by T Delaplain
PHOTO PROMPT © Rowena Curtin
Room For Exploration
by T. Delaplain
Pam made the call on the same day that the missing child posters started appearing. The new charter school felt like the safest option. The brochure offered, advanced technology and plenty of room for exploration. The headmaster was quick to point out the school’s heightened security features.
Emma hopscotched down the tattooed concrete, the sparkly unicorn danced along on her tiny backpack.
“You know Mom, some kids never return from MindStrong.”
“What? That’s ridiculous, it’s a child development center.”
“Not what I heard at school today. Austin said that Sally said that Eric said he saw the flash and Tom just disappeared.”
Care to join us at Friday Fictioneers? There’s plenty of room to explore and Rochelle will give you 100 words to make up a story.
Tracey Delaplain, MD 
MindStrong is quite an ominous name. Either supernatural or a cult of some kind springs to mind. Good one.
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I know, right? I’m going to skip that learning center and get a drink at “Happly”. Why is that spelled wrong, it’s bugging me now. Ha ha
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Aliens
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Or just a run of the mill worm hole. Who ya gonna believe?
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Tracey, you are giving me a major paranoia flare-up 😉 I like the “tattooed concrete” and the sparkling unicorn dancing on her backpack.
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Bahaha, kids say the darnedest things. What’s a mother to believe?
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BELIEVE THEM
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So good! And so good to see your posts again, Dr. Delaplain. You are still missed!
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Hey Eve, Thank you for your kind words. I can’t believe that you still follow this blog. I’ve been so lazy about writing. I’m living in Baja, so I play more than I write these days. Thanks for stopping by to say hello. Tracey
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Some of the science projects may have gone a bit too far
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Kids know things. This would make a great start to a larger story.
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Dear Tracey,
Mary said that Josh said that Eve said it’s time to find another school. MindStrong does sound just this side of creepy. Well done.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you. My grand daughter is a champion story teller but there is always an element of truth in her fanciful tales.
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Never underestimate what a child is trying to tell you. It’s lovely to see you on the squares, Tracey.
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Well done. Spooky MindStrong.
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Children do have vivid imaginations, but then again….!
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Exactly, just because a tale is fantastic, it doesn’t mean it’s a fabrication.
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it sounds more like a cult or alien-induced disappearance.
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I agree, I think …. But I’m not sure. Kids!
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Surely if this were true the parents would have said something, right?
That’s what I would be thinking if I had been this mom.
I mean surely. Right?
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Surely? …… asks 5 year old for more details. Ha ha
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LOL
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I like all the descriptions.But mostly the mary said…. So typical of childrens reports.
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I’m sure kids think the trail of “he said, she said” makes it more legitimate.
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I agree.
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Love the story, so good – I too thought there was something sinister about the Mindstrong shop 🙂
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Right? It set off alarms as soon as I read the sign. That cheerful alley gave me the creeps. Ha ha
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Eerie Tracy. Thank you. Difficult to trust even seemingly upfront organisations, especially with children. Further investigation needed into Mindstrong….
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Indeed. I agree.
Thanks for stopping by,
Tracey
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Hearsay evidence. Perhaps. But then exactly where is Tom?
I still recall (way too many years hence) some of my friends telling me (lies) impossible stories and never relenting to the truth. As Dr. House claims, “everybody lies.”
Well done.
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Indeed, where is Tom?
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Usually, I wouldn’t believe a he said she said he said, especially coming from a child, but even looking past the entrance to a childcare facility being in an alley, there’s something ominous about MindStrong.
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I think we all agree that MindStrong sets off alarms.
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Eep! Homeschooling may be a better choice!
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That sounds like a good plan.
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Clever use of the sign! I can see a charter school using that as a name.
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Thank you, they’ll need a new PR firm when the kids are done spreading rumors.
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This is so good, I can see the child and hear her voice. And that creepy ending gives me goose bumps. Never dismiss what the kids say.
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There’s always an element of truth in every 5 year old’s story. They aren’t usually devious enough to tell a slanderous lie.
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Oh no…. they go but don’t always come back. A nice scare in this one. The kids know.
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Maybe some of your characters got their start at MindStrong. One never knows.
Thanks for reading.
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Love this. I’d imagine Mom will be withdrawing Emma’s application.
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I suspect so. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Tracey
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