LITTLE KATIE LOST

A high school girls mother doesn't show up to pick her up after school and things just keep getting worse after that.

     Katie looked around. It was a stormy afternoon and the rain was pouring down, pounding the pavement and her too. She looked down at the raindrops as they splattered on the sidewalk at her feet, already creating puddles. She sighed. Across the street the high school parking lot was almost empty. Most students having drove, taken the school bus or walked home. Everyone except herself. Her mom was supposed to have picked her up by now. They always met across the street from the school where her mom could just pull up to the curb and Katie jump in. It was easier that way for her mom than pulling into the school parking lot to pick her up when all the students were busy trying to drive out of the parking lot.

     What's keeping mom so long? Another worried glance at her wrist watch told Katie her mom was a half hour late. And Katie was worried. Her mom was never this late. Katie would have walked home but her high school was much too far from home for her to do that. Never. God! Did mom have an accident? Is she in some hospital somewhere and no one's contacted me. Or maybe she's reached the hospital in the last half hour. Pacing back and forth on the sidewalk Katie debated on whether to go back into the school and call home to see if her mom was home and just forgot she had to pick up Katie, very unlikely, or call her dad at work to see if he knew where mom was. If I leave and she comes along and finds I'm not here will she be mad? Na she's late, she won't be mad. She'll understand and know I went back to school to use the school phone to call her or dad. Katie finally decided to do just that, go to the school and use one of their phones. Too bad mom won't let me take my cell phone to school, I wouldn't have to leave our waiting spot to find a phone. This will be a good argument for me to be able to take my cell phone to school!

     Katie tried not to worry as she darted across the rain wet street and headed for the walkway that led to the school's main entrance. There was no one in the hall as she entered but she could hear voices coming from the school's office as she neared it. She was certain they'd let her use their phone to call her dad at his work. She figured that was the best route, calling her dad rather than calling her mom's cell. If there was a problem with her mom he'd know about it, tell her what it was and come get her himself.

     When Katie walked into the office the school secretary looked up. The school nurse and girl's gym teacher were also in the office. They looked surprised to see her. Katie knew she probably looked a bit of a mess after standing in the downpour as long as she did.

     “Katie Wilson, is it?” the secretary asked.

     “Yes.”

     “Is something wrong Katie?” the gym teacher asked.

     “My mom never showed to pick me up. I was wondering if I could use the phone to call my dad at work. I don't have a cell phone on me.”

     “Of course.” the secretary placed her phone up on the desk. “Dial 9 to get out.”

    “Okay. Thanks.” Katie smiled and pushed the 9 key then pushed the keys to dial her dad's work number.

     The phone rang and rang. Waiting Katie felt the first stirrings of fear developing. Why isn't dad answering? Where is he? He should be at work. Where is mom? Why didn't she pick me up? Slowly, with a shaky hand, Katie put the receiver back in its cradle. She was starting to feel fear. Where were her parents?

    “No answer, dear?” The secretary asked.

    Katie shook her head no.

    The gym teacher came around the counter to stand beside Katie. “Why don't you come into the back here.”

    “Good idea.” Agreed the secretary as she put the phone back to its proper place.

    “Okay.” Katie followed the gym teacher into the back of the office where there were several little rooms that were empty of anyone at the moment. The gym teacher led her into one. There were a couple straight back and very uncomfortable chairs and a desk with a phone on it and a pencil holder containing one worn looking pencil and two cheap black ink pens and a yellow legal size pad of lined paper.

    “I'll be right back.” the gym teacher said.

     Katie sat in one of the uncomfortable chairs without saying anything. Her mind was in turmoil. Where were her parents? Why wasn't her dad at work? Why hadn't her mom picked her up like every other afternoon after school? I'm scared, really scared something awful has happened.

    The gym teacher came back in with a file in her hand and sat down at the desk. She looked at Katie and saw how worried she looked. “The secretary is trying to get a hold of your parents. She will also call your emergency contact. That is your uncle, right?”

    Katie nodded. “Uncle Frank.”

    “Yes, Frank Wilson. Your dad's brother?”

    “That's right.” Katie fought back a sob threatening to escape. She wanted to stay in control, fought to stay in control. Everything is alright. There's nothing wrong with my parents. Something just came up. It's just a coincidence that they both are not where they should be at the same time.

