I think I have grey hairs now . . .

[omimouse]

Must calm down. Must calm the ever lovin' fuck down.

Right. The events of this evening proceeded thusly:

I took Sadie (our black and tan Aussie Shepard) for a walk, and then brought her inside to continue the ongoing process of getting the cats used to her and getting her familiar with the family's scents. After a little bit, I asked Bear-Cub to please take her back down to her house in the chicken-barn. Said barn, FTR, is within easy sight of the house. Puppy asked to go with. catchild said sure, go ahead. They were planning on playing in the effective front yard (considered to be the grounds in front of the house that can easily be seen from the house) after they settled Sadie in.

Go to one hour later. We figure that it's time to call the kids in at this point. They're not obviously seeable from the house. No biggie, they have an area or two that they're allowed to play in where we can't see them from the house, 'cause those spots are very close to the house. As in, maybe a thirty second walk. The ground dips oddly, and the pole barn is in the way.

Catchild calls a few times. No response. Catchild walks up the driveway, to see if they've taken Sadie up the hill to the neighbour's house to show Sadie off to one of their friends. She checks the chicken barn as she walks past. No kids up at the end of the driveway, no one at all up the hill, no sign of the kids anywhere. I step out onto the front porch and get told this.

I spent about 12 seconds inhaling in prep for calling the kids. For those of you that have heard my voice, I actively worked at projecting as strongly as I could when I exhaled on Bear-Cub's name. For those of you that haven't: I have been told, by just about everybody that has heard my voice when I slip and unconciously project a little while speaking, that my voice qualifies as a weapon. I am not exagerating in the slightest when I say that the entire valley heard me call her.

I heard what sounded like the kid's voices, off to the right of the house. I let Catchild know that I'd heard them, so that she would know that we didn't need the cops. It turns out that she had dialed the first number when I told her this. Kid's voices arguing.

"Get. Your. Butts. Home. NOW."

Cessation of argument. Bear-Cub's voice: "We're coming!" Five minutes later, they were in view. Catchild went down to meet them.

Catchild, louisadkins, and myself have all lectured them. In calm, precise voices. They each have an essay on basic wilderness survival and a story about a mommy who has lost her children to turn in. Bear-Cub has a basic report on human predators as well. She also got an age appropriate talk of a somewhat more specific nature on human predators from myself and her Uncle Louis as well.

This is the second time that they've done something like this. Bear-Cub has been informed, point-blank, that if she does this for a third time, the lecture will become more explicit. In ways that she very clearly did not want it to become.

warinbear you get to lecture them tomorrow, if you wish. I am going to go relax now. I have an incredibly vivid imagination, fueled by a knowledge of Catchild's foremost abuser, and his persistence.

And I know a fair amount of what he did to her. My mind is currently a pictoral view of Hell. No, Catchild says that Hell is nicer.

I don't think I've ever been so scared in all my adult life.

Comments

[gingicat]

As I said to Catchild, that's incredibly terrifying.

I *hope* there aren't human predators around in your area to prey on overly daring girls, but unfortunately there's just no way to know till they attack. This living in fear stuff sucks.

[suzilem.livejournal.com]

I'm glad that everyone got home safely.

[pagawne.livejournal.com]

Thanks be they are both safe. Yes, I do understand the feelings you are having right now, and they are not "pleasant", to be polite. I will tell you as I was told by a very smart cop a bit more than 30 years ago, focus on the fact they are safe, and work to keep them that way. That is really all you can do.

No need for the world to know that both my girls, sweet and gentle as they seem, can kill if need be, and have been able to since they were both in grade school. They also know it "just isn't good maners", and can get you into BIG trouble. Yes, Bill *is* a Marine, and a good one.

Hugs for you and catchild both.

[elialshadowpine]

Oh lord, honey. *big, big hugs*

Glad the kittens are okay. Mreep!

[tsjafo.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I'm glad everyone is safe.

[cerval.livejournal.com]

*big hugs* The things kids do to us... This is where the phrase "Insanity is hereditary, we get it from our children" comes from. I'm glad they're okay, and it sounds like you all gave them a slew of good reasons to not do it again!