Missing

by Ruth Anna Evans

Ben is a five-year-old boy who likes playing with Hot Wheels and wearing his fast blue shoes. But he knows there's something not right about the cleaning lady. When his toys start going missing, he tries to tell his parents that Miss Jean is taking them, but they don't believe him. And then it's too late.

Genres: Horror

25 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 22, 2022

About the author

Ruth Anna Evans is a writer of short horror fiction who lives in the heart of all that is sinister: the American Midwest. She has been composing prose of all types since childhood but finds something truly delightful in putting her nightmares on the page. Her stories are full of twists and turns with relatable protagonists and startling endings. If you like Grady Hendrix and Ira Levin, you'll like Ruth Anna Evans. Follow Ruth Anna on Twitter @ruthannaevans for updates on her work.

Reviews

[Peter · Rating 4 out of 5]

At first Ben is missing some of his toys. What is Miss Jean's role? She's their cleaning woman. Things turn eerie when Ben finds himself in another room. What happened here? Will someone come to rescue this 5-year old boy? Extremely thrilling fast paced story here. An urban legend kind of story that might come true quicker than you think. Marvelous. Not to be missed. Highly recommended!

[Dan McKeon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Missing is filled with tension and fright. It’s every parent’s worst nightmare. I found myself enthralled with the story and it’s writing style. I would definitely read more from this author.

[Paul Preston · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very impactful. MISSING may be just a short story, but it had me feeling all the emotions. Curious and tense to start, knowing that things were going to escalate, and by the end, I was tearing up. I am glad that I have another of Ruth Anna Evans’ books that I can jump into.

[Kristina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I beta read this and then reread it--enjoyed it both times. This is a good quick thriller with a sprinkle of horror. As a mother, it horrified me to even remotely put myself in the parents' situation. The mini twists were surprising and not predictable.

I look forward to reading more of Ruth's stuff.

[Jessie Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

So creepy & skin crawling good!

This is one of those short stories you keep saying nope…nope…and trying to look away because it hurts, but you can’t stop turning the pages. I’ve read it twice and it gave me creepy skin crawly feels both times. Ruth Anna Evans doesn’t just write scary stories, she makes you feel scared. It’s the perfect length, I couldn’t handle more. Intense but good!

[Paddie · Rating 5 out of 5]

For a short horror book, this really creeped me out. Ruth packages a lot of emotions and fears into a short 25 pages.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

When his parents hire a housekeeper 5 year old Ben begins to notice that his favorite toys and comfort items start to disappear. Just as his parents begin to believe him the worst of all nightmares begins. What if the scariest of all monsters is right under your nose? I raced right through this page turner.

[Angelique Jordonna · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do to escape?

When crazy people plot out ways to get what they want and then go through with it... It's the children who suffer the most. A quick horrific read. Of course, the scariest tales always involve children.

Always be careful who you let into your life, not everyone has good intentions.

[Mary-Ann Maronski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tense, tightly written horror story about a young boy (5 year old Ben) who is kidnapped by the cleaning lady, and the horrific events he is forced to endure.

[Rachel M · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was not expecting this story, just shows some cleaners can’t be trusted 😂 this is a great quick read suspenseful and you almost forget one part until the very end!

[Jeff Wait · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great short story

This story is terrifying, devastating and suspenseful. It tapped into my childhood paranoia with Ben reminding me of myself as a kid. I enjoyed this one and would read more of this author’s work.

[haze_books · Rating 5 out of 5]

absolutely brilliant for a short story this kept me hooked from page one definitely realistic and creepy. the realistic nature of the story made it so much more interesting and intense

[Kerry Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another creepy book by this Author.
Had me hooked from the first sentence and definitely got weird and freaky vibes from the cleaner.
A brutal, intense short story

[Serenity · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read! Sad, but good.

[CYIReadBooks (Claire) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as scary as I would have liked.

[Milt Theo · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit rushed. A quick read, very predictable, about a boy losing his toys and a nasty house cleaner with an agenda. The ending felt like the punchline of a joke.