“In the meantime, we need to fit in,” Kaitlin said. She handed Laura a stuffed animal. “Play like a kid.”
“Need out,” Laura said.
“We can think of thomething while we play.” Kaitlin looked around for something to occupy her time with. Her eyes landed on a dollhouse. She got up and walked over.
She intended on bringing a few dolls over to where Laura was sitting, or even bringing Laura over to the dollhouse, but found herself getting distracted. Her pretend playing quickly became very real. The initial plan, to think of a way to escape, vanished, as she excitedly played with the dolls. At some point, another girl about her current age came over, and Kaitlin began to play with her, too.
Eventually, Kaitlin felt pressure beginning to build in her bladder. She stopped playing with the dolls and looked around for a daycare worker. She spotted one checking on Laura, who had gathered more stuffed animals and was playing with them animatedly, not even noticing the person checking her diaper.
“All clean!” the daycare worker announced. Laura didn’t react, instead continuing to play with the toys. Kaitlin waved her hands, attracting the daycare worker’s attention. The daycare worker came over. “What is it, Kaitlin?”
“I need to pee!” Kaitlin said urgently. The daycare worker took her hand and pulled her up.
“Let’s get you to the bathroom then.”
The quick bathroom break cleared Kaitlin’s mind. As she returned to the playroom, she realized that she and Laura were no closer to escaping. Neither of them had been pretending to play, they’d been actually playing. Kaitlin abandoned the dollhouse and sat down across from Laura, who was now chewing on one of her toys.
“Laura, thath groth,” Kaitlin said. Laura took the toy out of her mouth and looked at it in surprise.
“No know I do that.”
“Well, we need to come up with a plan. I went and played dollieth with thome little girl for I don’t know how long.” Laura cocked her head, confused.
“When leave?”
“I walked away a long time ago. You didn’t notith?” Kaitlin asked. Laura shook her head. “Okay, we’re tharting to act like actual kidth. We need to get out before it geth worth.” Laura set down her stuff animal, slightly damp with her saliva.
“What do?”