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SAVANNAH, Georgia — Officials are looking for Sebastian Thomas, aged nine, who went missing from Forsyth Park on Thursday afternoon. His babysitter reportedly took him to the playground at his mother’s request and states she was reading a book on a nearby bench when she noticed the child was missing. After unsuccessfully searching for Thomas, she called the boy’s mother, who then contacted authorities.
The investigation is ongoing. Officials have not disclosed any possible leads or named any suspects. Witnesses have stated they do not remember a disturbance, indicating Thomas may have been taken by someone he knows.
If you have any information or think you have seen a missing person, please contact the proper authorities.
Cassie and Laura sat back and stared at each other, processing what they just discovered. It was front page news, but the paper offered little information. Not that it mattered. Cassie already knew it had ended poorly for the little boy.
Sebastian, she corrected. She knew his name now, and she was going to use it.
“Do you recognize him?” Cassie asked, having found her voice. “Is there any reason you might’ve known each other? Why he could be so interested in you?”
“Not at all.” Laura pointed to the date on the newspaper. “June 7, 1994. Even if I’d met him, I wouldn’t have remembered him. If he was in my pre-school class or Mom took me to playdates with him, she’d remember better than I would.”
They heard the creaking of the staircase. Cassie tried to hide the newspaper, but Laura grabbed her wrist.
“You could always ask her. You know, stop trying to hide this stuff from her?”
“I will,” Cassie said, but Laura didn’t look convinced. “Just not now.”
Laura let go of her wrist, and Cassie slipped the paper behind her just as their mom opened the door to the sewing room and popped her head inside.
“You’re supposed to be making this place cleaner, not dirtier. Didn’t think I’d have to tell you to pick up your toys once you made it to your thirties.”
“Sorry,” Laura and Cassie said in harmony.
“How did your phone call go?” Cassie asked.
“Mary picked up. She’s distraught, of course. I don’t think anything I said helped.”
“I’m sure it did,” Laura offered. “It might just take a minute to sink in.”
Judy nodded, but she didn’t look convinced. “Anyway, I have a doctor’s appointment. Your father can’t go with me today, so I was wondering if either of you girls would like to?”
“Is everything okay?” Cassie asked.
Judy sighed. “Part of the reason I didn’t want to tell you both about this was because I knew you’d be constantly asking me questions like that.” Her voice was light, and Cassie could tell she was trying to play it off, but it sounded like it bothered her. “Yes, everything is fine. It’s just a pre-op appointment to draw some blood and make sure nothing’s changed since the last time they did it.”
“Of course,” Cassie lied. “I’d love to.”
13
As soon as their mom left the room, Cassie groaned and fell back onto the floor. Dust tickled her nose, and she had to rub at it to make the sensation go away. “Thanks for nothing.”
Laura looked as smug as she sounded. “You’re welcome.”
Cassie picked her head up off the floor enough to glare at her sister, then thumped it back down. “I hate hospitals. I’d hate them even if I didn’t see dead people.”
“Oh.” The color drained from Laura’s face. “I’m so sorry. I can go instead—”
“No, it’s fine.” Cassie’s smile was tight. “I need to spend more time with her. One on one. If I had a choice, I would’ve chosen the mall or something, but it’s fine. Really.”
Laura nodded, but she still looked apologetic. Then her eyes brightened, and she handed the newspaper back to Cassie. “This might be a good time to talk to her about some of the stuff you’ve been experiencing?”
“It’s not exactly dinner conversation.”
“I understand that.” Laura stood and helped Cassie to her feet. “But you need to give them a chance.”
Cassie rolled her eyes, but she didn’t argue. “What are you going to do while I’m gone?”
