Vrayboro might seem like a quaint town nestled in the Piney Woods of eastern Texas—a community with charm and tranquility.
But that peace was soon shattered on a fateful day in the fall of 201. It all began when three teenagers—Sebastian Ward, Mary Bell, and Fred McCarthy—vanished without a trace. One after another, the three teens were reported missing—nowhere to be found.
What began as a routine day soon spiraled into a nightmare that no one would have expected—plunging the town into a whirlwind of fear, confusion, and suspicion.
Sebastian Ward was the kind of young man. At 17, he was the embodiment of promise—handsome, athletic, intelligent, and kind-hearted. He excelled academically, was a star athlete, and dedicated his time to volunteering for local charities. His parents, Anita and Ken Ward were affluent and respected members of the community who lived in an elegant, three-story home that reflected their success and stability.
When Sebastian didn’t come home after school, his absence came like a 440-watt shock. It wasn’t unusual for him to stay out late with friends, but not coming home by sunrise and failing to contact his parents was entirely out of context. Anita, frantic with worry, contacted the local police by mid-morning. Officers Grant and Fellows, experienced and methodical, arrived at the Ward residence to begin the investigation.
As the police interviewed Anita and Ken, the gravity of the situation became more apparent. Anita sobbed uncontrollably as Ken paced, describing Sebastian as a responsible and devoted son who would never intentionally cause concern or distress.
However, when the officer asked about potential conflicts or troubling behavior, Ken’s responses became defensive, even dismissive. His remarks about Sebastian’s friends revealed underlying biases that Officer Fellows, who was African American, silently noted but chose not to confront at the moment. Could this just be frustration, or is there something Ken and Anita do not want the authorities to know? This added complexity to the already delicate situation.
Sebastian’s disappearance was not the only alarming thing. The parents of Mary Bell and Fred McCarthy also reported their children missing. Mary was 16, known for her independent streak, and had often stayed at friends’ houses without much notice. However, her failure to call her parents, Pamela and David Bell, was unprecedented. Fred, also 16, was the quieter of the three but equally loved by his family. His younger brother, Simon, was particularly insistent that something was wrong and urged their parents to contact the police.
The Bells, both teachers, were frustrated but more composed. Their concerns were compounded by the ongoing struggles of their younger daughter, Megan, who battled anorexia and bulimia. The McCarthys, a working-class family, displayed a mix of apathy and quiet worry, with Fred’s father, Tim, struggling with personal issues that complicated the family dynamic.
Anita and Ken Ward were adamant that Sebastian would never voluntarily disappear, while the Bells and McCarthys entertained the possibility, albeit reluctantly, that their children might have acted impulsively.
As the officers pieced together the puzzling equation of the three teens, they found themselves grappling with more questions. Could the three teens have organized a prank? Or they might simply run off together? Was there a more sinister force at play? And, if they were really kidnapped, who was behind it?
As the first day of the investigation drew to a close, the town of Vrayboro was gripped by unease. The serene streets and dense surrounding forests, once sources of pride and beauty, now seemed ominous and dreaded—where there were no clues and traces of the three teens who vanished without a trace or sign. The close-knit community, where everyone knew each other, had suddenly become a place of whispered suspicions and mounting dread—which would only lead to more suspicion and thrill.
With that, the disappearance of Sebastian, Mary, and Fred marked the beginning of a chilling mystery that would unravel the fabric of Vrayboro. What secrets lay hidden within the lives of these families? Who or what was responsible for the teens’ disappearance?
As the story progressed, it became clear that the answers would be far more disturbing than anyone could have predicted—ones that only you could solve if you read the entire novel Three Kidnapped, Three Siblings, Three Furies.
Get your copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DPXW76DV.