"What?"
"I need to run to the supermarket. It is down the street. Keep them in the living room, do not open the front door, and call me if anything happens."
He looked at Emma, who was sitting on the rug with her stuffed bunny, then at Noah, who was building a tower from plastic blocks.
"Okay."
"That is not enough. I need you to actually listen."
He sighed and locked his phone.
"I'm listening."
"No snacks unless you ask me. Emma puts everything in her mouth, so watch her carefully. Noah may try to go upstairs. Keep the baby gate closed."
"They'll be fine."
"Tyler."
He sat up.
"I've got them, Amanda. Go."
I should have taken them with me.
That thought followed me all the way to the store.
I rushed through the aisles, grabbing only what we needed. Milk, pasta, tomatoes, chicken, and bread.
At the checkout, the woman in front of me had a problem with her card.
I checked the time.
Thirty-four minutes.
I called Tyler, but he didn't answer.
My stomach tightened.
The cashier finally scanned my groceries.
I paid, shoved everything into bags, and hurried to the parking lot.
By the time I pulled into our driveway, 40 minutes had passed.
The front door was wide open.
For one second, I could not move.
Then I saw Emma's stuffed bunny lying near the doorway.
I left the grocery bags on the porch and ran inside.
"Tyler?"
The television was playing cartoons.
The living room was empty.
"Noah? Emma?"
There was no answer.
I checked behind the couch, in the kitchen, and in the downstairs bathroom.
Then I ran upstairs, shouting their names.
Both bedrooms were empty.
I rushed back down and threw open the back door.
There was no one to be seen.
The yard was silent.
My mind filled with every terrible possibility at once.
Had the children wandered outside?
Had someone come into the house?
Had Tyler left them alone?
I grabbed my phone to call 911.
Before I could dial, an unknown local number appeared on the screen.
I answered so quickly that I nearly dropped the phone.
"Hello?"
"Is this Amanda?"
"Yes."
"This is Hillcrest Emergency Clinic. We have your children here. You need to come immediately."
