Concerns
There were concerning signs when 10-year-old Maddie Hemsworth consistently arrived late at school, tearful on multiple occasions. Sensing something awry, the teacher took her aside to inquire, but Maddie remained silent.
This led the teacher to make the decision to discreetly follow Maddie that evening, revealing a distressing truth that prompted immediate involvement of the authorities.
Teacher Orellana
Leslie Orellana, a middle-grade science teacher, found immense fulfillment in guiding and teaching her students. It was her source of pride and genuine happiness.
Witnessing her students' smiles filled her days with contentment. However, when Maddie began arriving late with tears in her eyes, Leslie felt compelled to intervene.
Skilled Guardian
Maddie remained tight-lipped, despite Leslie's attempts. As a seasoned guardian figure, Leslie sensed the girl's fear of speaking up, stirring deep concern within her.
Once a cheerful and courageous girl, Maddie's sudden change troubled Leslie. She knew it wouldn't be long before she devised a plan to unravel the mystery shrouding Maddie's distress.
Talented
Maddie had been a standout student since her enrollment in the town's middle school three years ago, impressing Leslie with her bravery and natural talent. Her consistent top performance in class made her a gifted student in Leslie's eyes.
However, recent shifts in Maddie's behavior and regular tardiness abruptly altered Leslie's perception. As a teacher attuned to her students' well-being, she couldn't ignore these sudden changes in the once-confident girl.
Tranquil Monday
On a tranquil Monday morning, the school corridors echoed with the ring of the first-period bell. While the students had settled into their classes, Leslie, clasping her teaching materials, hastened toward her own.
Teaching was usually a highlight of her day, and today was no exception. Full of anticipation, Leslie strode forward, unaware of the unexpected encounter awaiting her.
Navigating The School Corridors
Navigating the school corridors with her teaching materials in tow, Leslie was abruptly halted by a distant, plaintive cry. A concerned furrow appeared on her brow as she paused in her tracks.
Years of experience had honed Leslie's awareness, and she recognized the distress in that sound. Tightening her grip on the charts, she pivoted on her heels, tuning her senses to trace the origin of the cry echoing through the empty hallways.
Finding Maddie
With intuition guiding her, Leslie swiftly located the source of the cries. Approaching the school's main entrance, she found Maddie perched on the steps, arms wrapped tightly around her legs, head bowed in apparent distress.
The sight tugged at Leslie's heartstrings. With measured steps, she closed the distance between them, her concern palpable.
Seeking Comfort
Leslie approached Maddie with a gentle tone, concern etched in her voice. "Maddie, why are you out here? Classes have begun." Closing the gap, she crouched beside the girl.
"Are you alright?" Leslie observed the tears streaking down Maddie's face. The girl hastily wiped them away, attempting a smile. Maddie seemed at a loss for words, nodding silently before rising to her feet.
A Mysterious Vehicle
As Leslie approached Maddie, she prepared to inquire about her presence outside when she noticed the girl's fixed gaze behind her.
Curious, Leslie turned to follow Maddie's stare, discovering a dusty black SUV parked near the school gate. The vehicle abruptly departed as if the driver had noticed Leslie observing them.
Escorting Leslie To Science Class
Leslie gently clasped Maddie's hand, leading her towards the science classroom, her thoughts lingering on the mysterious SUV that had vanished from view. Maddie's first period was science, a class Leslie was scheduled to teach.
However, as they walked, it became apparent that Maddie remained deeply distressed. Despite Leslie's attempts to coax her into conversation, the girl remained silent. But there was something more troubling than her silence.
The Problem
Leslie realized that Maddie was still crying, though silently. She didn't even bother wiping her tears, only let them flow freely as she walked beside the teacher. Leslie had to stop and go down on one knee.
"What's wrong, Maddie," she asked. But Maddie remained tight-lipped. Leslie had to take her to the washrooms to clean up before they went to class. She thought this would be a one-time thing, not knowing it would be a daily occurrence.
In Class
For two consecutive days, Maddie was late to school. Then, one day, she wasn't in class for thirty minutes while Leslie taught. The girl's desk was empty, and when Leslie asked her friends whether she'd come in, they shook their heads.
