#florence ross

I need to find him. I need to find my brother. He doesn’t just disappear like this. He should’ve come home, it’s been five days now. Sure one day he might have been at Florence’s house or something, but five days? No one just disappears like that. 

I must find him. Someone has to know him, they gotta know where my baby brother went. I need to find him. 

Mom and dad called me, telling me they need me to bring their son home, and that’s what brothers do, we stick to our promises. I must find him. I need to know what happened to him. 

I refuse to believe he’s dead. He can’t be dead. Calling the cops does nothing in this situation, they will look for only a day or so and then give up. I don’t want to risk it. I know my brother better than they ever could. 

I got out of my car, faster than usual. I didn’t care at this point. I needed to find my brother. I pushed the heavy door to the Gent building open, looking around for anyone to talk to. 

Sure enough, Florence was there at her desk, she looked a bit sad. I didn’t blame her. She was fond of Clifford. 

“Florence!” I said her name as I approached her desk, slightly out of breath because I was in a rush. 

She looked up at me, her eyes were full of sadness, I knew she knew something happened to Clifford.

“Robert? What are you doing here?” She asked, her voice wasn’t cheerful like it usually was. 

“I need your help, I need to find Clifford. He’s missing.”

“Missing? Like actually missing?” She sounded surprised. 

“Yes! I need you to help me find him! You have to help me, Florence.” 

I looked at her with pleading eyes. 

“I can see what I can do. I can’t shake the feeling something bad happened to him. He hasn’t come into work in days.”

“Nor has he come home.” I replied, glancing over at the door briefly. 

“I can see if some of the workers know where he last was.”

I followed her, we went out into the back, the place was a lot different, something felt weird about the place. I don’t know what it was, I couldn’t shake the feeling of something creeping up my spine the entire time. 

Florence asked around, most employees shook their heads. None of them knew where he was. Some had no idea who he was either. 

I felt horrible. 

“I’ll be right back. I’m gonna ask some other employees around, come back tomorrow if I don’t come back sooner, alright?” Florence said. She held out her keycard. I decided to walk around. 

Perhaps he’d be working overtime or something? No that’s stupid. He would have to have came home. 

I wandered around the building, trying my best to ignore the strange looks I kept getting from other employees. I thought 

Then I thought I saw him in the hallway, his jet black hair just like it used to look, slightly messy and fluffy. He turned to face me, a blank expression.

“It’s too late.” was all he said before he vanished. I felt a chill run down my spine. What does that mean? This place is making me go crazy isn’t it?

I suddenly noticed a hard hat on the ground, ink was dripping from a pipe above. 

I grabbed the hard hat, flipping it over to find a picture of Clifford and I taped inside it. 

I looked around the area, the ink puddle on the floor, the tools scattered. Some of the ink looked like it was smeared across the floor. 

“No…no no no.” I muttered. I held the hard hat close to my chest. 

I had to go back, maybe I could find something at the front desk. I couldn’t stand in this room anymore. Something felt horribly wrong. Why was I seeing things? That ink…it was scaring me.

I got out of there with the hard hat. I had to leave this place. I don’t know why but I had to leave. My brother was gone, I couldn’t keep searching. It just lead me in circles. 

I returned to the entrance. On Florence’s desk, I noticed something. A note, it had Clifford’s number on it with a heart drawn beside it. I grabbed the note. I knew my brother wasn’t coming back.

I didn’t want to believe it was true, but it was. I gave up hope. I stared at the picture, running my thumb over Clifford’s face. 

“I’m so sorry, Cliff.” I muttered. I was suddenly startled by a man with a black coat walking in. He was well dressed, but something was weird about him. 

It was like I was looking at death itself almost. 

“Are you waiting for someone?” He asked. I shook my head.

“No. Do you know a man by the name of Clifford Conway? He’s my brother. He has been missing for five days. He worked here and was last seen here.”

The man shook his head. I didn’t know it at the time but this was no random man, it was Alan Gray, CEO of Gent. I hate him with a burning passion. 

He took my brother from me, I blame him for my brother’s disappearance. 

“No. I do not know a Clifford Conway. Have you checked with the secretary?” 

“I did. She went to go find some other employees to talk to. She said I could come back tomorrow if she wasn’t back soon.”

