Once at home the little family settled into a routine pretty fast. Except for one nagging problem: Dr. Warner. He showed up one day at their doorstep, asking if he could see Connor. Kerry was furious and threatened to call the cops on him for trespassing. He left, but Kerry was left unsettled and anxious.

She called her mother who immediately went to court for a restraining order. And for a short while all seems well.

For Kerry and Bill it was fun to see how their son grew up and got stronger from day to day. The young mother soon found out that the colors who showed his emotions were tremendously helpful in taking care of him. She learned that “hunger” was a pale green, content was a blue shade and if he was cranky he changed to brown. One day she saw him all black and screaming to the high heavens. Connor was reaching for the mobile she put him under to play but he couldn’t reach the little figures, clearly frustrating him.

Kerry laughed, picked him up and fed him. His color changed soon to the pale blue she came to like, because it means he was happy and content. She shared every little story with Bill who was also proud of him. Not once they thought he was strange. Connor was their perfect little sunshine and both didn’t want to have him any different.

When Connor was six month old Kerry noticed a little difference. The shades became more prominent, almost like squares and circles running over his skin. He wasn’t complete covered anymore, it was a geometric sign every now and then. With frayed borders, but it was recognizable.

It was one evening when Bill cradled his son who was just too happy to sleep at Daddy's chest. He looked at his wife. “Do you think he will lose this colorthing now?” he asked her. Kerry, snuggled firmly to his side, looked at their son and shook her head. “No, I don’t think he will ever lose it. It almost seems like they evolved. They became more detailed.” Bill smiled at her. “Our little warrior.”

When Connor started to walk the geometric figures had clear borders and were clearly visible. They wandered about his whole body, showing how he felt. The faster they wandered the more intense his emotions were. Bill was busy during the day but he never failed to lay his son down. Both were proud parents and pretended not to see the weird gazes they get when somebody saw their perfect little son.

Kerries mother was a regular visitor also. She adored her little grandson and his funny antics.

When Connor became two years old his parents organized a little birthday party for him in the backyard with Barbecue and lots of presents. Connor tore through the wrapped gifts like any toddler and then played with his new toys while the adults enjoyed the slight breeze and the beautiful afternoon.

They were in the middle of a conversation when the door rings. Bill got up and went to the door, Kerry and Becka went to the kitchen, dropping off the dishes and to fetch some fresh beverages.

When Bill opened the door he looked around. No one was in sight. He shrugged his shoulders and closed the door again when he heard a blood curdling scream from his wife: “CONNOR!”

He ran to the backyard as fast as possible, followed by his mother in law. They found Kerry running around frantically. “Connor, don’t play hide and seek”. she begged, looking for their son all around. Bill couldn’t see any trace of him, and neither could Becka.

“Kerry STOP” the older woman shouted, but Kerry in her frantic state didn’t listen. “Bill, get her on the porch, now. She is destroying all evidence.” she claimed and Bill, still in shock, went to her, wrapping her in his arms.

Kerry struggled. “No, Bill, no, no, no, I have to look for Connor, he must be here somewhere.” she cried, but Bill lifted her up and carried her to the porch. “He is gone” he told her when it hit him. His son was gone. With that he lost it. “He is gone, Kerry.” with that Kerry melted down, crying. Becka, seeing that both parents apparently now were not acting any longer like headless chickens, snatched her phone and dialed 911.

She knew exactly who abducted her grandson. And she would made it her personal task to let him pay for this.

Penny by Penny.