The other day, I got a call saying my father had disappeared from the family home. He was the kind of man who never contributed money and only came back when he felt like it, so I didn't think much of it. When I got that call, I figured he'd just show up again eventually. But several days passed without his return, and calling his phone only resulted in a 'This number is no longer in service' recording. Just as I was wondering what happened, the doorbell rang.

I opened the door with a casual 'Coming!' only to be met with a black wall. Well, not a wall, but a person who looked like one. In contrast to my startled reaction, the man was smiling pleasantly.