“I hope you find your brother.” The man replied. He didn’t sound concerned at all. I watched him walk away as if my brother’s disappearance was a common thing that happened to Gent employees. 

I clenched my jaw a little. I started walking towards the door, and then out to my car. Time just seemes to stop when you find out a loved one is gone. 

I don’t know how to describe the feeling. It’s like someone took part of you and never gave it back. 

I sat in my car, placing Clifford’s hard hat and the note in the back seat. I didn’t want to look at it. It hurt too much to do so. 

I looked out the window of the Gent building, the place gave me an uneasy feeling, I had never felt that feeling before when I went there to visit Clifford. 

Was I going mad? Is that why I kept seeing my brother everywhere? I don’t believe in ghosts, I am not superstitious either, but I remembered hearing that when a person you love dies that you are close to, sometimes you can hallucinate them being there. It probably is one of the many reasons why people believe in ghosts. 

I don’t know if that’s what I am experiencing but it scares me regardless. It feels like I am being haunted by something I could’ve prevented.

I started my car, hoping that maybe going for a drive would help. But when I turned around to back up, I saw Clifford in the backseat. He looked at me. 

I nearly jumped out of my skin. I rubbed my eyes and he was gone. That was probably the worst hallucination. 

I looked back at the back seat a few times. My heart was racing. I was panicking. I needed to drive, I need to call Cassidy. I needed to just get out of here. 

But I couldn’t move. I just broke down crying. I never felt like this before in my life. It was so scary. I was sad and panicking all at once. I knew it had to be a mental breakdown, but I never had one before so it was hard to tell. 

It was like a panic attack, but worse. 

I clutched the steering wheel tightly, trying to stop sobbing. Big brother’s don’t cry, we are supposed to be the tough ones, the strong ones who protect our siblings. But…I failed Clifford. 

I didn’t come to save him. Whatever happened to him, I will never know. I knew someone who would know this feeling, Cassidy. Her sister disappeared back in 46’. I don’t know what happened to her either. 

I knew I had to call her. It had started to rain, almost like the sky was crying with me.

I pulled out of the spot I parked, trying to focus as best I could on something other than my brother. I wiped the tears out of my eyes so I could see. 

Usually driving helped get my mind off of things, but I couldn’t stop thinking. My mind wouldn’t shut up. 

I was relived I reached the phone booth at last after driving for what felt like an eternity, however it was only a few minutes. 

I got out of my car, running into the phone booth so I didn’t get soaked. It’s not that I’d care, it’s just I need to get my emotions out.

Cassidy was always a good listener. She was a smart girl, unlike how some thought. Some thought she was just a boy crazy fool. But not my Cassie, she was much more than that. 

Maybe it was stupid of me to think about how much I loved her now, but I couldn’t help it. She made me feel better. 

I dialed her number, leaning against the wall of the booth, relieved when I heard her sweet voice on the other end.

“Hey, Cassie.” I said softly, I knew she could tell I had been crying by the sound of my voice. “A lot has happened. Do you mind if I tell you?”

“Of course. Robbie, are you okay? You sound like you’ve been crying.”

I went quiet, my heart ached in my chest. I took a deep breath, my breathing was far from steady. 

“My brother…he’s gone missing. I think something bad happened to him. I went to try and find him. I might come back tomorrow in case Florence, the secretary girl, knows anything new about his disappearance. I found his hard hat.” 

I heard Cassie gasp on the other end. 

“Oh my gosh! Robert! That’s horrible!”

“Cassie, please, don’t be upset. It’s going to be okay.” I don’t know why I was trying to comfort her, I just didn’t want her to be upset as I was. 

“Robbie, I know you don’t like me being upset, but I am! I loved your brother like family!” 

“I know you did…” I replied quietly. The rain seemed to be pouring down a lot harder now.

“Do you want to come over and talk to me about it? It might be easier.” 

“I’d love that.” I replied, feeling a sad smile on my lips. 

“I will be outside on the porch. Watching the rain is nice.” She replied, I could practically hear the smile in her voice. 

“I love you, Cassie.” 

I never told her that before. But I did love her, truly I did. I knew Clifford would’ve teased the hell out of me for saying that in a phone booth and not in person. 

