THE VANISHING

"Today is April 31," I say with a gulp. "What should I get for Dahlia?"

Bruno looks at me, I can see it in his eyes, he's tired that we are going back to this topic.

"Dante," he says with a frown, placing his palm over his brow. "This is the final time I am telling you this. Tell your wife, what's wrong with that?"

"Hell no! She'll think I'm some incompetent parent. That I don't know anything about my daughter."

"How many years has it been before you've seen each other? And now because you've denied another suggestion, what do you want me to do about it."

"I don't know just give me any other thing that can help."

He's in frustration now. "No way! We all wanna go home, just wear your blazer and let's get outta here."

He takes his black and striped gold blazer and heads for the door, I try to stop him, I know he knows another solution but he waves me away. What a friend he is.

I sigh and place my hand on the table behind me, my hand makes contact with a two-year-old photo. I glimpse it. It's me, Emily and Dahlia. Dahlia is at the center while the both of us have placed her on our shoulders. We're all smiling as exuberant like we won the prize of a lifetime. She was three at the time, so chubby and cute. She looks just like her mother. I can't believe it's the day. I mean, I am glad that I will get to see them on her birthday but I don't know what to gift her. She must have outgrown the things that she liked and if I do get her something, she may not like it. She's turning five today, what do five-year-old girls like these days? April 31st... there is something about this date. It makes up my worst and best day.

I button my blazer, the epaulettes wiggle on my shoulder, and wear my peaked cap. Dahlia will get something eventually but right now, I have plane to land.

***

"This is your captain, Dante Lucas Obinna, speaking," I talk via the Public Address System. "We are now approaching Cava City International Airport. The local time is 10:25 A.M., please remain seated with your seatbelt fastened until the 'Fasten Seat belt' sign is turned off. And on behalf of Dreamline Airlines and the entire crew, thank you for flying with us today."

I turn to the Air Traffic Control who provide the formal landing clearance. I confirm a visual landing and make the touchdown. We arrive safely. I respire in relief and high five Bruno, just another day in our lives. With everyone gone, we do the standard "secure cockpit checklist." Luckily nobody left something, the last time wasn't as pretty for any of us. Everything is set and we finally disembark. I can't hold the joy and eagerness that I have, I want to see them both.

"Don't go messing yourself up Dante," Bruno tells me, we're by the arrival hall. "Just buy something that all of you will love. That's my final advice for you. If that doesn't help, I don't know what will."

He spots his three sons and wife; a vibrant smile curves on his lips. They wave at him and can no longer wait. I would want to greet them but I have to stay until I see my own kin. He looks at me.

"Don't mess it up ese," he pats my shoulder and leaves. He holds his youngest and lifts him to his shoulders. His wife smooches his cheek. I can't help but smile. We're glad we have such warm families.

After a while I see them. Dahlia wants to run to me but Emily keeps her close. I laugh and head towards them. Just like Bruno, I lift Dahlia close to my chest and hug Emily by the side.

"Daddy," she calls. "I missed you."

"I missed you too bun. You know what day it is?"

She nods, no way she can forget. "Mm Hmm, what did you get me?"

I shake my head. "Nuh- uh, that's a secret."

I glance Emily, she's about to tear. It's been so long since we last saw each other. It's only probable she would feel like that. We head outside, the Mercedes-Benz E-class is parked by the side. Still in pristine condition like the day I bought it, must be Emily's courtesy. She takes the driver seat while Dahlia doesn't want to leave me alone. I hug her closer and enter the co-driver seat.

"Where did you go this time Daddy?" Dahlia asks.

"I went to a lot of places honey. I'm not sure you want to hear them all."

"I want to. Tell me," she pleads.

"D." Emily speaks. "Come on, give daddy a break. He is very tired right now. When we get home you can ask him about anything alright."

"Uh... don't worry, I can tell her anything right now," I reply.

Dahlia makes an expression that spells victory. "Yeah mommy, he's okay. He wants to tell me everything."

Emily sighs and starts the car, she drives off. I tell Dahlia everything in a way she can understand. I think I go a bit overboard at some point since she yawns and sleeps on my chest. Wouldn't have expected anything less. I brush her soft hair with my hand as she snores so peacefully.

"I knew this would happen," Emily says. "She woke up early knowing that you're coming home today. She really missed you."

I continue brushing. " I can tell."

She clears her throat and shifts the gear. "I... I missed you too you know."

I chuckle then place my palm on her hand. "I know."