The teacher had to put the class on hold, dividing the students into groups before giving them assignments to tackle in said groups. With that done, she hurried out of class.
Searching For Her
Leslie didn't know where she was going. Her steps echoed in the empty hallway as she hurried to the school entrance. That's where she'd last found Maddie. What were the chances she'd find her there today, too?
She burst through the school entrance, but Maddie wasn't on the stairs. The teacher was about to turn back when she spotted the girl. Her heartbeat paused.
There She Is
Maddie was walking through the main gate, her eyes puffy. Her clothes were messy and wrinkled, as if she'd been in a street fight. Her hair was also matted and all over the place.
She kept rubbing her neck and back as if she was in pain. Tears burst through her eyes as soon as she saw Leslie. Behind her, the black SUV screeched off, disappearing around the corner as the day before.
Upset
Leslie didn't need to look at Maddie twice to see that she was more upset than she usually was. She looked worse than before with her puffy, red eyes, disheveled hair, and messy clothes. Her mood seemed to have deteriorated even further because she couldn't even look Leslie in the eyes.
She didn't even nod or shake her head to answer the teacher's questions the way she had been. "Let's skip class," Leslie said. "We can spend some time in the staffroom. I have a tub of ice cream you'll like," the teacher suggested.
Her Answer
But Maddie, a bonafide ice cream lover, didn't answer. She didn't give any gestures that would indicate her stand on her matter.
But her tears doubled, and she started walking to class, leaving a stumped Leslie behind. The teacher had had enough. She needed to get to the root of this issue and fast. Maddie's very well-being depended on it.
Summoning Her
That afternoon, Leslie summoned Maddie to the staffroom immediately after lunch period. Treading the line between a gentle guardian and an authoritative teacher, she asked the student to sit beside her.
"Maddie," she began in a light tone, her face split by a lovely smile. I've noticed you've been very unhappy of late. You've also been coming to school late. Is there something going on at home you want to tell me?"
She Finally Talks
Leslie fidgeted with her fingers for a long time. Her eyes, stuck on the floor, were already glossy with tears. She mustered the words to express herself for the first time since this issue started.
"I… I don't want to go home," she said. A bulbous, colorless drop had already broken through the thick line of tears under her eyes. It rolled down her cheek, and she didn't bother to wipe it. "Can I go home with you?" she asked.
Why?
"What?" Leslie asked before wiping the surprise off of her face. "What do you mean you don't want to go home?" The teacher's heart broke. There was more to this story, and she needed to find out what. But she also couldn't pressure Maddie into speaking.
There was a risk of her becoming completely closed off. Leslie had already noticed the fear ablaze in her eyes. She could see it on the girl's trembling lip. She decided to take another approach to the matter.
Sometimes, Things Get Difficult
"Oh, honey," she began, finally putting away her authoritative teacher persona. “I know sometimes things get difficult at home. It’s alright. But I'm here for you. You can tell me anything, you know that, right?"
She needed to reassure Maddie that she was on her side. She needed to show her that giving her trust wouldn't land her in any trouble. To her surprise, it worked!
Let Me Go With You
Maddie nodded and said, "Let me go with you, Ms. Leslie. Even if it's just for a night." She looked at Leslie, her tears doubling. She could tell that such a request was impossible.
Taking her tiny hands, the teacher said, "You're scared. I get that. But what you're asking is sort of impossible, at least for now." She knew the repercussions of going home with a student, even if she was just trying to help. But what could she do to help?
An Alternative
Leslie knew she needed to help her student. She'd have sleepless nights if she let Maddie suffer through this alone. But what could the teacher do when she didn't even know what was happening?
After a deep breath to clear her mind, she said, "Running away from our problems is never the solution, Maddie. We stand tall, and we face the issue head-on. While going with me will help, sorting out your problem so it never happens again will be even better!"
Not Happy At All
She hoped Maddie would see the logic in her thinking. But the girl was not happy at all. Streams of tears fell down her face, and she broke away from Leslie's hold. She eyed Leslie with a look of pure betrayal.
