Case #E-1012

words by Elaine Ruan, art by Riese Carlson

Eira’s Mother

10/15/2025 Diary

Eira hasn’t been back for three days. The police say an adult can’t be reported missing until after 72 hours. But my daughter, she would never just leave without a word or a message. 

On her desk sits her favorite cup of tea, stone cold now. While tidying her room, I found her bracelet under her pillow. She got it on her sixteenth birthday from her friend and always wears it. The edge is a bit worn down. I held it in my hand, and I felt like it still carried her breath. 

The police asked if she’d been acting strangely, and I couldn’t really answer…… She’s always busy with her research work. 

She’s thirty now, but still my little girl - bright, cheerful, like sunlight on snow. She wouldn’t just vanish; she doesn’t even have a boyfriend. I’ve always asked her to send me a message, no matter where she goes. She’s not like that.

10/17/2025 Diary 

I keep looking at the bracelet. It resembles a snowflake or some intricate shape. Tiny filaments branching into smaller ones; when the light hits it, faint reflections scatter across the wall like bits of frost. 

Eira once said the bracelet resembles her, as her name means “snow” in Welsh. She loves winter; she loves the feeling of snow. She would never leave her bracelet. 

Please reply to my message, Eira.

Please.

Colleague Emilia

10/18/2025 Email

From: emilia.ea@psychlabs.org

To: Research Team - Dr. Eira Division

Subject: Status Update for Dr. Eira

Hi everyone, 

As you’ve probably heard, Dr. Eira didn’t show up to give her updates at the conference for two weeks. She’s never been irresponsible, so this absence was unexpected and has left many of us concerned.

When I went by her office, it felt…weirdly cold. Just a few pages of notes left on the desk, nothing else. The police checked her computer and stated that all her files were encrypted, making them difficult to access. 

They are asking if anyone might know more about what she was working on, or if she mentioned anything unusual. If you remember something, even a small detail, please let me know. It could really help, and I’d be grateful.

Emilia 

Ex-Boyfriend Oliver

10/19/2025 Police call (partial)

“Yes, I know that bracelet. Actually, I gave it to her. 

Her family may think it was from her friend, but it wasn’t. We were seeing each other back then, though she didn’t want her family to know.

The last time I saw her was two weeks ago. She came to my place, very calm. She said, “If I disappear, don’t look for me.” I didn’t really think much about it; I just thought she meant our relationship.

She left behind a book, with one page folded and a few lines underlined. You should check it.”

Barista Sophia

10/20/2025 Police interview (partial)

“Of course, I remember her. She often came alone, but always had a big smile on her face. She always orders a cup of black tea and stays for hours working on her computer.

Sometimes, she would stare at her bracelet. Once I asked about it, and she said her friend gave it to her as a birthday gift. While she said this, she continued to rub it.

Yesterday, while cleaning up, I found a napkin where she had drawn shapes and scribbled some words like family names, half-erased. I gave it to the police.”

Younger Sister Hanna

10/22/2025 Voicemail  

“Sis, where are you? Mom’s going crazy, and Dad……Dad also rushed back. He regrets having the argument with you.

That bracelet wasn’t from your best friend; it was from me! I bought it at the science museum for your sixteenth birthday. 

We had a conflict the day before your birthday, so I felt too embarrassed to give you the birthday gift. I asked your best friend to give it to you instead.

I always thought you knew this, that you knew it was really from me, but maybe you never did. Maybe that’s why you kept it so close all these years. 

Please, just contact me, even one word. Wherever you are, I love you.” 

Report from the police

11/5/2025 Case #E-1012 Dr. Eira’s Disappearance

Two weeks of investigation found no evidence. The subject most likely left voluntarily. 

No bank activity since 10/12/2025. Last phone signal pinged near the north station. What’s odd is that everyone described the bracelet differently. But it is confirmed that the bracelet is a gift from her younger sister, not from her ex-boyfriend or her best friend. 

Case suspended, needing new evidence.

Flower Shop

04/05/2026  Owner of the flower shop

“I just met a girl today who came in asking about work at the flower shop. She said she could work every day, twenty-four seven, if needed, as long as she could have a place to sleep somewhere nearby.

She’s very slim, quiet, with this kind of calm grace. Spoke perfect French, soft southern accent. Said her name was Claire.

She told me she didn’t have any real experience arranging flowers, but she’d worked in service before.

She wore a light dress, nothing fancy, but I noticed her wrists. Pale, too pale, and there was a faint pattern across one of them, like frost. I thought it might be a scar, but when the sunlight hit, it shimmered for just a second.

She only asked for one condition: if she could have her break in the winter, when it snows.

 She said she doesn’t like to see it fall anymore.”