26 July 2011 / 19:35
‘I’m ravenous.’
‘I’m not surprised.’
Dominic has collected Maddie from gym, a late practice. His daughter’s been on the go since seven that morning and it’s well after her normal supper time.
‘Did you remember your lunchbox?’
‘Yes,’ Maddie said. ‘Good old Mom.’
Kate’s school lunches were the envy of Maddie’s friends, designed to keep a small engine called Maddie running at optimal speed. But the fuel had run low now and the smell of pizza from the back seat was making Maddie’s stomach rumble.
‘Have a slice, Mads.’
‘Thanks, Dad.’
Maddy’s pizza was in the top box. Veggie Deluxe, all the toppings. Maddie leant back, snagged a napkin, and pulled a slice free. She took a huge bite, then settled back happily.
‘Better?’ Dominic glanced over at her.
‘Mmmm.’
Dominic indicated, then slowed, ready to turn left. He beeped the remote and the gates opened. There was something—
‘Dad! Stop!’ Maddie fumbled with her seatbelt.
‘Maddie! Wait!’ Dominic didn’t know what had happened, all he knew was that his daughter had to stay in the car. ‘Don’t move.’
Dominic got out and closed his door as quietly as he could. He stood still, eyes straining in the darkness. Then he heard muffled noises coming from a strange mass on the driveway. Suddenly it dawned on him.
‘Kate? Noah?’
Kate was shaking, screaming through the ball of cloth in her mouth.
Noah was silent, his head hanging.
Dominic ran to them, knelt, his fingers fumbling with the tight knot at the back of Kate’s head. It was impossible to loosen.
Scissors, he needed scissors
He looked at the house and then at his wife.
‘Kate, are they gone?’
Kate’s chest was heaving. She swallowed, looked at her husband and nodded.
Dominic turned to signal to Maddie but before he knew it, she was out of the car and at his side, keening. ‘Mom, Mom. Noah.’
‘Maddie, Mom and Noah aren’t hurt. Do you understand? They aren’t hurt.’
Kate and Noah nodded.
‘Maddie.’ Dominic said, until his daughter tore her eyes away from them. ‘I need you to stay right here. Will you do that?’
Maddie started scrabbling at the knots in the plastic rope and Dominic put his hand over hers. ‘Easy Maddie. Easy. I’m going into the house to get some scissors.’
‘No, Dad! What if—’
Dominic’s voice was soothing. ‘They’re gone, Maddie. Let’s stay calm and help Mom and Noah.’