The Land in the Sky

5

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Five years ago. . .

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"You're mother's gone," Dr. Fischer greeted me as I stepped foot in his office. Panic settled in my veins as my eyes connected with two police officers behind his desk.

"What do you mean she's gone?" My voice sounded hoarse, my nerves uncontrollable.

"Excuse me, Rae Thompson," one of the officers introduced himself, "I'm sheriff Don Richards from the Seattle PD, your mother disappeared from her room last night around 2am. The hospital has searched everywhere, but we believe she left the building. Do you possibly know where she could've gone?"

Of course I did, "Check the woods."

This wasn't the first time my mother had disappeared. Ever since I could remember, my mom had been a little odd. It wasn't until I got older that the oddities and superstitions worsened, making it impossible to take care of her, so I had to put her in a mental institution. Seattle Springs, the place was called.

It sounded a lot nicer than it was. White walls, hospital smells, random shouting coming from each direction. Even Dr. Fischer's office had a strange feel with the caged windows and the old lady smell.

"We checked the woods," The doctor solemnly explained.

"She's not there?!" Immediately I was fully aware of the situation.

The sheriff shook his head, "I'm sorry, Ms. Thompson. We will continue to search for her, if you could answer a few questions first."

I sat down, on the small chair beside the desk, as the officers situated themselves on the couch. Fischer nodded his head in understanding and left the room, leaving me and the cops alone.

"This is Timothy," Don gestured to his partner, "He's going to record the conversation if that's alright?"

Confusion took hold of my face, my eyebrows scrunching together, "Okay? What's going on?"

The officer cleared his throat, "Where were you last night around 2am, Ms. Thompson?"

My hands grew clammy, "Why?"

"Please just answer the question."

"I was at home doing homework."

"Do you have any witnesses?"

"No."

"No one to account for your whereabouts?"

"Like I just said. No."

Timothy stopped the tape recorder. As Don and him stood. I quickly followed suit, my throat constricting my airways as I heard my blood rushing and my heart thudding.

"My mother has paranoid schizophrenia that causes her to have delusions of faeries. I don't understand why you are questioning me when this has happened countless of times," I snapped, irritation lacing my voice.

"I apologize, Rae," The sheriff hoisted his large hands against his belt, his keys jingling in his pockets, "We need you to come back to the station and answer more questions."