    “You have a younger brother...em...”

    Katie looked up and saw the gym teacher had a folder opened and was looking at it. Obviously it was her file. “My little brother goes to the Rock Creek Elementary School. He's in the 8^th grade. Jason Wilson.”

     “Yes. How does he usually get home?”

     “He walks. The school is only a few blocks from our house.”

     “Is he home alone then for a while?”

     “No. Actually he goes to a friends house for about an hour then comes home. Mom and I are always home by then.” She fought the sob again as she felt it rising. Was her brother alright? He would be heading home by now. Katie felt panic rising up in her now. “I'm concerned for him. He might be in danger. Who knows what's going on!”

     “Okay.” The gym teacher picked up the phone, pushed a button and after a short pause started talking. “Katie has a younger brother who is scheduled to be home about now. Can you have the police go out to the house? I'm concerned there is a serious problem going on.” A pause. “Good. I'll let Katie know.” She hung up the phone.

     Katie waited, not breathing, for the gym teacher to tell her what ever it was she needed to know.

     “Katie. Your Uncle Frank is on his way here to pick you up.” She looked kindly at Katie, showing only concern and sympathy. “A police officer is on the way to your house right now to pick up Jason and bring him back here. Your both going home with your Uncle.”

     Katie gasped in fear. A dull roar started in her head. Jason and I are both going home with Uncle Frank? What of our parents? What's happened to them? This can only mean trouble! “What's happened to my parents? What do you know!” Katie could hear the hysteria in her own voice but she couldn't help it. “Are they dead!?”

     “You wait here until your Uncle arrives. He can tell you what's going on. Can I get you anything?” The gym teacher asked.

     “No. No.” Katie whispered.

     “Your Uncle should be here real soon. He was close by when we got a hold of him. I'm sorry Katie. I really am.” The gym teacher left the little office with the closed file in her hand.

     Katie sat in the little office and fought back fearful sobs. What would Jason think when the cops showed up at the house? He'd be terrified. How long until Uncle Frank gets here? What would he tell her? Mom and dad had died in an accident of some kind? Why would they be together today? Dad worked and mom was supposed to pick her up after school like always. Where were they? What's going on?

     “Hi sweetie.” Uncle Frank was standing in the open door of the little office.

     With a little scream Katie flew out of the uncomfortable chair and into his arms. “What's going on Uncle Frank? Where's mom and dad? What's happened to them?”

     Uncle Frank held Katie tightly in his arms. “I'm sorry sweetie. I really am. You and Jason are going to be staying with me awhile. The police have already picked up Jason. He's on his way here right now and once he's here we're all going home to my place.”

     Katie pulled back to look up at him with mounting fear and horror! She knew now something terrible had happened to her parents, something really really terrible.

Reviews

[Coyote Poetry]

You have create a situation and allow the readers to feel her concern and worry. I like the the flow of the story. Allowing the reader to feel her pain and knowing something had bad happen. No weakness in this short story. Thank you for a excellent story.
Coyote

[Calypso]

Crazy. You write some amazing stuff!

[KAREN]

Baravo! I need more, please!!!!!!

[KATHY SUE SILLS]

Great intense story that I enjoyed reading, I hope you have a part two!

[Black Cat Fever]

Very well done! Tension mounts and captures the reader to the end. It left wondering what did happen to her parents. I wouldn't mind reading more!

[Sheila Kline]

Your words bring to light every parent's nightmare, and causes me to twinge with the pain I feel for her! Anticipation is overwhelming, and climactic!
Well done my friend!

[Wolf's Dark Song]

Wow, very spooky! What school kid hasn't had these nightmares at one time or another. Here the nightmare became reality. We are left wondering what happened to her parents?

[Marie Harrison]

What a great story, I wanted it to continue. What will happen next?

[PyroKitty24]

Oh wow. What a beautiful story. I could feel the fear. When i was younger, I had nightmares about being left at school with no way to get home. I hate that it just ended like that though! I wanted to know what happened! Darn!
Funny, this brings up another memory as to where I had actually just been forgotten when I was supposed to be picked up from school. Luckily I had a cell phone on me.

[Star Wolf]

Awesome story! I could feel her fear mounting. I'm thinking her parents went off someone to enjoy being alone and perhaps had a horrible car accident. More to the story would be wonderful!