Seamlessly
As weeks seamlessly flowed into months, Jack and Emma grew inseparable. Their weekends were filled with adventures, cooking experiments, and deep conversations about their aspirations. Jack had never felt such a profound connection or understanding.
One evening, following a candlelit dinner, Jack took a heartfelt leap and confessed, “I love you, Emma. More than I’ve ever loved anyone.” Emma’s eyes glistened with tears of joy as she responded, “I love you too, Jack.” They shared a tender embrace, savoring the pure bliss of the moment. Yet, amidst their happiness, there was someone who harbored discontent about their relationship.
Greenfield County
Kirk Donald, a beloved 49-year-old fixture in Greenfield County, Texas, was a familiar and friendly face in the neighborhood. Known for his ever-present smile and cheerful demeanor, he was the type of person everyone appreciated and enjoyed.
Each evening, Kirk followed the same routine at the local Domino’s Pizza shop. As soon as his phone number popped up, the staff would greet him with, “Hey Kirk, the usual?” Without missing a beat, he’d reply, “That’s right—large pizza with extra salami and olives, and don’t forget a sub with the same toppings!” His love for salami and olives became his signature, endearing him to everyone who knew him.
Local Figure
Kirk was a beloved local figure, recognized for his warm smile and friendly wave. His love for Domino’s Pizza had become a defining part of his identity over the past decade. Every day, without fail, he ordered a pizza topped with salami and olives, occasionally swapping in a sub with the same toppings.
The Domino’s delivery team knew his order by heart, and Sarah Linden, a waitress who occasionally answered the phone, always looked forward to his cheerful calls. Kirk’s daily routine made him a cherished regular, and his positive presence was a highlight for everyone at the local Domino’s.
Working At Domino's
Sarah had spent more than a decade working at the Domino’s shop and was quite familiar with Kirk. Every time he came in to pick up his order, they exchanged friendly banter. “Busy day?” she’d inquire, and he’d respond with a chuckle, “Always, Sarah, but nothing a good pizza can’t solve.”
Their conversations often included light-hearted jokes about the weather, local news, and sports. While Kirk enjoyed following sports, he preferred to stay on the sidelines rather than actively participate.
Usual Order
Kirk's usual order time passed, but the phone remained silent. Sarah noticed the absence but initially brushed it off, thinking he might be working late.
As the night progressed, her concern grew. It was unusual for Kirk to miss a night without a word. “He’ll call tomorrow,” she told herself, trying to dismiss the worry as she focused on the evening rush.
The Following Day
The following day, Sarah continued to anxiously check her phone, hoping for a call from Kirk that never came. Each ring made her heart race, but it was always someone else on the line, not his familiar, cheerful voice.
By the third day, unease began to settle in. “Has anyone heard from Kirk recently?” she asked her coworkers during a break. One of them shrugged, suggesting he might be out of town. Despite their casual responses, Sarah couldn’t shake her worry. Kirk was never one to vanish without a word, so she considered calling him but hesitated, dismissing her anxiety as overthinking.
No Word From Kirk
A week had gone by without any word from Kirk, and Sarah’s anxiety was mounting. She had begun to develop a fondness for him, and his sudden absence left her unsettled.
Desperate for answers, Sarah started inquiring with customers about Kirk’s whereabouts. Their responses were always the same: “No, haven’t seen him lately,” they’d reply, suggesting he might just be keeping a low profile. But Sarah couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off. Kirk was predictable and had a straightforward routine—work, home, and his daily Domino’s order.
Absent
Kirk’s regular calls were noticeably absent, leading her to wonder if he was still away or had simply changed his plans. As the days went by without any contact, her concern grew; it was unusual for Kirk to miss even a single day, let alone an entire week. “Has anyone heard from Kirk?” Sarah inquired again one evening after her shift.
“Nope, not a word,” Mike, one of the delivery drivers, responded. “It’s odd, though. I was set to deliver to him last Tuesday, but he canceled just before I was about to leave.”
That Evening
That evening, as Sarah wrapped up her shift, a man entered the shop. His appearance was somewhat disheveled, his clothes rumpled as if he’d been wearing them for days. At first, Sarah mistook him for Kirk, but soon realized it was just a doppelgänger. “Can I help you?” she inquired, her concern evident.
As she served him, Sarah couldn’t shake the unsettling resemblance to Kirk. Her worry grew, particularly since Kirk had been a generous customer who tipped well, contributing an extra $100 to her weekly earnings. The man’s striking similarity to Kirk left her anxious, adding an unexpected layer to her routine.
Two Weeks Passed
Two weeks had gone by without a word from Kirk, and Sarah began to feel his absence keenly. The dip in sales was noticeable even to the manager, who relied on Kirk's consistent daily orders.
