Just then, the doorbell rings. Without thinking, Laura goes to answer it. When she opens the door, she sees a police officer on the doorstep.
“How can I help you?” she squeaks nervously.
“Young man, have you seen a toddler girl?” the police officer asks. “Someone reported that she ran away from the park, so we’re trying to track her down.” Laura shakes her head.
“No, sir.”
“Hmm. All right. Tell you parents to call us if they see something.” Laura nods in response. The police officer leaves. Laura closes the door with a sigh of relief. She walks away.
A few minutes later, there’s heavy knocking. Laura opens the door again. The same police officer is there, but now, a neighbor is behind him, looking concerned.
“Yes?” she asks. The police officer frowns at her.
“This woman just told me that the family who lives here is out of town. Young man, where are your parents?” he demands. Laura’s mind goes blank.
“Uh…”
“That’s what I thought. You’re coming with me.” Before the police officer can grab her, Laura slams the door and locks it. The man tries to open the door, shouting at her. Laura’s heart is racing. She needs to leave, now, without being seen!
Laura rushes around the house, grabbing all of her items, then crawls out of a back window. She runs through the backyard and into another one, over and over again, until she feels like she’s far enough away. She sits down on the ground heavily, but as she does, she realizes something.