Next came a surge of anger. What had happened with my parents? This was not the version of them I knew. Yet Maisie had no reason to lie. Her fear was real and palpable. I glanced back toward the direction of their house, anxiety and rage wrestling within me. I needed answers.
As I sat there, holding my children in the grass, a plan formed in my mind. First, I would get them inside, lock the doors, and call someone—anyone—who could help. My thoughts went to my husband, Tom, who was still at work. He needed to know what had happened. Then, I would call the police. Whatever had gone wrong today, it was beyond anything I could handle alone.
“Let’s go inside, sweeties,” I said gently, rising to my feet. I shifted Theo higher on my hip and helped Maisie stand, supporting her weight. She clung to my hand as if letting go would mean losing her footing entirely.
The walk back to the house felt like crossing a battlefield. Every rustle of leaves, every whisper of wind seemed charged with danger. I could feel Maisie’s anxiety radiating from her in waves, matching my own heartbeat, which thudded loudly in my ears.
Once inside, I locked the door with shaking fingers, double-checking each bolt. I set Theo down in his playpen, relieved when he stirred and opened his eyes, looking around the room with bleary confusion before settling back to sleep. His innocence was a small comfort; he didn’t understand the gravity of what had happened.
Maisie sat on the couch, hugging her knees to her chest. I sat beside her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. “You’re so brave, Maisie,” I said, kissing the top of her head. “I’m so proud of you.”
Her small voice broke through the quiet. “I was scared, Mommy.”
“I know, baby. But it’s over now. You did everything right.”
As I dialed Tom’s number, Maisie nestled closer, her trust in me a fragile, precious thing. I promised myself I would never let anyone harm them again. As the call connected, I steeled myself for the conversations and decisions to come. We would face this together, no matter what it took.