Preface Note – This is a work of fiction; blame everything on ChatGPT Plus, version 4; Grammarly, which I highly recommend, made over 13 suggested changes and other corrections, but these were not enacted.  Royalty-Free image from my Envato Elements Subscription.

by Luc Tremblay

June 9, 2023

QUEBEC – The small town of Val-d’Or has been struck by a nightmarish scenario – five local children have disappeared under chilling circumstances, their last known activity was their stories of an alleged ‘creature’ lurking in the nearby forest. Now, the discovery of unearthly remains in that same forest has escalated the fear and mystery surrounding the children’s disappearance.

The missing children, all between the ages of 10 and 12, vanished four days ago. Parents of the missing children report that their children, previously inseparable friends, had been sharing stories of an ‘alien creature’ they had encountered in the forest.

“We didn’t take them seriously. It was just kids and their wild imaginations, or so we thought,” said Louise Beauchamp, mother of one of the missing children, with tears in her eyes. “Now, we don’t know what to think.”

The local law enforcement, already stretched thin due to the ongoing global crises, have been working tirelessly to locate the children. Their efforts were intensified when military units, including specialists accustomed to the current unprecedented events, arrived in town.

“We’re doing everything we can,” stated Val-d’Or Police Chief Marcel Dupont. “The military’s involvement will only strengthen our efforts.”

A glimmer of eerie evidence emerged yesterday when search teams discovered the partially consumed remains of an unknown entity deep within the forest. The entity does not match any known species, its odd number of limbs, unusual skeletal structure, and alien physiology have baffled local authorities.

Dr. Nicole Léveillé, a renowned pathologist flown in to examine the remains, described them as ‘utterly alien’. “This creature exhibits traits never before seen on Earth. Multiple hearts, metallic-like skin, and an entirely different respiratory system. It’s incredible, and incredibly terrifying,” stated Dr. Léveillé.

Mayor François Bertrand addressed the town last night, “Our top priority is finding our missing children. We have engaged all available resources, and I assure you, we will not rest until we find them.”

Meanwhile, the residents of Val-d’Or are living a nightmare. The small town has been thrust into a global spotlight that nobody wanted, and they are now grappling with fears of the unknown.

“We just want our children back,” pleaded Charles Thibault, father of another missing child. “We need answers. We need action.”

As the hunt for the missing children continues, the grim discovery has added an otherworldly twist to the mystery, and has the residents of Val-d’Or questioning what kind of world we’re living in where children can vanish, and alien entities can be discovered in their backyard.

As humanity contends with extraterrestrial invasions, demonic entities, and colossal sea monsters, the people of Val-d’Or face their own local horror – the unknown fate of five children, the innocence of small-town life forever tainted by the dark specter of the uncanny.