A parents love

We were all there that day. The day they released him. Me and Kent, Bonnie and Simon, Nora and Anthony, Dustin and Patrick, and Darlene. We didn't bring the kids. I think it was Nora's idea to leave them at home. And it was Patrick's idea to go watch the release. Chad Lamb strode from the prison, wearing the smirk that had won us over six long years ago. He stopped at the gate, spotting us. Dustin waved. Darlene raised a finger to her throat and slowly dragged it across in the classic execution motion. Lamb scowled, exited the gate, and turned west, heading for the bus stop. There was an empty lot across from the prison where we waited by our cars. Lamb, I was happy to see, continuously checked over his shoulder as we watched him walk away. He wasn't afraid, but he was cautious. When he disappeared from view, Nora said flatly, 'It's time. We need to go to her now.' Three years ago, the kids had started having nightmares. They woke up crying, but would refuse to say why. They'd started making up excuse to avoid going to school. And they'd reacted with fear around Mr. Lamb, their charming, engaging new teacher. Finally, over the summer, Patrick and Dustin had taken their adopted daughter Yuan to a consular, who'd convinced her to open up. Lamb had touched her. Had touched several other students. With a little more pressing, Yuan gave a few more names. Dustin and Patrick had gone to their parents, gone to us. It was hard. I didn't want to believe it, but Stan had been so scared. He'd evaded us, refused to answer the questions at first, but finally broke down. He'd been convinced he'd get in trouble. So had Violet, Eddie, and the twins Tyler and Beatrice. Lamb had done a real number on them. The police had been wonderful. Slowly, gradually, the children built up their courage to testify. My stomach twisted as I recalled Violet breaking down in tears on the stand in court. Poor, sweet Violet. Then again, Violet wasn't sweet anymore. She went from a shy, helpless seven year old victim to a ten year old black belt with a mean streak. Six year old Kayla had the meanest, toughest sister in school. If only Beatrice had been so strong. Once again, I thanked God it hadn't been my Stan. Then felt horrible for the thought. I heard the car stop, and looked up. We were in front of her shop. I could see the other parents waiting in front of the emerald door. 'Come on.' Kent said wearily. 'She hates it when we're late for our appointments.' The shop was crowded with books, animal bones, statues of gods and fairies, strings of strange plants, and several ancient weapons. The glass counter at the back separated the public shop from the private meeting room. Darlene trudged to the counter and hit the bell once. A black curtain, emblazoned with purple eyes, was pulled aside, revealing Coda. 'Heya parentals! Today's the day, ain't it!' Coda was always cheerful, no matter what. He had long, sharp teeth, and nails to match, with eyes as yellow as candle flames. If I'd cared, I might have wondered what he was. The boy wasn't human. She had confirmed that. 'I'll get The Bone Woman, 'kay?' Coda offered, disappearing back behind the curtain. 'Come on!' He called, and we followed. As we always had. Nora had found her. I never asked how. The Bone Woman's might had been proven to me, and her effectiveness was all that mattered to me. We each took our usual seats around The Bone Woman's table, and waited. Eventually, Coda returned, leading his master by the hand. The Bone Woman's glass eyes gazed sightlessly over us as Coda gently helped her into her massive, throne like armchair. She had a thick book, bound in a shining white material. We'd seen the book before. She'd shown it to us the first time we'd visited her. The Caligo Veneficus. The Darkest Magic. One of only thirteen in the world. Bound in the flesh of a murdered priest, the stitching done in human hair, taken from a mother who died in childbirth, and the ink it was written in mixed with the blood of a hanged man. 'Are you sure?' She asked, breaking the silence. 'We're sure.' We said in unison