Where did they go? Chpt 1

Instructions

First: here :) Previous: none hah Next: https://scratch.mit.edu/projects/1385594815 TW for swears and implied (kinda...) ded people A group of 9 kids and 3 chaperones left on an easter egg hunt on April 6th 2011. A fun game to get the Easter holiday started. They went into the woods, hoping to find the candy filled eggs the parents had left before. None of them returned. It's been 15 years, and the case has gone cold. There were leads in the first few years. A torn piece of fabric on the ground, a strand of hair caught on a tree, a lost shoe. All led to nothing. Eventually the fame died down, the news had different stories, reporters stopped loitering at doors, the police stopped searching, the parents grieved, they all gave up. But Joel couldn't. His friends went on that hunt, they disappeared into those trees. He was too young to understand they weren't coming back. He was on holiday to see his cousins that week so had stayed home, his mother had sat him down the next day and told him that he wouldn't get to play with his friends anymore. “But why not? Do they not like me?” “No dear they just cant play” “But I wanna play..!” “Im sorry” Joel had cried for days, refusing to come out of his room. His mum tried to make him feel better, he could tell, but he was too inconsolable. So fifteen years later, when every other detective quit, Joel kept the case open, went over the clues so much Ihe could say them in his sleep. But Joel was tired, so tired. He was ready to stop, just give up, take another case. Until Pearl Moon almost burst down his door. · · ─ ·✶· ─ · · “Blummin heck, who are you?” “Pearl” the brunette sparrow hybrid does not seem fazed, even though she almost broke his door, it was expensive to… stupid bird lady. Her name rings a small bell in the back of Joels head, where had he heard that name… Another woman rushes through the door, carrying a small child, who is playing with her long curly orange hair, wrapping the strands around her antlers. She looks at Joel apologetically and shuffles over to stand next to Pearl. “Theres more of you?” “Yes. anyways, are you the guy that had the case of that easter egg hunt 15 years ago?” Pearl asked. “Yes, why?” “My brothers were 2 of the kids that went missing, Grian and Jimmy Solidarity-Moon” Ohh, that's why she sounded familiar, Jimmy and Grians sister. Joels two closest friends before they f-cking disappeared. “-you know them?” Pearl continued talking as Joel zoned out. “I think they might have known someone like you, you were on holiday.” “Mhm” “Are you even listening?” “No” “Youve been talking for 5 minutes straight Pearl, no wonder he zoned out” the ginger says and nudges Pearl's shoulder. “Maybe you should get to the point of why we’re here.” “Oh, well, I want to help you find them” “We want to help,” the other adds. The small girl perks up from her shoulder. “Do i getta help..?” she mumbles. “Of course dear, of course you can,” the ginger smiles. The girl is content and leans into the deer hybrid. “Wait, how would you help? There hasn't been any leads since 2013 " Joel shake his head, and looks back at his notes. “Well… I know a lot of people who knew the kids and chaperones, we could talk to them…!” Pearl scratches her head and tilts it to the side. “Hmm… fine, meet me at the Bannerfall tomorrow, 3’clock, don't be late.” Joel waves his hand. Bidding them farewell. The strange duo look at each other, before turning to leave, thanking Joel for my time. After they left, Joel spent an hour pondering. Why had it taken so long to talk to him? Where has Pearl been all these years? Would he be able to finally close this case, letting my friends rest peacefully or even - unlikely - find them and bring them home? Many questions to think of…