They’ll never know the little brother Danny had known. Riley was fun, kind, considerate; he had an adventurous curiosity like eight year old boys, climbing trees, hunting make believe monsters with his friends, trying to climb onto old garage rooftops. They would sit together, telling each other stories, playing games.

As he sat there, in Riley’s bedroom, looking around at remnants of his personality, he wondered how life had changed so quickly since his disappearance just over a week ago.

His parents were grief stricken, as they awaited each day for news of their baby boy. Anger, frustration and tears had set the tone of the house. Police patrolled the front of the house, day and night, fearing another abduction attempt their other son, Danny stayed out of the way, confining himself to his bedroom, until today.

They’ll never know the how much Riley was loved by his family. He was the apple of his mother’s eye, he could do no wrong, and most of the time, he never did. His Dad would sit with him on Saturday mornings, watching Cartoons, followed by Wrestling. How excited Danny and Riley were when their cousins would visit, and they would make up stories, and play different characters and monsters in the back garden.

As Danny sits on his brother’s bed, slowly emptying his brothers box of toys, his heart misses a beat, as he thinks about those toys never to be played with again.

They’ll never know the fear Riley felt when he first told his parents about the monster in his wardrobe, who would leave the door slightly open of a night, as if it was watching him; or hide his toys in his mattress; or appear at his window of a night time, frightening him with his scarred, blood red face.

Danny opens his brothers drawer, looking through his clothes, hats, scarves; he knows they’ll never be worn by his little brother ever again. The tears fill his eyes, as he think back to the last time he saw Riley.

They argued, a very rare event between the two boys. Riley had borrowed Danny’s IPod, knowing he shouldn’t have. Danny snatched it back from him. “Don’t touch my things ever again,” he shouted. Riley ran off to his bedroom, sobbing. Danny left the house, to calm himself down, and save himself from an ear bashing from his mum. He returned home a few hours later, to find his parents in a state of shock, asking if he knew where Riley was, urging him to remember the last time they spoke, the police being called, the search parties sent out.

Just over a week later, and still no sign of Riley. They fear he had been abducted, taken, but by whom, nobody knows. The investigation continues, as Danny sits all alone, the guilt inside of him, swelling like a helium balloon, waiting to explode.

Danny never told anyone what happened that day. When he rode out to the copse of woods near the train tracks. He never told anyone of the secret hole he had dug, to hide their hidden loot.

They’ll never know Riley showed up just afterwards, after sneaking out the house. They’ll never know of the apology Danny spoke of, answered back by a kick from Riley to his shin. How Riley tried to get him in a head lock, but Danny responded with a rock from the ground, straight into the side of Riley’s head. Once. Twice. He fell into the hole. A freak accident. They’ll never know how Danny stood their, emotionless, looking at the lifeless body of his younger brother, his resentment and jealousy of the attention his brother received all those years, as he started to bury him with the soil and rock pile.

In Danny’s mind, they’ll never know what he did, or where his younger brother rests.

As he rifles through his drawers, he takes back his possessions Riley had borrowed from him. He closed the drawer, walking towards the door. He turns and takes one last look, knowing he’ll never hear his little brothers voice again. He smiles, shutting the door slowly.

They’ll never know.