Dumb and Dumber

     It all started on April 27, near Atlanta, Georgia. That's when a 19-year-old lad named Aftab Aslam disappeared. His parents were worried sick! They had received a text message earlier that day from a cell phone that they did not recognize. It was a simple message... their son had been kidnapped, and, "do not call the police or he will be killed." But one thing was unclear. What did the kidnappers want?
     His parents did not know what to do. They eventually did call the police, and the police started to put the pieces together. All Mr. and Mrs. Aslam could do was wait in fear for their son's safety. Days went by and Aftab was still missing. No one knew where he was or how he had been kidnapped. Questions stayed unanswered.
     Finally on May 5, after 8 agonizing days, he was found. Well, really he just showed up. What had happened? Was he okay? Did he recognize the kidnappers? Now the questions could be answered, right? Well, not really. He said that he had been drugged, held prisoner, and somehow got away, but he did not know who the kidnappers were. He was wet, cold, and needed some nourishment, but at least he was safe. A terrifying story had ended on a good note. It was time to celebrate! Bring him a robe and kill the fatted calf...
     Not so fast. The police were suspicious and puzzled. And the police, you know, are good puzzle solvers. The cell phone was traced back to the store where it was sold. And who bought it? Aftab Aslam! Okay, young man, what really happened? He reluctantly told the police that he made up the whole thing. He camped out in the woods somewhere until the weather turned cold and rainy. Then he just returned home.
     His parents who at first had been relieved, were now upset. "Why? Why did you do this? Why did you put us through that?!" Well, he had a very good explanation. He had failed his college English class. What..? You see, this was the second time that he had failed the same class. What else could he do? Seems logical enough - "I know... I'll fake my own kidnapping!" He didn't want his parents upset!
     On a more serious note, he was arrested shortly after this, being charged with making a false report, and tampering with evidence, among other charges. Now he is being held in the Fulton County Jail, without bail. It seems that failing his English class is the least of his worries... and the least of his parents' frustrations.

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