She was quiet for a moment. I knew she had to process what I said.

“I love you, too, Robert. I really do!” 

“I know now isn’t really the best time to admit that, but I do.”

“Oh don’t feel bad about it. I don’t think Clifford would hate you for confessing your love after he’s gone. He’d be proud you finally said something.” 

I blinked back tears, swallowing my sorrows. 

“I should go. I’ll be there soon, alright?”

“Alright, I’ll see you soon, Robbie.” 

With that she hung up, I did the same. I felt hands shaking. So much happened. I got out of the phone booth, running back to my car. I got in, looking behind me to find only Clifford’s hard hat sitting there, along with the sticky note to Florence.

I was hesitant to start driving again. I didn’t know what to do. 

I eventually started driving again. I drove in silence, no radio on. I needed it to be quiet. The rain reminded me of the rainstorms my brother was afraid of when he was little. 

I’d always tell him to stop whining. I felt bad now for saying that. But I was just a kid too.

I reached Cassidy’s house. She was sitting alone on the porch. I got out of my car, running over to her. 

“I’m here!”

Cassidy smiled sympathetically. She hugged me, pulling me out of the rain. I just broke down crying in her arms. As much as I remained stoic and seemed tough, I wasn’t afraid to cry. It is part of being human. 

Cassidy put her arms around me, she held me tightly, nothing but pure love in her embrace. I felt slightly calmer with her. She understood exactly how I felt. 

“Oh Robert. It’s going to be okay.”

I let go of her, she wiped the tears from my eyes. 

“I don’t know what to do.”

Cassidy brushed her thumb across my cheek. 

“I know that feeling. When my sister died, I felt the same way. I was lost. You remember the nights I cried nonstop, right?”

I nodded slowly. 

“Of course. I felt so useless then. I couldn’t do anything to make you feel better.”

“I know. But you did so much for me. You took me out of the house, went on walks. It helped me not drown in sorrow.”

I was happy I helped, but still, I was too upset. 

“It’s okay to talk about your feelings. My mom always told me that. If you don’t open up you’ll just be sad all the time.”

She sat down on the dry step, staring out onto the street. I sat beside her. She put her hand on top of mine, I sighed heavily. It sounded nice to listen to the rain falling. 

“I just wonder if Charlie and Clifford’s deaths were connected. That ink stuff Charlie used to talk about was in the workshop too…” I said suddenly, I scraped my nails against the wood of the porch at the mention of the ink. It was for some reason scary to me. 

I was just ink. It was just ink. That’s what I had to keep telling myself. But something darker was happening under the surface.It had to be. 

“You might be onto something.” 

“But there is nothing we can do now…” I replied dimly.

“Oh but there is something we can do. We can remember them and let their memory live on.”

Cassidy squeezed my hand. I looked over at her slightly surprised. 

“I suppose you’re right. We can do that.”

She leaned against me more. I know this would not be easy to get over. I don’t think I’ll ever get over my brother. But Cassie and I understood each other, and we would stay alive for our siblings. 

It’s the least we can do.

BONUS BECAUSE I AM EVIL >:D

I hadn’t been able to go to sleep properly. Not tonight, my brain keeps thinking. But yet somehow I cannot tell if I fell asleep or not. It all feels the same. 

I had woken up, or maybe I didn’t. Everything felt like a dream at this point. Maybe that’s what it was. Maybe it was all a bad dream. 

I was back in my bed, it’s cold in the basement of my childhood home. 

There is a shadow at the end of the bed. Why is it staring at me? Why are its eyes yellow? Why does it look like him? 

“I’m so sorry, Clifford. I failed you.” I muttered into the dark. The shadow shook its head.

“No you didn’t. You didn’t fail me. Don’t blame yourself for my death.” 

I knew this wasn’t real. But it felt slightly better knowing I shouldn’t blame myself.

“This isn’t real, is it?” I asked. Clifford shook his head. 

“No. I’m not real. Can you promise me, if you ever have children, don’t let them work for Gent?”

I was going to ask why, but I didn’t.

“I won’t let them work there, I promise.”

“Good. Now wake up.” 

