The Fireflies

In the small town of Riverside, Virginia, there is a population of about 1200. And just as the community was rising, the vanishings began.

It was as if the town was being erased. Families no longer went out at night scared that they would be the next person to vanish. The doors were locked and the windows were bolted.

And the town went by this one unspoken rule: if you see the fireflies, you are to evacuate the area immediately.

A few months after the disappearances of Nate Bylers, Olivia Wyatt, William Jones, and India Diaz, the police set out a curfew for 6:00 pm.

Once it hit 6 0’ Clock, no one was to be out passed the initial time. The people of Riverside had no idea what happened if you were caught, all they knew was that if you went outside pass the curfew, you are never to be heard of again.

The new family that moved in, learned that lesson very soon.

The Rivera’s.

Izabell and Gabriel Rivera had two children. Louis Rivera and Inez Rivera. The family of four had moved from the bustling life of San Francisco to the small community of Riverside.

The parents felt like they needed a change and Riverside was unfortunately the next best option they felt was needed.

But the children, they were upset. They had their whole life in San Francisco but their parents made the abrupt decision to move. So can you imagine what two upset teenagers are going to do? They rebelled.

Once the family finally settled down in Riverside, the siblings snuck out past the curfew with their friends. They didn’t take it seriously, it was a joke to them.

Little did they know it was the worse decision of their lives.

“This curfew is a joke, nothing is happening.” Louis Rivera snickered before squishing his cigarette into the dirt.

“It’s not six yet, Louie.” Inez mumbled uncomfortably as she started at her watch, it was 5:58. Two minutes before it hit.

Although, she was mad at her parents, she was regretting on sneaking out with her brother and his friends. She wanted them to feel what she felt, upset. But her fear was starting to creep up on her.

The forest was dead silent. Nothing was heard except for the leaves that crunched under their foot.

“It doesn’t matter. Nothing is going to happen, Inez. You’re thinking about it too much.” Caleb Owen. A 17 year old boy who surrounded himself with alcohol and drugs. An escape from the small town that he lived in.

He hated Riverside, and the moment he turns 18, he swears that he would leave it behind. Nothing was there for him in this town.

“All I’m saying is—“

“Inez, can you just shut up for once?” Louis Rivera interrupted his sister. Annoyed with the constant blabbering that came out of her mouth.

“I’m sorry, but—“ This time, Inez cut herself off because of what was surrounding them.

A harsh wind blew the trio which made them trip and fall to the ground. The wind was unexpected and startled them.

Inez Rivera looked up in fear.

In between the trees, dark shadowy figures ran across. A taunting laugh echoing throughout the forest.

“ in the tree tops,

when the wind blows,

the cradle will rock

when the bough breaks,

the cradle will fall

and down will come baby,

An ominous voice sang out. Inez stared up at her brother through her tears, there was a heavy breathing on her shoulder.

— cradle and all. “

That was the last night Inez Ramirez was seen, and the last time anyone ever stayed in the town.