THE SENTINEL 

By Tessa Harvey

    Eliza Schonbaum drove merrily for a long time feeling like a newly-fledged bird, but slowly a vague apprehension grew.

    She tried the car radio but none of the music soothed her, seeming discordant and out of place. 

    As she approached the city, her disquiet grew. Seeing a scenic viewpoint approaching, the woman indicated and pulled off the highway. The view was marvellous, the mountains already snow-tipped on the distant high rocky outcrops. Streams shone silver in hesitant sunshine, casquading downwards, their purpose sure.

    Eliza liked the small town near her home, a village really, and the distant vista drew an old bitterness of loss. Her husband Karl had disappeared, lost from an almost indistinguishable hiking trail. She had followed it for days - searching, searching until overcome with exhaustion she had fled for refuse to the plateau.

    Had she hurt her children? Sylvia had grown resentful. What of Theodor? Was his difference her fault? I must go on, Eliza decided. All will be well.

    

    Theodor was very cold. He knew it was very late by the darkening night. He had his mobile on loud in his trouser pocket. They were his warm special trousers from Sylvia for an early gift. The thought came to him then. Did Sylvie know she would not come? He felt sad about that, but now fear was beginning to burn in his chest and stomach. Something must have happened.

    Headlights! A wild joy squashed his fear, but......they were the wrong way. A different car pulled up beside him. Alice looked at him. She had been crying.

    Alice's mum came slowly, trying to close her car door quickly which, as Theo knew, was hard to do.

    "Have you seen mum?" he asked, frightened.

    "Are you lost, Theodor?" the woman asked. She seemed unsure. Alice got out of the car and slammed the door. She was angry. "Mum!" she shouted, "I told you he is not slow. His house is just there. Please Theo, help us. Ask your mum, will she let us inside for a while to explain?"