Sure enough after he told me to wake up, I did. I woke up in a cold sweat. 

I put my head in my hands and cried. Even if it was a dream, it felt somewhat real. 

It was some closure. 

Even if it wasn’t real. 

My children will never work for Gent. 

It was finally the day. Clifford was going to go on a date with Florence. His brother was over the moon to find out his baby brother was finally going on a date. 

“Oh, Cliff! My baby brother is finally all grown up.” He hugged him tightly, pretending to sob dramatically as he did so. Clifford rolled his eyes, shoving him off of him.

“Robbie! Quit it! I just put this suit on!” Clifford grumbled, wiggling his way out of his older brother’s grasp. 

“Oh come on Cliff! I’m just so happy you finally asked her out! That takes a lot of nerve!”

“I didn’t ask her out.” Clifford replied, straightening his tie. “She asked me. Bold of you to assume I asked first.”

He looked at him with his jaw hung open in shock. 

“Wow…”

“It’s not that shocking,” Clifford replied, half-focused on his brother standing behind him as he fixed his hair. “I am not the type to ask such things. You know my anxious self would never be able to ask such a question.”

“You look sharp! I never see you wear suits. You look like you could work in the office I work at!”

Clifford scoffed. “Like I’d want to work there! You just sit around all day. That’s not a job for me!”

“I do more than just sit around!” Robert pouted.

“I know. I’m kidding. I prefer more hands-on jobs. I always have and always will.” 

Clifford straightened his suit jacket. It was not the most comfortable thing to wear, but he wanted to look nice for his first date. 

He adjusted his glasses, staring at himself in the bathroom mirror. He looked pretty good, at least in his eyes he did, though he wasn’t often the type to pay much attention to his physical appearance unless deemed necessary.

He was often sweaty and covered in dirt and whatever else that got on him when he went to work. He was used to it. 

“Are you ready to go?” Robert asked as he leaned against the doorframe a bit.

“I think so…do I look good?”

Robert smiled, giving him a thumbs up. 

“Snappy as ever, Cliff!”

Clifford sighed in relief. He took one last glance at his face in the mirror before following his brother downstairs.

“You better not embarrass me when we get there, I will kill you if you do. This is important to me!” Clifford said suddenly, putting on his shoes, for once they were not work boots. 

It felt odd since he was so used to wearing them. But his dress shoes were much more comfortable than his work boots, that's for sure. 

“I promise Cliff, I won’t.” Robert didn’t exactly sound too convincing. 

“Robert, you better not embarrass him, please honey, cut him some slack, would you?” It was his mother’s voice from the kitchen. 

She walked out to find her two sons standing by the door, Clifford was just fixing his shoes when he stood up, looking over at his mother. 

“I won’t mom, I promise.” Robert replied, he sounded sincere now. Clifford shot him a glance of uncertainty. 

“Oh my boy, look at how handsome you look. You’re going to do great, I know you will.” She said softly, putting her hands on Clifford’s cheeks before kissing his forehead softly.

“Mooommm stoooppp ittt!” Clifford muttered. 

“You treat your girl right, understand? This date will be very important for you. Just be yourself and don’t panic. It may seem scary at first but I promise you, it’s okay to feel nervous.” She replied, putting her hands gently on his shoulders. Clifford nodded slowly. 

“I know, mom. I will be good, I promise.”

“Good. Have fun, darling!”

She smiled and watched the two boys head outside. She felt proud of them both. Her precious children were all grown up now. 

Robert climbed into his car first, then Clifford followed. He felt nervous already and they hadn’t even left yet. He knew he could just bail out of it right now, he still had time. But he didn’t want to. 

He was actually looking forward to this even if it terrified him.

His brother started up his car, giving him a look of reassurance.

“You’ll do great, buddy. I know you will.”

He patted him on the shoulder before backing out of the driveway. Clifford tried to smile but he couldn’t stop worrying now.

What if I screw up and she hates me forever? 

He swallowed nervously, he felt the butterflies in his stomach already as they got closer to their destination. 

His anxiety seemed to just get worse as they drove past numerous shops. He stared out the window, watching as a few people wandered the snow-covered streets. 

