Fae - 14/Oct/2354–14:41:25st
"Fae, there's a call for you." David, the receptionist, said over her intercom. "It's on line 4a."
"Thank you," Fae said. She picked up the earpiece and stuck it in before taping the screen to accept the call.
"Ms. Thorne?" a woman asked.
"This is she."
"Do you know where your son Nathan is?"
A pit settled in the bottom of her stomach. "He's at school." I saw him to his classroom this morning and he went right in. Right?
"He never came back from lunch," the woman replied.
Fae glanced at the clock. It's three o'clock. "But doesn't lunch end at one?"
"Yes, Ms. Thorne."
"Why didn't you call sooner?" She clutched the edge of her desk, her voice rising with each ticking second. Janice looked around the edge of the wall, eyebrows nearly hidden in her hair.
"We thought you took him for lunch," the woman said calmly.
How can she stay calm? My child is missing and has been for two hours. "I never take my children to lunch."
There was no reply.
Tell me you're wrong. Tell me you have people working on it. Say something. Fae slammed her hand down on her desk and tried to ignore Hilary's face at the door.
"What have you done to locate him?" Fae asked.
"We called the marshals. We'll let you know if we learn anything else."
"Wait," Fae said but the phone line was already dead.
"What's wrong?" Hilary asked, stepping into the office.
I can't just sit here. Not with Nathan missing.
Fae locked her computer down and grabbed her coat. "Nathan's missing."
Janice pulled Hilary out of the way as Fae ran out of her office.
"What do you need us to do?" Janice called after her.
"Let me know if anyone calls about it."
As Fae jogged through the foyer, David half stood at his desk.
"Fae, what's wrong?"
"I'm taking the rest of the afternoon off," Fae called as she ran through the glass doors.
It was still raining outside.
Of course, my umbrella is still in my office. It will take too long to go back and get it. I have to find Nathan.
She ran down the sidewalks towards the school. From there she would try and determine where Nathan had wandered off. A marshal stood at the school gates. His black and blue uniform repelled the water and he held an umbrella in one hand. The gates were closed. She tried to walk up to the gates but he held out a hand to stop her.
"Sorry, the school is under lockdown."
"What do you mean?" Fae snapped pushing her wet hair out of her face. "My son is missing. I have to find him." Lockdown? What is going on? Where is my son.
The phone in her pocket vibrated. She pulled it out.
"Yes?"
"Fae, this is Janice. The school called. They said that Caitlin is missing. She excused herself to go to the bathroom and never came back to class."
"Thank you, Janice," Fae gushed. "Did they say anything else?"
"No, they were pretty tight lipped because I wasn't a parent. They only told me as much as they did because they thought I was you at first. Can I do anything to help?"
"No," Fae said, breaking into a sob. "Just let me know if they call again." Fae put the phone back in her pocket and bit her lip. Caitlin too?
The marshal regarded her silently.
"Please. I need to get in there. My children are missing."
"I already told you, ma'am. The school is under lockdown."
"Why? What's going on?"
The marshal didn't answer. The rain continued to fall and mix with her tears.
"Please," she begged. The marshal didn't reply.
Another ran up to the school and grabbed the gate, pulling and tugging at it. The marshal disengaged the man's hands and made him step back.
"You have to let me in," the man said, holding his coat over his head. "My son is missing."
Fae rubbed at her eyes with a soggy coat sleeve as the man explained he'd received a call at work saying his son hadn't returned from lunch. The marshal replied with the same answers Fae had received.
His children are missing too? How did three children go missing?
"This is unacceptable," the man said. "Let me in!"
Another marshal came out of the school and stood on the other side of the gate.
"Please remain calm. There is nothing to worry about."
Nothing to worry about? There are dozens of children missing.
"Let me in," the man said.
Fae stood to the side and shivered as the rain continued its torrential downpour. More people ran up to the gate. Some tried to sneak past but every time one of the marshals saw them and barred the way. She tried calling the school but no one picked up. The rain bore into her with each passing minute. A few of the parents trail away as the time stretched out.
It's almost four, how long are they going to keep us out here in the rain?
A radio bleeped.
"Let them in."
The marshals moved aside as the parents rushed to the school through the gates. The principal waited just inside the front doors.
