The Pulsing Darkness

Chapter Eight

That morning, Ms. Lewis went straight into her phone calls. She called the school first. She dialed in the numbers and held the phone close to her ear. Her heart rate pounded in her ears as she chewed on her fingernails. Her feet forced her into a pace on the tile floor she stood on. Her eyes traveled back and forth at the window, watching the sun rise. The wind seemed to stay the same from last night. The clouds muffled the suns brightness which the mother was glad for. Too much brightness and she would swear she'd get a headache. The ringing stopped and she heard a hello. Ms. Lewis felt her breath return as she didn't even know she held a breath in. The hand flew from her mouth and under arm pit for support on her arm holding the phone.

"Yes, yes! Hi, this is Ms. Lewis. Michaels mother. I was wondering if any of your staff members saw Michael get picked up yesterday by his sister." There was a pause. Ms. Lewis stopped her pacing.

"Alright I'll just be a moment. Can I put you on hold?"

"Actually I would like to sta-." Classical music filled her ears and she narrowed her eyes. Her features on her face grew stern but she said nothing about her irratation. Ms. Lewis let out a sigh and waited anyway. She leaned against the kicthen counter and looked down at her slippers. They were very worn slippers. Nothing she planned on keep very long. She flinched slightly at the increasing rain on her windows. Her eyes glanced at it worringly. They were out there somewhere with this rain. She felt a cold shiver down her spine then her attention was brought back to the phone when the music stopped.

"I'm sorry. I've tried speaking to some of the administration for phone numbers, but none of the teachers in car pool answered. You'll have to call back on Monday." The woman apologized. Ms. Lewis took her wieght off the granite counter and felt her body tense.

"Don't you have cameras? Can you look back at the time?"

"No ma'am. I'm sorry. It is Saturday after all."

"Then why are you there?" Ms. Lewis snapped.

"Staff meeting. But not for teachers. Would you like me to keep trying and call you back?"

"Would I like to-? Yes, I would love it! My children are missing! As soon as you hear something then I want to know about it immediately!" Ms. Lewis snarled into the phone.

"Your children are missing?" The woman asked.

"Yes, why do you think I'm calling?!" Ms. Lewis groaned.

"Why aren't you informing the police?" Ms. Lewis stiffened and stabbed her thumb into the end call button then slammed it on the table.

"Ridiculous." She whispered, shaking her head. Her eyes closed and she took a breath in and out. Call the police. Surely they can do more than the school. Her eyes opened and she reached for the phone again. Her fingers hovered over the number buttons. She hesitated. When was the last time the police was actually helpful? She looked away and felt her chest grow empty. I could do better. She put her head in her hands, the phone squishing her nose. "God, I should've picked him up," She muttered. Her head shook back forth gently. She felt her face vibrated and she pulled her hands away, confused. She looked down and saw the phone blinking with light. Emergency number. She quickly answered and placed the phone to her ear.
"Hello?"

"Hello, are you Joane Marie Lewis?"

"I am. Who is this?"

"Just an officer. Are you the owner of a black Honda Civic 2008?"

"I believe so. Why?" She questioned. Her hope yet worry rising. It was Carrie's car. She let Carrie drive that car while she drove the red Jeep Charokee.

"Believe so? Is your license tag-."

"Why?" Ms. Lewis intruppted. "I said believe so because I own that type of car but anyone could own that as well. Why?"

"It was found outside of an elementry school yesterday. It was smashed. Clearly it was in a wreck. Did you leave it there?" Ms. Lewis felt her hand go to her mouth and her eyes widen.

"Oh my god..."

"Ms. Lewis?"

"My kids!"

"Ms. Lewis! What about your kids?" The officer trying to gain her attention.

"My oldest daughter picked my son after school. She drove my car."

"Your daughter stole your car and drove it?"

"No. I am allowing to let her drive one of my cars for the time being. She's in high school and has her drivers license."

"Oh I understand. They must have been taken to the hospital. We'll look into it and call you back to let you know which hospital and which room."

"Oh god, thank you." She smiled in relief.

"Of course. Have a good day." The call ended and Ms. Lewis put the phone up. The room lit up and she looked out the window. Her face flinched at the sound of Thunder and she began heading back to her room. If they were really in the hospital, she would've gotten a call sooner. Ms. Lewis shook her head. Something else is happening here and I'm going to find out. The door shut behind her in a soft click and she began to change into her everyday clothes. She was going to that site and was going to figure out what happened herself. The police are so useless. They always were.