The day goes by in a blur of snacks, naps, and for Laura, diaper changes. Kaitlin manages to keep her training pants dry, even during her nap, which she is proud of, but not sure whether she should be proud of. Caught up in the daycare activities, Laura and Kaitlin forget to make an escape plan, and before they know it, they are the last children, and the employees are getting skittish.
“Try to contact their parents,” Linda instructs one of her coworkers, a young man named Matt who became particularly attached to Laura. Matt nods and rushes off. Linda walks over to where Kaitlin and Laura are playing. “Girls, do you know when your mommy and daddy are supposed to be here?”
“No,” Laura says. Her eyes widen. She shouldn’t have said anything! Quickly, she locates a pacifier on the ground and pops it into her mouth to avoid saying anything else. Linda’s face is etched in concern.
“Hmm.” She looks at Kaitlin. “Kaitlin, can you tell me anything?” Before Kaitlin can try to think of a lie, Matt returns.
“They’re on the attendance sheet, but I can’t find any other information,” he says. “There’s no paperwork of their medical history or allergies, and no contact sheet!”
“And since none of us knew they were going to be here…” Linda mumbles. She stands up. “I’m going to call the cops. Matt, keep an eye on them okay?” Matt nods. Linda leaves the room. Matt walks over to Laura, sits on the ground, and pulls her onto his lap.
“Hey, Princess Laura,” he coos happily, tickling her. Laura giggles at the tickles. Then, she freezes. “Don’t worry, sweetie, even I laugh so hard I pee myself sometimes,” Matt says. He stands up and brings Laura over to the changing table to put into yet another clean diaper. Kaitlin’s mind is racing. She has a couple options, but they’re both pretty bad.