The Appointment

Susan carefully wrapped the baby in his blanket and laid him in the stroller. She smiled as she bent down to kiss his smooth face. Susan couldn’t help but smile as his nose brushed against her cheek. She hesitated as she looked into the baby’s brown eyes. Susan couldn’t help but notice how peaceful and still they looked.
“Don’t worry, mommy will never let anything happen to you.” Susan promised as she carefully covered him up.
Susan pushed the stroller through the lobby of the Department of Children and Family Services. She could feel the fear growing inside of her. Susan hesitated before finally deciding to head for the elevator; she took a deep breath and looked down at the baby stroller.
“I’ve got to make them understand.” She said pushing the elevator button.
As the elevator moved up the building, Susan watched silently as the numbers changed. 1… The motion of the elevator made her body feel like Jello, 2… she could feel her knees beginning to buckle, 3… the queasy feeling in her stomach made her want to throw up, 4… she wanted to run away, but it was too late. 5… 6… 7… the elevator continued moving bringing her closer and closer to the inevitable.
The elevator doors opened in slow motion. Susan felt like she was in a dream, like she was watching a movie… like nothing was real anymore. Susan stepped out of the elevator. The sound of her heart beating was thunderous. She could hear it pumping faster and faster, harder and harder until it felt as if her heart was being ripped out of her body.
Susan felt sick. She wanted to throw up, but she knew she had to go on for her baby. As she walked towards her social workers office, he stepped out.
“Ms Phillips, I told you not to come back…” Susan didn’t let him finish. She was going to make all of the choices this time.
There was silence… dead silence as Susan looked around. Not one person was moving. They were all lifeless in their fancy suits and clothes. Susan looked down at her torn dress and worn shoes and sighed.
“I can provide for my baby. I can.” She said beginning to feel afraid.
Susan looked down at her shaking hands. The blood flowed freely now. It was too terrible to think about…
“My baby.” Susan screamed suddenly remembering.
She ran over to the stroller and looked down at the baby. Susan smiled. He was still sleeping. Relieved she pushed the stroller over to the elevator and pushed the button.
“Don’t you worry, nobody’s ever going to bother us again.” Susan promised as tears filled her eyes.
1…2… Susan watched the elevator as it moved closer. 4…5…
The doors of the elevator opened and officer Jackson motioned for his partner to cover him. He was careful not to step out the elevator. Slowly he stuck his head around the corner and looked outside. Jackson quickly put his head back in the elevator. He rested his body against the wall trying to catch his breath.
“What is it?” His partner asked.
Jackson was too stunned to answer, all he could see were the bodies, and blood splattered all over the wall. Jackson took a deep breath to compose himself, and then motioned for his partner to cover him.
As Jackson stepped out of the elevator, he stumbled over the body of a dead woman lying next to a baby stroller. He bent down and put his hand over her eyes closing them.
“Check on the baby.” His partner urged.
Jackson stood up and went over to the stroller. He reached down to pick up the baby and was surprised to find that it was only a doll.