“News has arose of the recent disappearence of some Fioness High school seniors and teachers who vanished, YES I SAID VANISHED, Out of thin air, according to those who were traveling with them to Cavernborn high school. I am Karen, live to you for news, stay tuned for more and keep on watching on other days in case there are updates on the missing children and teachers. My condolences to the families of the lost and hopefully they all come back to us alive!” Said a reporter on the tv in the Oxbow household.
Mr and Mrs Oxbow watching in shocked horror at the news before them both sitting on a couch, the new was luckily aired on a sunday and Loran had gone out to play with his friends, not seeing the news or his parents’ panicked state.
It had been 2 days since Avery went to the school trip and the news of the disappearence is only being shared now.
“What are we going to do?!” screamed Mrs Oxbow, “i-i dont know” Mr Oxbow said, still frozen.
She looked at him in anger, “what do you mean you dont know?!, i told you i didn’t want her to go on this stupid trip anyway but you said ‘it’ll be fine’!
Now you dont know what to do?!!!” she screamed, “What do you want me to say Alice?!
Its not like keeping her in home all the time was gonna benefit her in the future!
Besides she was going to move out for college or something regardless next year!
We can’t coddle her and keep her under our protection forever she’s growing up!” yelled Mr Oxbow, panic in his eyes.
“So what?! We couldve had her longer anyway! Now we lost her. All because we allowed her to travel to that place!” her breath began to shorten a panic attack accumulating.
Mr Oxbow forcibly wrapped her with his arms and hugged her tightly while she struggled still scolding him and blaming him for convincing her to let their daughter go which led to her disappearence with the rest.
“What’s worse then being trafficked, my love?” asked Mr Oxbow, who regained his composure as much as he could in order to calm his wife down.
She looked up at him while in his warm embrace, tears streaming down her face.
“What if some psycho is raping them periodically or sells them as slaves or cuts of bits of skin to get off on it?” She started, “also….there’s the city’s new kidnapper who takes teenagers and-and-and!” She burst into tears leaning onto her husband for support while he held her tightly in his arms.
“Ill find her and ill fix this,Alice. Our daughter will be back home with us soon” Mr Oxbow said.
“Please, find our daughter, find our baby, Frank”
“I will, but please make sure Loran doesn’t know any of this, he needs stability and not that his sister is gone. The school holidays can at least be good for one family member” he said.
She pulled away and looked up at him in understanding,and nodded.
“Should we go to the police?” She asked.
“No, those men in blue won’t do much and even if they do manage to find her, she’ll probably be bones. Im going to do this myself, im going to find her” he said, holding his wife tightly, a fierce and angry look in his eyes.
“The police force could surprise you one day, and find the kids first” she said, trying to lighten the mood.
“Doubtful, I’ve seen first hand how they can let many who they could’ve saved down. They can do their job, ill search for my-…our daughter” he said.
……
[Next morning]
“What? Dad’s leaving?”
“Yes, Loran” his mom said.
Mr Oxbow was at the door putting on his shoes with a bag next to him while Mr Oxbow looked at her son with a smile as comforting as she felt possible.
“Because he has to work, he needs this job to support us, sweetie” his mother said with a smile.
“But mom! He’s barely even here and now he’s leaving?! The house is going to be so lonely with just the two of us” he pointed.
“Loran, don’t raise your voice to your mother!” Frank scolded.
Loran went quiet and muttered out an apology.
“Loran, you know your sister will be going to college soon, so things will be lonely there too.” She reassured.
“But it’ll be months before that happens, i have time to spend my days with her and all, and she’ll visit.” He started, “but dad is barely even here, yet…” his voice chocked up and he turned and ran up to his room, slamming the door loudly after him.
Both parents sighed, “am i really not around that much?” Frank asked his loving wife.
“Yes, but you do your best for us, one day Loran will understand” she walked up to him and gave him a short passionate kiss.
“Please come home soon” she said after their lips parted.
“I will and our daughter will be next to me” he gave her a quick peck on the cheek, took his bag and walked out the door.
To be continued…