He didn’t hate the winter, it was beautiful at times, the glimmering of the snow on the pavement, the cold, crisp air against his cheeks. He found comfort in it sometimes. 

He could see his reflection through the car's glass window, he sighed, not realizing at first that they were just about there. 

Robert parked just outside the cafe, he glanced over at his brother, who happened to be still staring out the window. 

“Cliff, we’re here.” 

Clifford glanced back over at his brother, he seemed more anxious but at the same time excited in a way. 

“Already? That was fast.” 

Robert chuckled softly. 

“You got this, Clifford. I know you’ll do just fine.” He said confidently, patting him on the shoulder. 

Clifford took a deep breath before exhaling to calm his nerves. 

“Well…I guess I’ll see you sometime. Thanks, Robbie.”

“Of course! Now get on out there! Give it your all!”

Clifford opened the car door, getting out of the car, he was careful to watch for patches of ice on the sidewalk. 

He could see his breath in the cold air. His brother waved goodbye before backing his car up to drive off. 

Clifford wasn’t sure if Florence was here already. That added yet another concern for him to worry about. 

What if she doesn’t show up? 

He walked up to the front of the cafe, not entering just yet. He watched as a few streetcars drove past on the street. He was cold, but he didn’t care, he was just concerned that Florence forgot about him.

He decided to go inside after waiting a while. He sighed, walking into the cafe, the warmth of the room felt so pleasant. 

He glanced around the room, in case she’d be sitting at one of the tables. 

He couldn’t see her. He felt his heart sink. He was starting to regret this. He didn’t know what to do. 

But just when he thought he was forgotten about, he noticed Florence walk in just as he started to approach an empty table. 

“Clifford! Sorry, I made you wait!” She said as she walked towards him. 

“Oh! Florence! It’s quite alright.” He said softly, before he actually got a good look at her, he couldn’t help but stare. 

She looked stunning. He felt his jaw hang open as he looked her up and down, her dress was a nice light blue colour, it looked flowy and comfortable. She had done her hair so nicely too, it was pinned back a bit. 

He never saw her like this. 

“Goodness…you’re stunning, " he mumbled, feeling his cheeks getting warmer. Florence giggled. She looked up at him, then at his outfit. 

“Oh, you’re such a charmer! You look handsome in that suit. I like it on you, it’s a good look.”

Clifford blushed deeply at her comment. He cleared his throat.

 “Oh…why t-thank you…”

He sat down at the table in hopes that it would help tone down his blushing. Florence sat across from him, her chocolate brown eyes looking right at him. 

She looked so pretty, he couldn’t believe she wanted to go on a date with him. He felt like he was far too awkward for her, but she found that cute. 

“So…what do you want to order?” Clifford asked, glancing at the menu on the table. Florence wasn’t sure, she was just happy to be here. 

“I’ll probably get a hot chocolate or something. Maybe tea? I’ll have to see.” 

Clifford fiddled with his tie some more, he kept glancing over at her, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. She looked up at him, smiling softly. 

“What about you? What are you going to order?”

“I have no idea,” Clifford muttered. He tried to focus on the menu but he was still distracted by her. 

“This place is nice! I like hanging out with you! This is nice.” 

“It is,” Clifford replied. He sighed softly, he finally settled on something, peppermint hot chocolate.  “I’m probably going to get the peppermint hot chocolate they have, it sounds delicious.”

“Oh, that does sound nice! I might get the same thing, I wonder if it will have a candy cane or something fancy in it?” Florence replied, flipping through the menu. Clifford looked around the cafe, the soft chatter of other customers could be heard along with the clinking of glasses around the cozy cafe. It was nice to get out once in a while. 

“I would hope so, it seems fancy enough,” Clifford replied, glancing back over at Florence. 

“I heard Louise was going on a date with Hudson sometime!”

“Really? That’s nice. I’m happy for him. He deserves it after all he’s dealt with at the studio.”

A waiter suddenly came over to their table. He gave them a polite smile. 

“Hello there! What can I get you two today?”

“I’ll have your peppermint hot chocolate please,” Clifford said with a smile. 

“And for you miss?” The waiter asked, looking over at Florence now.

“I’ll have what he’s getting as well please.”

“Alright. Is that everything?”

“Yes,” Clifford replied, the waiter nodded, going off to get their order.

