Two of my children disappeared a few years ago. They were 4 and 6, and went on an adventure. It looked like a crime scene in my house, it was obvious someone had entered our home. (It turned out to be them, briefly changing their mind before heading out again)
It was the most horrifying 20 minutes of my life. I believed they'd been taken and I would likely never see them again. I spoke to 911 in past tense. "They were wearing jeans... They were my whole life." I questioned my own story out loud, "This doesn't make sense." And "That's impossible." I remember thinking "as soon as someone hears this, they'll think i killed them. I'm going to prison." Because I've lurked here for over 7 years, and I know thats something people look for... but in the moment, i was far too hysterical to censor myself.
I am a realist and try to face problems for what they are, not what i wish they were. I don't see myself being the kind of person holding out hope for 20+ years after a kid goes missing. That's not a criticism of anyone who would. We're all wired differently, and people do come back sometimes.
Alsp FWIW my 3 year old faceplanted into the concrete today and her face is a disaster. Goose egg, black eye, scrapes.. she's a mess. Poor thing.
I think the abduction story is least likely, but it has nothing to do with tenses or a black eye. Obsessed with this case and praying for the people who truly loved Mariah.