Sarah had always been able to set her watch by his regular calls, so his sudden silence was unusual. Initially, she wondered if he might be traveling or simply cooking at home, but as another week passed with no orders, a nagging worry grew that something might be amiss.
Still No News
The waitress was adamant. "Hey, have you guys heard from Kirk Donald this week?" Sarah asked her fellow waiters during a break.
"No, nothing," replied Jake, one of the delivery guys. "I thought it was odd, too. He never goes this long without his pizza fix." "Maybe he’s on a diet," another waiter joked, but Sarah wasn’t laughing. What happened to Kirk?
A Lost Customer
Sarah’s concern grew with each passing day. She knew Kirk wasn’t just a customer—he was a friend, in that casual, small-town way. He always asked about her day and knew the names of her kids. It wasn’t like him to just vanish without a word.
“That’s strange. Kirk never cancels,” Sarah muttered, more to herself than to Mike. An uneasy feeling settled in her stomach. She couldn’t shake the thought that something was wrong.
One Of The Good Ones
That night, as Sarah lay in bed, she couldn’t stop thinking about Kirk. He was a familiar part of her daily work life.
The image of his cheerful face kept flashing in her mind. She knew that it wasn’t really any of her business, but she was still concerned. She tossed and turned, unable to sleep. By morning, she had made up her mind. She was going to check on him.
Checking Up
After her shift ended the next day, Sarah drove to Kirk’s house. She told one of her waitress friends where she was going and to cover for her if need be.
As she drove, she had a tight knot in her stomach as though something was wrong. It was a short drive and she was there in ten minutes. It was a small, cozy place on a quiet street. The lawn was neatly trimmed, the flowers in the garden still blooming brightly. But something felt off. There was no sign of movement inside.
The Extra Mile
That afternoon, after her shift, Sarah decided she couldn’t wait any longer. She grabbed her coat and headed over to Kirk’s house, a modest one-story home on Oak Street.
As she approached the house, a sense of unease settled over her. The mail was still in the post box, which was unusual. Kirk always kept his yard neat. She knocked on the door, listening intently for any sounds from within. But she had no idea what she was about to see at Kirk's house.
Outside Kirk's House
The curious waitress kept knocking. A little louder each time. "Kirk? It’s Sarah from Domino’s!" she called out, but there was no response.
Maybe he was in the bathroom? Why was the TV on? He had to be somewhere inside the house. She knocked again, harder this time, but still, nothing. The only sound was the faint noise of a television playing somewhere inside.
Is Anybody Home
She knocked on the door again, waiting for Kirk’s familiar shuffle to answer. But there was only silence. She knocked again, louder this time, and then pressed her ear to the door. Faintly, she could hear the sound of a TV. It was on, but no one was watching it.
“Kirk?” she called out, her voice trembling slightly. “Kirk, are you in there?” Her heart was beating hard in her chest as she realized that something was amiss.
Knock Knock
Sarah tried the doorbell, which echoed hollowly through the house. When there was still no answer, she peered through the front window.
The TV was indeed on, but the curtains were drawn tightly, and she couldn’t see much. Worry gnawed at her. She called his name one more time before cautiously trying the door handle. To her surprise, it was unlocked. Should she go inside?
Who’s There
Sarah called out for him as she approached the front door. Still nothing. Panic began to claw at her chest. She tried the doorknob, and to her surprise, it turned easily. The door creaked open, revealing a scene that made her gasp.
"Hello?" she called as she slowly pushed the door open, stepping inside. The naïve girl had no idea what was waiting for her inside the house.
In The House
Sarah walked inside. The living room was in disarray. Empty Domino’s boxes were scattered across the floor, some stacked haphazardly on the coffee table.
A half-eaten pizza lay on the couch, the salami and olives still intact. Kirk was definitely there sometime recently. The TV was playing some old sitcom, the laughter track jarring in the eerie silence. But Kirk was nowhere to be seen.
Something Is Off
The first thing that hit her was the smell—a pungent mixture of stale pizza, garbage, and something else she couldn’t quite place. She wrinkled her nose as she ventured further into the house.
The living room was a mess, with Domino’s boxes scattered everywhere. The couch was in disarray, cushions tossed about as if someone had been searching for something—or maybe struggling. Papers were strewn across the floor, and a half-eaten pizza sat on the coffee table, the olives and salami dried up from being left out too long.
A Sight For Sore Eyes
The scared girl didn’t know if there was anybody else in the house. “Oh my God,” Sarah whispered, her hand flying to her mouth.
