The Room. IV

Jacob vanished without a trace on Saturday 6th June.

I saw Niamh's smiling face displayed on my phone, as it vibrated on the glass coffee table. As usual I didn't pick up; I normally waited for the third call, at least then I'd know it was important, not another tale about her losing her boy to the devil.

I turned and looked out the window. It had been a strange day; the weather suddenly turning from glorious sunshine to grey, with the threat of thunder looming in the dark clouds above. My pained reflection stared back at me from the glass, as I took another mouthful from my bottle of Bud.

The phone continued to vibrate, when a sudden chill ran through my body; I was no longer alone in my reflection. Jacob was there too. Instinctively I turned round, but he was gone. I scanned the room, but he wasn't there. How could he be, the doors are locked. I remember shouting his name as wandered from room to room. Still the phone rumbled on the table.

I picked it up, before its reverberations sent it traveling to the tiled floor. That's when I saw the message.

"JACOBS GONE. PICK UP!"

I pressed 'accept call' and said hello, rubbing my hands in exasperation through my hair.

"He's gone Jack. The police are here, they need to talk to you."

"What do you mean he's gone?" I couldn't think straight "I...I..I've just seen him....well I think I did."

"Where Jacob?! Is he there?" Her desperate and anguished voice echoed in my ear.

"Is he with you Jack?"

Confused I replied "No, no he's not. I... I thought I saw his reflection, but... I don't know.. he's not here. I'll be right over."