I wanted to believe Jared, but I didn’t how to. Growing up, he was always there for me when I needed him the most. But for me to be doubtful of his story, Jared felt totally alone. Jared tried to convince our parents that he was being followed, but they just told him that there was nobody there. That wasn’t good enough for Jared. He just wanted someone, anyone, to listen to him, but everyone believed that Jared was just being paranoid. Now, Jared has disappeared.

Nobody knew why. Nobody knew where he went. The police did everything that they could to find Jared, but they never found him. As days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months, Jared’s whereabouts remain unknown. My parents were desperate for answers. They couldn’t understand how their fifteen year old son could just vanish into thin air. He tried to warn us, but we didn’t listen.

By the time December came, the case went cold. My parents have all but given up hope that my brother will be found. I was ready to give up as well...until something strange happened. Two days ago, I received a phone call. I answered by saying “Hello?”, but nobody responded. The silence lasted for a full minute when I decided to hang up. Before I did that, a voice called out to me.

“Ashley?”