It took a long while before anything was done about the disappearances. At first, the people noticed nothing and went on with their business as usual, concerned only with their own lives, their own jobs, their own friends and family. Then they began to notice that something was missing. Those who recognized what it was began to form the questions in their minds. But still, it took a few more days before the questions were voiced.

Such a slow reaction rate was common in the southern states. Cities in Europe noticed within the first week. And in Canada, some people noticed immediately while others refused to care. But most importantly, it took the world a full month to realize that each city was asking the same question.

Where are all the homeless people?

Not all of them had vanished, but a good many had. Detectives, policemen, concerned citizens, they all tried to see a pattern in the disappearances. Answers began to trickle in.

"I'd never seen 'em before in my life," grumbled Billy. "But he knew my name."

The police officer nodded. "And what did he want?"

"He wanted me to stand up."

"Is that it?"

"Yes."

"And did you?"

"No. I told 'em I'd bloody well sit here all day! He ain't gonna tell me what to do."

Officer Martin gave Billy a careful look. Then he jotted a few notes on a pad of paper. "What did he look like?"

"He was wearing a black jacket. And he had short brown hair."

"How tall was he?"

"I dunno. Medium."

"Medium?" Martin turned away and gave the passing pedestrians a look of helplessness. He'd been put on this case, originally, because he'd had nothing else to do. Now that the case was discovered to be global, it was a very pressing issue. Martin was going to be forced to perform and work hard. He sighed. Maybe one of those fine detectives in the big city would crack the case today. Then Martin could finally go on the vacation he'd been planning since February.

Martin turned back to the man. "Well I suppose this is something to be noted. It seems like the same man was here as was in Toronto. It all links together. Rather exciting." Martin gave his notepad a bored stare, thanked the man, and returned to his police cruiser.

Strapping his seatbelt on, he suddenly noticed a yellow sticky note on his dash that had not previously been there. Reading it with wide eyes, he realized that he now had far more responsibility than he'd ever wanted. The case may be global, but it was calling personally to him.

The Homeless are no longer Homeless. Now they are Neophytes of the New Order. They have been awoken.

Martin stared.

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