I yawn, the urge is kicking me but I don't want to. I'm still unsure what Dahlia wants, I need to stay alert and think about it. I can't risk sleeping. I yawn louder, gathering Emily's attention.

"Just sleep you dolt!" she says.

"No... I'm okay," I persist.

She shakes her head. "You do realize you will sooner or later."

She's right. My eyes betray me and before I know it, I'm gone.

***

A loud horn is blaring to our direction. It's from a truck but why is it so loud. I open my eyes, the sunlight attempts to blind me. I cover them using my hands. The other lane is free, why isn't the driver turning to that direction. But it looks like they are in the right lane. If that's true, why is Emily on the wrong one?

"Emi, move to the oth-"

Huh... are my eyes playing tricks on me? The steering wheel moves aimlessly with no one in control. She's nowhere to be seen! Now that I feel it, no one is close to my body. I look at myself. Dahlia, she not here as well! What in the world?

The horn blares louder; I need to take action. I turn the wheel but it's too late. We make contact; I'm the one in peril. The car tumbles out of the road and rolls like five times until it stops. The car has closed in on itself a bit. As a result, shards contact my skin and certain parts ooze blood, luckily not as much. My knees though? They hurt like hell. I unfasten my seat belt and get out. The state of the car is beyond measure. What is happening. I swear the both of them were by my side so where... where are they?

I yelp on the sound of an explosion. A gust of wind pummels my face. I see that the truck I collided with and another vehicle are in flames. By the looks of it, no one is inside which doesn't make sense. Who hit the horn then? No passers by close in, I guess I'm the only one.

That's until a jeep swerves past it and rushes to the side of the city. I'm too late to request for help. I check the car again. Nothing, no traces of them are in here. No clothes, no purse, just... nothing.

I stagger behind and place my hands on my head. Where are they? Did they just vanish out of thin air? That's not possible, it can't be. But if it is... why today? It's her damn birthday. I didn't even get the chance to celebrate with her. It's been so long since I came back and now this happens to me? I can't hold my feelings, tears fall across my cheeks. Why today?

***

I finally reach the city. I don't know how many miles I have been limping but I'm glad I got to it. The city sounds more vibrant than the road. I can hear chants and faint sounds in the distance. So the jeep wasn't some cheap illusion and it means I'm not the only one who survived whatever is going on. They sound like riots, not a good sign. Right now there is one thing that I need to do. Reach somewhere I can rest and get some water. All this trekking has left me perched. But I wonder if I will get to anything with how it looks like a ghost town. Home is out of the question, I 'm way too far away.

I glance upwards, the sunset increases the rate my tears want to form. Dahlia and Emily. Where are you guys? I wipe them, it's painful but I have to stay strong. I have to find water, that's what matters now.

I limp and check my surroundings, the riots must have started in this part of the city. That's to consider the broken windows and items looted from the shops. Even though they are gone, as far as I can tell, it's not safe to hang around here. The wind whistles by and I feel I'm going to fall at any moment. I can't, I shouldn't. Just press on.

I stride and stand next to a petrol station. Like many, it has a store. It's in an okay condition. I can do with it. I open the door, no soul and lights in sight. Fortunately, there's bottled water at a fridge directly in front of me. That's nice. I take one and uncap it like I'm going to die any second. I drink it all in under a minute then toss it away. I lean on its door and drag myself down to the floor. What is going on? It's hard to process anything yet. What I know is that people are gone, left without a trace, like Emily and Dahlia. And there are select people who are still out there, like myself.

So... what now? There is no way I can live like this. I know what I want to do. I will get them back, I don't know how but I will. And nobody will stop me from finding them. I promise I will fix everything but right now, I'm tired. Not everyday you land a plane then a couple of hours later people disappear. Tomorrow has its own thing coming so I should gather my strength and get ready to embark on my new mission.

At least I have one thing to remember them with. I remove the photo from my pocket and clutch like it's my final breath. 'I will find you guys.'

I turn the photo and look behind it. There's text on it and what I read jogs my memory. Does April have 31 days? I mean if someone was so powerful to change my perception of dates, it would make sense but there's no way. And it's not me alone, everyone else, they acted like it was just another normal day.

Call me crazy but I am sure that is the day she was born. It is on April 31st. Think logically, if I am sure that it's her birthday but April has thirty days, what would that mean? And if it is the 31st that make people disappear, what is the cause? And after all this time, why do I realize this? And the main question, is her birth date the problem or worse, is she the one responsible for all of this? I can't shake off the feeling, but whatever is going on, it is tied to my daughter.

The questions ramming my head make me drowsier. I drift off to sleep.