As the first warning bell rings my little Care Bears start to line up outside the classroom door in pairs. I stand at the door and quickly scan the lines hoping to find Ryder. My eyes roam over my Care Bears once, twice, three times before I accept the fact he's not going to attend class today. I look at Sanz from the doorway and discreetly shake my head. Sanz shakes his head furiously as he runs his hands through his black mass of hair. Ryder's missing from the line and my heart instantly drop.
"Alright, Care Bears. Let's count in twos as you enter the room please." I plaster a smile on my face just for them.
"And... I hope you all took the time to write your first entry in your new journals you were given last night?"
"Yeeesss!" They cheer excitedly.
"You're all so clever! I must be the luckiest teacher in the entire world right?" I smile at them.
"Yessss..." They cheer again.
"I've left a box covered in galaxy stickers on my desk. Before the day is over I'd like you to please, place your journals inside that box okay?" They all nod their heads full of enthusiasm.
"Alright Care Bears, Let's do this."
After they have all entered the classroom, counting in twos and high fiving me as they jump thrillingly that not a single soul messed up their awesome flow. I separate them into six even groups and set them up with a few fun maths board games to keep them distracted while I talk with Sanz.
"What are we going to do Sanz?" I place a hand over my racing heart as it slowly continues to break.
"I'm going to do a house call." He says in a violent tinged tone.
"Is that a wise thing to do?" I let my eyes roam over his face...
"What else can I do?" He walks over to the window and stares out onto the field where the seniors are doing their Physical Ed.
"I don't think you showing up on their front doorstep is the answer, Sanz. You're near livid, and no one in that state of mind is safe to be around. Especially Ryder." I say, trying to make him understand that there is no logical reason for him to go over.
I look back at my Care Bears. Most of the groups are having a blast playing with the board games and the rest are occupied with one of the Iron Man figurines Caleb brought into class today. I going to take a wild guess and assume that's what he brought for his show and tell project they were given a few days ago.
"I think we should call the police and let them deal with this." I turn back towards Sanz
"And if Ryder gets taken into child services, what then?" He huffs.
"We can't predict the future. We don't know for sure if that's going to be the outcome. We need to do things by the book."
The last thing I want is for Ryder to end up in child services custody too. But, we can't afford to not follow the book in case this becomes a more serious matter for the police to deal with then what it currently is now.
"It's too risky" He scratches the back of his head out of pure frustration.
"And... It's too risky not to." I plead.
We remain silent for a good period, keeping our eyes trained on my Care Bears. I bet Celestes ghost would love to kick me up the arse right about now if she could. Shit, I'm tempted to line up my Care Bears and let them kick me up the arse. The blame lays with me if Ryder's hurt, I should've just kept my mouth shut when Thomas told me to.
You have one Job Nessa, and that's to always do right and protect those damn kids you refer to as your Care Bears! When did you become so reckless, and let this incident slip through your sausage fingers?
"If he's laid a finger on Ryder.." The words fall from Sanz's lips leaving his statement unfinished.
"I can't, and refuse to think like that right now."
I silently pray to the Gods begging them to keep a watchful eye and healing hand on Ryder till we know for sure he is safe.
"I'm going to go to my office to notify the police." His words are laced with defeat.
"It's for the best." I quietly murmur staring at him.
His eyes sweep across the classroom once before he leaves without looking back at me.