || Accepting @starlighttrain Because it got accidentally deleted, I remember your ask was 🎀 for Rook. <3

TW: Kidnapping (child abduction)

Record 0000: Into the Darkness

For a child, the amusement park was a different world full of wonder and joy. The colorful attractions sparking delight in every child heart, including ■■■■. Their tiny hands tugging their parents sleeves and begging to join the thrill-inducing rides. Or try their skill (luck) against the carnival games to obtain the prizes.

■■■■ was no different. A middle child among five enchanted by the amusement park allure. He and his siblings tugging their parents hands. Their excitement clear as day wanting a chance to get on one of the many rides of their liking.

"Alright. Since it's □□□□□ birthday, they'll take first pick." His father said, but as his other children expressed their disappointment he's quick to add, "After that, we can decide the rest of the trip!"

"Okay, dad!" ■■■■ and his siblings said in unison.

His mother giggles at how quickly the children are quick to agree. She lifts her youngest son into her arms. Her free hand grabs her daughter, the only girl and second oldest in the family, hand. Their smiles wide as they start walking to the first attraction of the evening.

This prompted his father to take his other children, the oldest and second youngest, hands. Quickly, they walked to catch up to her leaving ■■■■ to trail behind them.

He wasn't too bothered by the fact he was forgotten. After it happened for the nth time, ■■■■ was used to his family new dynamic after his little brother was born a couple years ago. Though, it didn't lessen the sting on his young heart.

"Hurry up, ■■■■! Don't move too far away from us!"

But, ■■■■ will catch up to them like always. They know this fact too well even if they forget about their middle child only to remember him shortly.

However, they should've kept a closer eye on ■■■■ that night.

He was but a child who didn't know any better.

A lonely boy who was too-trusting of those around him. To the point he didn't question the friendly woman who asked him if he like to get his family a present. Eager to make his family happy, ■■■■ didn't hesitate to take her hand. She tugged him away from the crowds. His parents, their hands full with his siblings, didn't notice ■■■■ being taken away by a stranger.

The further away the woman led him, the less people there was around them. Slowly, the excitement transforms into an unsettling weight in his stomach. He starts to shake despite his best efforts to remain brave and find a way out.

But the woman grip on his hand is tight to the point of bruising his wrists.

His window of opportunity arrives when the woman stops at the edge of the park. A spot so dark it's easy to miss anyone standing at this blindspot. She was speaking to someone, a greasy man in a suit. He didn't understand their conversation.

It doesn't stop ■■■■ from biting onto the woman wrist forcing her to let go of him. She says something he can't understand but he doesn't care. Not when ■■■■ starts to run back and try to find his family, anyone who can rescue him.

When he sees the light at the end of the tunnel, full of people walking back and forth the roads, he tries to shout as loud as he can, "Help-"

His relief is short-lived. It plummets down to the darkest pits of despair. Just like the giant hands covering his mouth to stop him from calling for help.

■■■■ struggles against his captors. Scratch, bite, or kick- Anything to escape! He hears them say something before a foul-smelling odor is shoved into his nose. The scent pungent enough to knock him out almost instantly.

"No," ■■■■ thinks as he starts to close his eyes, "This can't be it..."

Snuffing out the last light of his hope, ■■■■ was dragged into the darkness once more. The only evidence left at the scene is a green shoe with cheetah prints.

...

> 🎀 ― a childhood memory.

> Inspiration song: Mirrors, Magnolia