Sedona

Packed Lunch

(Y/N)'s POV

The news played in the background with some of the usual commotion of Annie and Thomas playing together. My attention was divided between the TV and the kids as I swept up the living room. Loud laughter poured into the room like a waterfall; Annie found whatever Thomas was doing funny.

"Forks News: we have an incident report." A woman's voice came from the TV set. It snapped my attention over to it. Dread trickled in; I expected the worst possible thing to have happened.

"Local fishermen have suffered a fatal animal attack. Two men were found on their boat at the dock this morning at 8 am." The news anchor's voice droned in the background as photos of the boating dock appeared on screen. A video followed of the bodies being moved on stretchers in body bags.

My heart dropped from my chest at the news. I felt sorry for the families of the two men and fear. Fear wrapped around my heart like chains to an anchor, sinking it down. A cold chill climbed up my spine at the idea of a local animal being capable of that.

"The animal responsible is yet to be known." The woman continued on to talk about the weather after that with the help of a coworker. She brushed it off like it was nothing special and moved on to the next section.

My body stayed still, staring at the screen. I could still hear Annie and Thomas playing in the next room. The incident report frightened me for the next minute or two.

With two small children, I worried already about them being out of my sight outside. But this strengthed my fear to an unbreakable point; I will never let them out of my sight outside of the house or Daycare.

I doubt I would have much of a chance with an animal like that alone, but I didn't want to find out what two small children's chances are by themselves with an animal that took out two grown men.

"Thomas, Annie?" I called out to them, hearing faint replies. "I'll make some lunch in a minute! Do you two want anything?"

"Juice!" Thomas called out excitedly.

"Please!" Annie called after him.

"Okay, I'll get it!" I called back before wandering into the kitchen. After making two cups of juice for them, I heard a knock on the door.

"Stay in here; I'm going to go answer the door." My voice stayed a soft mumble, giving each child a cup of juice before I left their room.

My steps stayed at a sauntering pace towards the door. I was a little uneasy because I didn't expect any guests to come to the house. I hardly made any friends in the town yet to warrant any guests to come by.

When I opened the door, Esme stood in front of me. She had a cooked meal in Tupperware and another with salad. The one with the cooked food had condensation from the warmth.

"Hello, (Y/N)," She smiled sweetly at me as she held the containers. "I made food for you, Thomas, and Annie."

"Oh, wow, thank you, Esme. You didn't have to do this." I took the food off her hands, setting it on a table beside of me.

"I wanted to, it's alright." She continued to smile as I accepted her food.

I took a step outside to talk to her there. "Still, isn't it a lot for you to bother with? I don't mean to let rumors persuade my thinking, but don't you have five children of your own."

I almost felt discouraged knowing that, and she's more put together than I am. But I pushed those feelings aside with the hope that I'm still doing a good job, at least. Thomas and Annie are happy, fed, and clothed, so that tells me I'm doing good.

"It's not a problem, (Y/N). My five are a bit more grown than yours." Esme gave a soft chuckle. "They are in high school."

"Oh, they are?" My brows furrowed for a moment. She looked like she was my age, so it's hard for me to think they're biological.

"Yes, my husband and I adopted them a while back in Alaska." She told me like she read my mind.

"Oh, alright. I bet they must have learned many things from you two. It's sweet of you and your husband to adopt your five." With a curt nod, I surveyed our surroundings during our talk together.

The news story that I saw not too long ago was fresh in my mind like a film. "Esme, have you heard the news today?" My eyes caught hers again.

"No, I have not." Her eyes looked over my face in confusion and concern.

"Well, you and your family should be careful. Two fishermen were attacked and killed by an animal." I gave her my warning.

"Really? That's horrible news." One of her hands went over her heart.

"Yeah, and the police don't even know what the animal is. So, it's best to be cautious whenever you are outside. I'm not going to be letting Thomas and Annie be any more than an arm's distance away from me when outside." I thought firmly about my last words.

"I'll keep that in mind." She nodded.

"Good; I'm sorry to say that I'll have to head back in now. I got to feed Thomas and Annie some lunch. Thank you again for stopping by and making food for us. I appreciate that."

My back still faced the door as I opened it up. She slowly departed down the road as I slipped back into my house.

"Thomas, Annie!" I called for them, the food Esme brought in my hands. "Esme was nice enough to bring lunch for us." I came to their room.

"Yay!" Thomas and Annie both ran to my side.

"Not so fast, you two. Can you two clean up your toys and wash your hands first?"
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1006 Words