Laura gets to the crosswalk that will take her across the street to the magic shop when she feels herself being lifted into the air. She squirms, trying to break free.
“No, little girl, someone your age can’t cross the street on their own,” scolds whoever picked her up. “You’re coming back to daycare.” Laura’s blood runs cold. Daycare? The person carrying her walks towards a nearby elementary school. She can see children her current age running on a playground. This must be a school that also has a daycare.
Laura is carried inside, past lines of children who wrinkle their noses at her smell and point at her, laughing. She turns bright red at the humiliation. They enter a room with a sign reading “Daycare” on the door.
“Lucy? I found an escapee on the sidewalk,” says the person holding Laura. Laura is handed over to a chipper-looking young woman.
“A dirty escapee, too!” coos Lucy. “Thanks, I’ll take care of her from here.” Laura’s kidnapper leaves. “You must be a new attendee. I’m not surprised. We get them a lot at the beginning of the year.” Lucy brings Laura over to a changing table, strips her down, wipes her clean, and puts on a fresh diaper. “Hmm. You leaked a bit onto your clothes. I’ll grab you something else.”
Lucy turns away and rummages through a nearby bin. Laura quickly grabs the dice from the pocket of her overalls. Lucy turns back, holding a yellow dress. As she pulls it over Laura’s head, Laura prays that Lucy doesn’t discover the dice in her hand.