Whispers of the Night

Peanut

I pulled the car into a parking space hard, jumping out I raced towards the school entrance and into reception.

"Where?! Where is she?!" I demanded as the receptionist rattled off a room, I took off running through the corridors.

I passed rooms full with children, some were playing, others writing and another set where singing. My eyes scanned desperately at each of the rooms, not spotting my girl, I moved on until I heard the screaming.

"Avari." I whispered before breaking into a run down the hallway and rushing into a room where there was two teachers, the class room was emptied of children and my little girl was clutching her head screaming in pain.

"We rang as soon as it started. The nurse can't understand it." Her teacher stressed pressing her hand against her mouth in upset.

I brought Avari to my chest and clung onto her tightly as she cried into me. "I got you baby. I got you." I hushed stroking her hair back.

I looked to her teacher, Mrs Lowe whose eyebrows were furrowed with upset. The look in her eye told me that there was more to this than my little girl erupting. I felt Avari's fingers digging around my neck until they took hold of my necklace. The black crystal disappeared into her fingers as she held it tightly. Through routine, I brushed around her neck and found her chain missing.

"Where is her necklace?" I asked instantly.

Mrs Lowe opened her hand to the broken chain. "I tried to fix it, but then she started screaming and crying. I thought maybe it was because she was upset..."

I held up my hand to stop her before pulling back Avari enough to see her face, her grey eyes were surrounded by redness from her tears.

"I need to speak with Mrs Lowe. You're gonna wear mine okay? See those crayons?" I spoke pointing to the table to where they were sat, she nodded her head. "I need you to draw for me. Okay?"

"Okay mommy."

I pressed a kiss on her forehead and slipped my necklace off and around her neck. "Good girl, I'll be right over there. I'm not leaving without you."

She shifted off my lap and went to the table picking up a piece of paper and a chunky crayon.

"I'll stay with her." The second teacher smiled, I didn't know her name but the friendly smile she gave Avari had me accept her request.

Walking to the corner of the room with Mrs Lowe, I looked to see the teacher with her own crayon and paper doodling beside Avari.

"What happened?" I asked.

"We were having carpet time, I had the children all on the carpet as I read a story, the Hunger caterpillar. Next thing I know, I can hear whispering which isn't uncommon, they are 5 year olds. But Avari was staring at the spot next to her with the chain in her hands. Then she began to get upset and shaking her head at whatever she was seeing. I knew something was wrong when she looked at me scared and before I could react she began screaming."

I chewed my lip looking over at her as she held one small hand around my chain and coloured with her other.

"The school nurse said it wasn't a temperature... Miss Summers what is going on?"

I shook my head "It is complicated."

"Is it an imaginary friend? Young children are perceptible to a lot of things. It's not uncommon.." She paused as Avari raced over holding me a picture.

"I did this I drewed him cause you get the baddies mommy." She held up the picture to me as I took it.

I tried to keep a smooth face as I looked at the drawing. "Avari how about you draw me a sunflower, can you remember what colour they are?" Mrs Lowe asked sensing my quietness.