Kaitlin can see the despair in Laura’s eyes. They can’t both be taken to daycare. Who knows what would happen? Seizing the opportunity, Kaitlin makes a break for it, running away from the employee. She’s devastated at the mental image of Laura’s expression of betrayal. But she has no choice. She has to get away.
The man swears and begins to follow her, only for Laura to being wailing loudly.
“Son of a-” Laura’s crying distracted the man long enough that Kaitlin is able to get away. She hides behind one of the shelves in the store, from which she can still see Laura. Laura’s continuing to cry up a storm, breaking Kaitlin’s heart further. For a brief moment, Laura’s cries are replaced with grunts. Kaitlin wrinkles her nose, recognizing the effort and concentration on Laura’s face.
“Ew!” The man holds Laura as far away from him as possible, disgusted by Laura’s now poop-filled diaper. Laura’s bawling resumes, somehow even louder than before. After what feels like ages, a security guard walks into the store.
“You got some kids for me to take to the daycare?” the guard asks. The man quickly hands Laura over. The guard’s eyes widen when he smells Laura’s messy diaper. “Ugh. I hate taking care of kids still in diapers.” The guard adjusts his hold on Laura, who is continuing to cry. “But I thought there were two kids.”
“One of them ran off,” the man says, frustrated. “I would look for her, but I have to get back to work.”
“After I drop off this stinker, I’ll come back and find her,” the guard says. The guard carries away Laura and the man goes back to work. Laura’s sobs gradually fade. Kaitlin swallows. She has a small window of time to find the dice.