I was mopping today when i got home, NBD. I had the door open to the garage, and was listening to music and the kids playing in the driveway. It took a minute, but then it was too quiet. That “too” quiet that all parents know. So I go to look for the twinemies, and I can’t find them. I look on the side of the house and they’re missing. Not there. It’s too silent. There are, for the first time ever, no kids, not even the neighbor kids, playing in the street. I re-look through my house and no kids are to be found. Panic strikes. My babies are both missing. Holy fuck. I grab my cell, to call 911. I run to the end of the block, screaming for them. Nothing. Silence. I am beyond panic here. They’re gone. More silence. What the fuck. I suddenly see them in some man’s car, terrified. He’s going to kill both my kids. Or worse. He won’t just kill them. Calm the fuck down Cassandra. It’s ok. I’m crying now. And gagging. Some freaky pervert comes out to see what’s happening. I know he’s taken them. I know he’s killed my kids. He tells me to go look in the bushes on the other side of his neighbor’s house. Good one, asshole. I know you have them and this is your decoy. I keep one one eye on him and frantically haul ass to look on the side of the house. At least 4 minutes has passed. I’m now having an out of body experience. I’m not thinking clearly. I’m still screaming for them. Between my gasps and screams, I hear Hayse. They’re alive. Thank you fucking God. I see them both. They run up, excited, to tell me they’ve found a cat… and it “Got dead”….The 11 year old neighbor girl comes out too. She was their guide. My children went on an adventure to see a dead body. This is Stand By Me 2 material. Ray Brower, The Cat…I silently thank God that he didn’t take my kids, as I would lose my fucking mind if they went missing. Then I look at my babies. They’re safe. They’re healthy. They’re beautiful. They are so fucking busted. I look at them again. Rage. I am suddenly livid. “Run” I tell them. “Run home fast!” They both go home. I’m shaking. My babies are safe. I will now kill them for the fear they caused. I come home. Breathe. Cry. Thank God. Contemplate taking a Xanax. They are ok. They are ok. They are ok. Being a parent is terrible sometimes. Thank you Xanax, for stopping the shaking of my hands…Thank fucking God my kids were just on an adventure. Exhale. I need sleep.