It had been only three minutes since she had asked for directions to the school and as Bianca found a spot to park, she marveled at just how much had changed in a few months.
A loving mother of two boys and a dutiful wife, she'd played that role for the past decade only to discover that her supposed loving husband was a big time con-man.
He'd been arrested and as she began to settle into the shock of knowing who her husband was, the letters began to pour in.
At first, it had seemed petty and almost looked like one of her husbands victim was trying to let off steam by threatening his family. But the letters had only grown in frequency and the threats accompanied with even more vivid descriptions.
Knowing she didn't fully trust the assurances of the police, Bianca knew it was time to move. Which was why she was here this morning, in a new town, new place with the hopes of a new life for her two boys.
She'd moved to this town the week before and it was just a few miles from one of the country border. Paranoia probably, but she wasn't willing to take chances when her children were involved, there had to be a plan B in case they were ever in trouble.
Bianca was here to enroll her children in the new school which coincidentally was the only one available in the small town.
Still lost in thought, she was brought back to reality only by the scuffle going on in the back seat as her boys Jeremy aged seven and Derek aged four struggled over only God knew what.
Promises of a night out for dinner was enough to keep both children in line as they located the principal's office. Five minutes later and deep in conversation with the middle aged woman ....
"I think you're lucky we're still taking students at this time of the year" the principal was saying.
Bianca almost rolled her eyes as she thought as if you could.
Keeping a smile plastered on her face she replied "I promise you'll be glad to have us"
'It seems all the documents provided here are correct, so you can proceed to pay their tuition and have them resume tomorrow" the principal said
"Oh sure, I'll do just that"
As they exchanged pleasantries, the principal stood up to walk Bianca to the door. The secretary a young woman probably in her early twenties was immediately there to accompany her on a guided tour.
She was still thinking finally that was done and over with, when Bianca noticed both boys weren't seated where they were supposed to be.
"Where are my kids?" she asked the secretary
"They're seated just ........." the secretaries mouth hung open as it dawned on her that both children weren't seated anywhere in the room.
The principal and secretary were saying something but Bianca was no longer listening and she swung the door open and collided head on with a student.
Muttering apologies, she was soon running and screaming both boys names. What this caused was another chaos as teachers and students alike soon popped into the corridor wondering what was going on.
Both principal and secretary tried to calm her down while contacting security but the look of terror on her face showed she was already thinking the worst.
Bianca's mind flashed through all the letters and threats she'd gotten and wondered which one of them had found her here. For every second that passed without her kids, she was terrified and slowly dying inside.
Tears running over her face and her appearance completely disheveled she slumped to the floor screaming the word NO continuously. Still on the floor she thought she heard Derek's voice.
No she thought, my mind has to be playing tricks on me. But soft hands were soon over her shoulder, tugging her and shouting Mummy. Daring to hope, she looked up and there was Derek hugging her with his brother just behind him.
She grabbed both boys and hugged them so tight, even she feared she might break something. But whenever she wanted to let go, her emotions got the better of her and she squeezed them closer even more.
It was a few more minutes before Bianca was finally calm and the boys somehow knew something serious was going on and didn't argue or complain about their mum embarrassing them.
The Principal was talking to the security men and apparently satisfied with whatever they must've discussed, she walked towards Bianca offering her a hand up.
Few minutes later they were all back at the Principal's office once again and this time Bianca told the woman the reason for her behavior early.
The principal also explained to her that the children had been found on the school football field, apparently they'd been admiring the football facilities when they heard Bianca's scream.
Embarrassed over her overreaction but happy that her children were safe, they soon headed back home to prepare for the next day.
Just as they were driving in, a call came in. It was from the police and they had a suspect in custody.