Holes in The History of The Universe

3: Laura

When Samual's mother arrived at her son's school that afternoon, she was, without a doubt to even the most socially unaware, pissed, making every staff member who saw her silently swear and hope for the best. Yes, a school's worst nightmare is when a child vanishes without a trace, or even with a story or explanation which made sense, and yes, they could sympathize with her, but they knew that adding an angry parent into the mix usually just made an already severe problem far more stressful to those involved.

She marched through the school like a kamikaze pilot entering their plane, stepping briskly to the police officers gathered around the office,who were jotting down notes as the principal explained the situation. She was worried, of course, but a large part of her assumed that Samual had simply decided to run off and hide behind the school or something of the sort as a joke, in fact, she was already using half her focus to think of a suitable punishment. It seemed that ever since he began socializing with those two boys, his behavior had regressed beyond her control, and even before that he had been an angry, energetic child. No matter how much she told him to consider widening his scope, he simply wouldn't listen.

The principal waved to her as she passed, as though she weren't already about to talk to him. Without interrupting the conversation, she nodded and sat down in the chair outside his office, where she listened to the facts of the case, most of which she already knew. A moment later, both parties motioned her in.

"I won't bother with the basics because I'm sure the secretary already told you over the phone," the principal said.

"Yes," Laura responded frantically, "he did."

He glared into his office through one of the odd indoor windows that all schools seem to have, where both of Samual's clique members sat with their parents. "I did interview some of the teachers and students, they seemed oftly... excited during pickup, so naturally I felt that was the best place to start. I'm afraid that most, both student and teacher, didn't give a coherent answer, and those that did said that he literally vanished into thin air."

"I see," nodded Laura "what do the police think?"

The officer behind the principal stood up just a little bit straighter, "we don't know yet, nothing was found at the crime scene which we can easily indicate as his, except for his backpack, which we doubt can be used for much, considering the circumstances. I'm afraid all we can do right now, Mrs. O'Dally, is wait."

Laura curled her fists, she wanted to yell out in anger, but had no idea what she would yell about, so to compensate, she nodded, and mustered a nervous smile, "Is there anything else you need me for?"

"No, Mrs O'Dally, just go home, we'll give you a phone call if something happens."

Laura wouldn't have been surprised to learn that the screams and groans through closed teeth she had made in the car could be heard all over the road, for not doing anything has always been against a parent's instincts, whether it be the week's laundry, or something far more severe.