The Family Disappeared On New Year’s Eve

“What secondary number?”

I was stunned.

I only had one number.

Jesse picked up the tablet from the table and handed it to me.

On WhatsApp, the account named “Humdrum” was clearly logged in.

I was its only contact.

The chat history showed only a few unanswered calls that I had made to it.

My legs completely gave out, and I collapsed to the floor.

Cold sweat broke out on my back.

Seeing me like this, Jesse quickly poured me a glass of warm water.

“Lulu, what’s wrong?”

Under his worried gaze, I recounted the strange events of the evening in detail.

The more he listened, the more he frowned.

I could not help but force a bitter smile.

“You’re not going to tell me I’m an orphan too, are you?”

To my surprise, he earnestly took my hand and shook his head.

“Of course not. You’ve always had a loving family.

“We literally just met each other’s parents last month to talk about our engagement, remember?

“I still have the photos from that day saved on my phone.”

He opened his photo album.

Sure enough, there was a group photo of our two families together. Everyone was there.

I just sat there staring at my phone, flipping it over and over.

I tried to smile, but I probably looked like I was grimacing.

My family members were real. Why did they vanish after entering the washroom?

“Maybe they just stepped out for something.

“Look, their house slippers are still by the door. They must’ve gone out.”

I followed his gaze toward the entryway.

Three pairs of slippers sat there neatly arranged. My heart finally settled.

I finally felt relieved.

“But Kat said...”

I opened Kathy’s chatbox again.

She had sent me two voice messages.

“Ha! Luna, did I freak you out with that phone call earlier?

“I was playing Truth or Dare!”

Jesse stood up.

“See? I told you so.

“Your neighbor had probably misunderstood it, too. Don’t worry.”

I finally managed a genuine smile through my tears.

But in the next second, Jesse headed straight for the washroom.

“I’ve been driving for hours. I need to use the washroom.”

His words made my nerves snap taut again.

I immediately blocked his path.

“No! You can’t go in there!”

Jesse was stunned for a moment, then he gave me a resigned yet gentle reassurance.

“Babe, I thought we just figured out it was a misunderstanding?

“I really have to go. How about you come check the washroom out with me?”

After hesitating for a few seconds, I nodded.

I genuinely wanted to know if something was wrong with that washroom.

When I opened the door, it was spotless.

Everything was brightly lit and totally unexceptional.

I tapped around all four walls. Even the window was barred up.

Jesse looked like he really needed to use it.

He said exaggeratedly, “For crying out loud, can I please use the washroom now?”

Before I could answer, he pushed me out and slammed the door shut.

My heart pounded wildly.

I paced back and forth anxiously as I called out to him every few seconds.

He patiently replied each time, never getting annoyed.

After calling his name dozens of times and hearing his voice every single time, I let out a long sigh of relief.

I was probably just overthinking things.

When my parents finally came back, I was definitely going to give them an earful for vanishing just like that.

When I heard Jesse flush the toilet, I stared at the door, waiting for him to come out.

Then, the sound of rushing water faded.

The light went out with a snap, plunging everything into darkness.

But no one came out.