As the weeks passed, I settled into the new quarter at school. Because of Father’s new-found support I didn’t feel so out of place. Although, most of my classmates were at least three years my senior I was the one fought over when it came to study groups. To think a twelve-year-old child could be the great cause for so much adoration.

I started my reading of Uncle Martin’s book, but it was the letter he wrote that I always kept in my mind. As I scanned over each word, his cryptic message became more confusing to me.

Mother came into my room that evening, oddly wearing her brown jumpsuit. The clothing she only wore to the lab.

“Hello, Mother,” I said and put my book down. “Don’t tell me…”

“Yes, dear,” she said.

“Not the lab,” I whined. “Again?”

“It’s very important that we go. There’s been some minor mishap.”

“Are you sure?” I asked, an uneasy feeling came over me.

“Don’t worry, dear. Just be good to mind Anna and eat all your dinner.” She kissed my forehead and started to make her way towards the door.
The feeling grew stronger with each of her passing steps, until my fear took a voice of its own. “Don’t go.” The two words that escaped my lips made my mother turn in astonishment. Mother didn’t speak, just held her mouth open. “Please, don’t go, Mother. You won’t come back.”

I had no idea why I said those words. It was like I was a messenger of doom who came to deliver an edict from the grim reaper.

“Why did you say that?” She asked and came back towards me.

“I don’t know. I just had a feeling.”

“Oh, Mary,” she said and sat on my bed and held me, “nothing’s going to happen.”

She slowly caressed my dark brown hair between her fingers. Tears came to my eyes. I became more insistent in my plea.

“Mother, please.”

She whipped away my tears and said, “It’s all right, Mary. We’ll be back before you know we’re missing.”