That look broke the teacher through and through, making her wish she hadn't suggested solving Maddie's problem. Before the teacher could react, the girl had already run away.
A Quiet Afternoon
Leslie sat quietly in the staffroom. She was at her wit's end. Driven to extremes, she made up her mind to trail Maddie as soon as school came to a close. Maddie had already revealed enough.
The source of this issue was deeply rooted in her home life. Leslie would follow her and see what was going on. If only she knew what she was about to uncover.
Time For Action
Evening came, and a curious Leslie hurried to her car in the school parking lot. But she didn't drive off, opting to wait until the black SUV came to pick Maddie.
She had to wait for a while because the SUV came late in the evening after every child had gone home. Leslie's heart broke as she watched Maddie, awash in tears, head to the vehicle. She wondered if she'd made a mistake not agreeing to take her home.
Following Them
The girl got into the SUV, and Leslie turned her car on. She waited for the SUV to drive off before tailing it. Leslie felt sick to the pit of her stomach as she followed the vehicle. There was something wrong with the situation.
The SUV's driver took a few turns and headed downtown to a sketchy area where few people frequented. She watched as the SUV came to a stop, and a man hopped out. Soon after, Maddie stepped out, too.
Her Dad
Leslie watched with interest. She'd already recognized the man as Maddie's dad. She'd met him on numerous occasions over the years. But he looked different. For one, he wore tattered clothes and looked like he hadn’t had a haircut in a while. He also seemed drowsy as he staggered about before leaning against the wall.
He said something to Maddie, and the girl nodded meekly. But her eyes were wet with tears. The man started throwing his arms about. Leslie couldn't hear him, but she could tell he was either upset or too excited. He started approaching Maddie, and that's when it happened.
Calling For Help
Leslie had been watching closely, her fingers tight around her steering wheel. But as soon as Maddie's dad started stalking toward the girl, she got her phone and dialed the authorities.
Her danger alarms had gone off in her brain. She could see the fear in the girl's eyes. This couldn't be good. Luckily for her, a patrol car had been close and pulled up to the scene without wasting a second.
Time For The Truth
Leslie came out of her car as soon as the authorities stepped out of theirs. Seeing her, Maddie came running, her face drenched in tears. She hugged Leslie tightly, sobbing and heaving. Her dad watched, and for a second, he looked hurt.
The authorities approached him. Leslie expected him to put up a fight, but he didn't. They started asking him questions, and he willingly answered. It was then that Leslie realized she'd made a mistake.
A Needed Explanation
Maddie's dad explained everything, from the late mornings to the reason his daughter looked shabby and had been crying. About a year back, he'd discovered that his wife had been unfaithful to him. Naturally, he'd filed for divorce. But he had no idea she'd been taking loans under his name and maxing out his credit cards. In a span of six months, he and Maddie found themselves on the streets.
The bank had taken everything they had, with his ex-wife disappearing into the God only knew where. He'd recently found work as a valet during the day, which blessed him with the black SUV – a company car. Sadly, all the cash he made went to paying his debt. But his explanation did little to explain why his daughter was always late.
We’ll Be Okay
Well, Maddie's dad was still trying to find a home for them as the motel they'd been living in for the last six months kicked them out. For five days, Maddie had been sleeping in the SUV at night while her dad went out to do odd jobs so he could find them a place to stay. He'd come in the morning to take her to freshen up at the local gym before they had breakfast, and he drove her to school. But Maddie had been scared, not because she was usually alone in the car but because she constantly worried about her dad's well-being while he was away.
In her mind, if she found somewhere to stay, even if it was for a night, her dad would take the car to his numerous jobs. He'd be safe. She’d been so adamant about it, and her dad had refused to take the car. That’s why she was usually sad. Maddie's dad opened the SUV's trunk, showing the authorities the only possessions he and his daughter had left. "Blankets and a few changes of clothes," he smiled. "But I know we'll be okay," he said. He'd just come from an interview, and things were looking good. "I trust we'll be okay."