Why didn't he come out to talk to us? What is going on?
He raised a hand to quiet the cries of disgruntled parents. Fae stood at the back as the other people pushed forward. She glanced around and saw a few more marshals standing around the edge of the entry way.
"Your children are fine," the principal said. "This was only a test."
Test? You have got to be kidding me.
The pit in Fae's stomach was replaced with a slow burning sensation. The man who'd arrived shortly after stood at the front of the crowd he clenched his fists.
"What do you mean a test?"
"We needed to make sure you, as parents, are able to provide for your children."
"Krite," the man swore. "Are you back on the whole single parent shtick again?"
Single parent? What does that have to do with anything?
A few of the other parents murmured in agreement.
"Calm yourselves, we are just worried about your children."
"Because I'm divorced, my child isn't getting enough attention? Is that it?" The man continued.
"We have reasonable concerns," the principal said. "Of the forty-two disjointed households, only a dozen of you are here."
"You called me out of work for this?" A woman demanded. "I'll lose my job."
"Precisely the reason why we are concerned. How, as single parents, do you expect to care for your children's education?"
Because I'm a single parent? That has nothing to do with anything. I am just glad they are safe. Fae shook her head and blew out a breath. They are safe, right?
The principal continued, "This test shows you precisely what it means to be a single parent. Perhaps, some of you should consider your child's future over your own."
"What are you suggesting?" the man asked.
"We have information for you to look over and consider. If you have any questions, please feel free to call the provided number."
Fae absently took hold of the bag handed to her. The parents, many still grumbling walked out of the building. Only she and the man remained. He was looking through the information, scowling about something.
Where are my children? How do I know they are safe?
Fae moved forward, "May I see my children please."
"They are perfectly fine," the principal said.
"I understand," Fae replied, "but I would still like to see them." You nearly gave me a heart attack. I am not leaving until I see them.
"Ms. Thorne, your children are safe here."
"She wants to see her kids," the man said. "And so would I. If you're going to call me away from work with the claim that they're missing, I'm not leaving until I make sure."
Thank you. If I had Matt or William here he wouldn't have said no.
"If that is what you want," the principal replied. "Please follow me."
"I know where their classes are," Fae said quickly. I don't like him. I don't want him around.
"They're not in their classrooms. There is a school wide assembly. Please try to stay out of sight. We don't want to excite anyone. "
Fae followed the principal to the large auditorium. They had to stay in the door and look at the backs of all the children. A speaker stood at the front in front of a large screen. Fae scanned the back of all the children and finally located her two children sitting with their respective classes. Nathan stared at his shoes as he moved his legs up and down. Caitlin rocked back and forth on her chair, looking everywhere but at the speaker.
"What is this?" the man asked his attention focused completely on the speaker.
Fae followed his direction and watched as the young woman continued.
"Families consist of two parents. Those children who do not have such a luxury will be hindered in life and will not have the same opportunities as other children. Yet it is important to remember that those students with only one parent are not to be looked down upon."
What is going on?
"As you can see," the principal said, ushering them away from the door. "Your children are quite safe."
"What are you teaching them?" The man asked.
"Studies have shown children raised in a two parent home have better success Mr, Peterson. Ms. Thorne, I'm sure you understand. Your own children exhibit classic educational difficulties because there is no father figure."
If William were here, that would be different. Fae remained where she was, the bag still clutched tightly in her hand. But it shouldn't matter whether William or Matthew is here or not.
"Enough of this. I'm pulling Jimmy out."
"Wait, Mr. Peterson. I insist you stop."
Mr. Peterson marched through the door, "Jimmy, come on, we're going home!"
A young boy, a few years older than Caitlin, stood up from his chair. He waved good bye to the other students and ran to his dad.
"Mr. Peterson, this is entirely unnecessary. If you would just meet with me in my office, I'm sure—"
"I've heard enough of your krite," Mr. Peterson said.
Do I have the courage? I can't provide them the attention they need.
They walked out of the building. The principal huffed. He turned towards Fae with a pained expression. She didn't say anything as she walked out of the school. It was still raining but she walked to the nearby café. After she was seated, she looked through the pamphlets in the bag they'd handed her. They were all about placing children for adoption.
They're trying to take my children. This is unacceptable.