Clifford stared back at Florence, she smiled at him, she could tell by the look in his eyes he was head over heels. He blinked slowly, still staring at her, he fiddled with his hands on the table. 

“Clifford?” Florence said his name softly, causing him to snap out of his thoughts. He shook his head to snap back to reality. 

“S-Sorry, I um…I’m so sorry. I just…think you look so beautiful.”

“Oh, aren’t you sweet?” She replied, her cheeks were dusted pink ever so slightly. “I think you look dashing as ever.”

Now it was Clifford’s turn to blush, even if he was already blushing in the first place. 

“Oh thank you…” He mumbled, trying to hide his blushing face in the collar of his shirt. 

He heard Florence giggle, she placed her hand on his for a moment, and Clifford flinched. He stared at her with wide eyes then at her hand on top of his. Her hands were warm, and so soft too.  

She held his hand, it gave Clifford an unexplainable feeling. He couldn’t help but smile. 

The waiter appeared again with their drinks. 

“Here you two go! I hope you enjoy it.” 

“Thank you.” Florence and Clifford both said at the same time. They both chuckled as the waiter walked away. They hadn’t expected to say thank you at the same time. 

“That was funny, hey would you look at that? It has a candy cane in it!” Clifford exclaimed, pointing to the candy cane in the hot chocolate. It looked really tasty, with marshmallows and whipped cream on top, it even had candy cane pieces on top of the whipped cream!

Clifford noticed how excited Florence seemed about the hot chocolate. She was still holding his hand, which made Clifford smile softly. He took a sip of his hot chocolate, it was delicious. 

It wasn’t too hot to drink either. He was happy about that. 

“This tastes so good!” Clifford said, Florence took a sip of hers, nodding in agreement.

“It does! Thanks so much for agreeing to come here with me!” 

“Anytime. I was just surprised you’d ask me out.” Clifford replied with a nervous chuckle. 

“Oh Cliff, you know I really like you. Don’t be negative about yourself.” Florence replied gently. 

“I know you do…I just didn’t think any girl would like me like me like that…I’m too awkward.”

He glanced down at his lap in shame. He felt Florence brush her thumb against his knuckles carefully. 

“Clifford…no. You’re not too awkward. You are such a handsome and adorable man, and you have such a good heart, so many girls would want to date a man like that!” 

Clifford felt his whole face turn red. He looked back up at her. She didn’t laugh at him, she just smiled warmly. She drank more of her hot chocolate, and Clifford drank more of his too. He had almost forgotten about it because he was so occupied talking to Florence. 

“Gee…Florence…I’m so flattered…I never heard someone say that about me.”

Clifford was blushing a lot. The waiter came back over with their bill. 

“Hello! Here’s your bill. Which one of you will be paying?” He asked. Clifford pulled out his wallet. 

“I am, for the both of us.”

“That will be 2 cents.” 

Clifford handed the waiter his money. He and Florence finished their hot chocolate. 

…

Once they were done, they got up, pushing in their chairs. 

Clifford held the door open for Florence, she smiled at him warmly. 

“Thank you, Clifford.”

They exited out into the cold winter air. Snow was starting to fall. Florence grabbed Clifford’s hand, her hands were still warm. 

“That was lovely. Thank you again.”

Florence giggled, leaning over to give Clifford a kiss on his freckled cheek. He turned bright red at the sensation of her lips on his cheek.

“You’re welcome, Clifford.” She replied, giggling at his red face. Clifford couldn’t fight the smile on his face, even as he noticed Robert had arrived to pick him up. 

Robert got out of his car, chuckling at his brother’s blushing face. 

“You guys must be cold. Clifford, what happened to you?”

Clifford just smiled, he looked over at Florence who kissed his cheek again. Clifford was somehow even more embarrassed. He couldn’t help but laugh. His brother was trying to contain his laughter.

“Alright, you two lovebirds. Get back in the car, I don’t want you two freezing to death.” 

“Mind if I come back with you guys?” Florence asked. 

“Of course, that’s the plan. You can meet the family!” Robert replied. 

As Clifford let Florence in the car first, he sat in the front seat beside his brother. He felt a lot better about this whole dating thing now.