She tried to be brave. She stepped further into the house, her eyes darting around, searching for any sign of him. The kitchen was a mess—dirty dishes piled in the sink; the fridge door slightly ajar. It was as if Kirk had been interrupted in the middle of something and never returned.
Through The House
The house was still and silent. "Kirk?" she called again, her voice trembling now. There was no response, only the drone of the TV. Sarah’s heart pounded as she moved through the house, her footsteps muffled by the thick carpet.
Sarah was disgusted at Kirk's living condition. She walked into the hall and saw a few more pizza boxes on the table. It looked like Kirk had been here, but something had interrupted him. Something that made him leave in a hurry.
No Sign Of Him
She checked the bedroom, which was equally messy, but there was no sign of Kirk. Panic was starting to set in now.
She pulled out her phone and tried calling him, but the call went straight to voicemail. Why wasn’t he answering his phone? She left a shaky message, "Kirk, it’s Sarah. I’m at your house, and… I’m worried about you. Please call me back."
He Was There
Sarah returned to the living room and stood in the middle of the chaos, her mind racing. Where could he be? Why would he leave like this? Her eyes landed on a photograph on the wall—Kirk smiling broadly, holding up a Domino’s pizza box.
It was taken at some party; the kind Kirk was always the life of. But now, it felt like he had simply vanished into thin air. But she had no idea what part she played in the puzzle.
Looking For Clues
The anxious waitress tried to look for clues of what might have happened there. She noticed something on the floor near the couch, a small, shiny object.
Bending down, she picked it up. It was a key—possibly to a car. But Kirk’s car wasn’t in the driveway. Where was it? Sarah’s thoughts were interrupted by a sudden, loud creak from the floorboards behind her. She spun around, her heart in her throat, but no one was there.
Not My Scene
Sarah's mind was playing tricks on her. The strange house and scents were making her sick to her stomach.
She tried to compose herself. Her breathing quickened as she backed up against the wall, clutching the key in her hand. The house was eerily silent now, the TV droning on in the background. What had happened here? And where was Kirk?
The Right Thing To Do
Sarah’s thoughts spiraled. Should she call the police? But what would she tell them? That a regular customer hadn’t ordered pizza in two weeks?
It sounded ridiculous, but the state of the house told a different story. Something was seriously wrong. She held her cellphone in her hand thinking about what she was going to say. The last thing she wanted was to be implicated in this mess.
Calling For Help
Sarah pulled out her phone again, hesitating. Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe Kirk had just… what? Gone on a spontaneous trip and left his house like this? It didn’t make sense.
The uneasy feeling in her gut wouldn’t go away. She couldn’t just leave without doing something. She dialed 911, her hands shaking as she waited for the operator to answer. "911, what’s your emergency?"
The Message
"Hi, um, my name is Sarah Linden. I’m at a friend’s house, and… he’s not here. The house is a mess, like, really a mess, and I’m worried something’s happened to him." The operator’s calm voice was a stark contrast to Sarah’s rising panic. "Okay, ma’am, can you give me the address, and we’ll send someone to check it out?"
Sarah rattled off the address, her eyes darting around, she didn’t know what to do. But she had no idea how much worse things were about to get.
Come Quick
Sarah was starting to have a panic attack. She had to sit down and do her breathing routine to gain focus again. “Kirk!” she called out again, louder this time, but there was no answer. She felt a cold sweat break out on her forehead. Something was very wrong.
She pulled out her phone and dialed 911 with trembling fingers. “Hello? Yes, I’m at 1245 Oak Street. My friend… I think something’s happened to him. His house is a mess, and he’s not here. Please, send someone quickly.”
Out Of Control
The operator’s voice was calm, reassuring. “Stay where you are, ma’am. Officers are on their way. Are you in a safe location?”
“Yes, I’m inside the house. But… but I don’t feel safe,” Sarah admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. Suddenly Sarah was in a full-blown panic attack. She needed to know that help was on the way immediately.
Stay Safe
The 911 operator was kind enough to stay on the call with her until the dispatch team arrived. “Okay, ma’am, please step outside the house and wait for the authorities to arrive. Can you do that?”
Sarah nodded, though the operator couldn’t see her. “Yes, I’m going outside now.” She backed out of the house, her eyes still scanning the room, half-expecting Kirk to appear out of nowhere.
Not In Her Job Description
Once outside, she called her boss, her voice shaking. “Hey, it’s Sarah. I’m not coming back to work today. Something’s happened at Kirk’s house… I’m waiting for the police.”
“Jesus, Sarah. Are you okay?” her boss asked, his tone filled with concern. “I don’t know… I just… I found his house in a mess, but he’s not here. It’s like he vanished,” she replied, trying to steady her breathing.
