The moment the assembly ended, the murmurs erupted again, louder this time. “Do you think that was about him?” A student asked. “It has to be.” Another wondered, “Why won’t they just tell us where he is?” And that’s when they all were starting to think the same thing: “Maybe they can’t.”
Some said they’d called his house and no one picked up. Some said his mom was seen crying in the parking lot of a grocery store. Someone swore one of the officers carried a missing-persons folder. Nothing was confirmed, but confirmation wasn’t needed. Suspense thrives in silence.