Do What You Have To
Sarah was surprised that her boss was so understanding. It helped her to calm down and control the situation. “Stay safe, Sarah. I’ll cover your shift. Just let me know what happens, okay?” “Thanks,” she managed to say before hanging up.
The minutes stretched on, each one feeling like an eternity as she waited on the porch, eyes fixed on the door, hoping Kirk would suddenly appear and tell her it was all a big misunderstanding.
Help Arrives
Finally, the sound of sirens filled the air, and two police cars pulled up in front of the house. The officers quickly approached; their faces serious. “Are you the one who called 911?” one of them asked, and Sarah nodded.
“Yes, I’m Sarah Linden. Kirk’s a regular at the Domino’s where I work. He hasn’t ordered in two weeks, which is really unusual, so I came to check on him. But when I got here, the door was unlocked, and… well, you can see for yourself,” she explained, gesturing toward the open door.
Wait For Instruction
The officers exchanged a glance, then nodded. “Okay, ma’am. Please wait out here while we take a look inside.”
Sarah watched as they entered the house, their hands resting on their holsters. It looked like a scene out of a movie, and she was the main character. She wrapped her arms around herself, trying to keep the rising dread at bay. What could have happened to Kirk? Was he part of something more sinister? Where could he be?
More Information
A few minutes later, one of the officers came back out. “Ma’am, do you know if Mr. Donald had any family in the area? Anyone who might know where he could be?”
“No, he lived alone. I don’t think he had any close relatives nearby,” Sarah replied, her voice barely steady. The officer nodded thoughtfully. “We’re going to need to investigate further. We’ll need to contact his employer and see if anyone there has heard from him. In the meantime, I suggest you head home, ma’am. We’ll take it from here.”
Wait It Out
Sarah hesitated, not wanting to leave Kirk’s house, but knowing she was powerless to do more. “Okay, but please… if you find out anything, let me know. Kirk’s a good guy. I just hope he’s okay.” “We’ll do our best, ma’am. Thank you for calling this in,” the officer said before returning inside.
Another officer started taking a report from Sarah. The worried waitress gave them all the information she knew. There was nothing else she could do. She had to go back to work.
Back To Work
Sarah walked slowly to her car, her mind racing. What if something really bad had happened to Kirk? For the first time in her life, she felt that she could genuinely help somebody. But she didn’t know what else to do. It was in the authorities’ hands now.
As she drove away, she couldn’t shake the feeling that something terrible had happened to Kirk. The image of his empty, chaotic house was burned into her mind.
It’s Not Over
Later that night, Sarah lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, unable to sleep. The smell of Kirk's house was still in her nostrils.
Every creak of the house, every distant car alarm made her jump. She didn’t get a wink of sleep that night. She kept thinking of Kirk, wondering where he was, if he was okay, or if something more sinister had happened.
A Serious Call
The next morning, Sarah received a call from the police. “Ms. Linden, this is Officer Richards. We’ve been looking into Mr. Donald’s disappearance, but so far, we haven’t found any leads. There were no signs of a struggle in the house, no evidence of foul play. It’s like he just… vanished.”
Sarah’s heart sank. “What do you mean? People don’t just vanish.” She didn’t want to believe that Kirk's story was over. She questioned the officer about their leads and offered her help in any way she could. But she knew that it was a long shot.
We’ll Let You Know
The officer was getting impatient with her but answered all her questions.
“I know, ma’am, but right now, we have no explanation. We’re expanding our search, but it might take some time. If you remember anything else or hear from anyone who might know something, please contact us immediately.” “I will,” Sarah promised, though the words felt hollow. She hung up the phone, a heavy weight settling in her chest.
Lost Hope
Days turned into weeks, and still, there was no sign of Kirk. The police continued their search, but without any leads, their investigation stalled. Sarah went back to work, but everything felt different.
The familiar routine of taking orders, serving pizzas, and chatting with customers couldn’t distract her from the gnawing worry that something terrible had happened to Kirk. Every time the phone rang at Domino’s, Sarah’s heart skipped a beat, hoping it would be Kirk’s voice on the other end. But it never was.
Out Of The Blue
Then, one evening, as she was closing up the store, there was a late order. The unfamiliar man on the phone sounded rough and when he asked for extra salami and olives, Sarah realized something was up. The delivery address was for an apartment building a few blocks away.
Her hands trembled as she dialed the number, but the call went straight to voicemail. She tried again, but there was no answer. Panic surged through her. What was happening? Where was Kirk? How could she help him? Without thinking, she grabbed her coat and ran out the door, determined to find Kirk, no matter what it took. Something deep inside told her that time was running out.