The sun hung low in the sky, casting long golden shadows across the quiet streets of Amberville. Twelve-year-old Clara skipped along the sidewalk, her backpack bouncing lightly with every step. School was out for the day, and the promise of her mom’s homemade cookies awaited her at home.
She usually walked with her older brother, Ben, but he’d stayed late for soccer practice. Clara was confident, though. She knew the route like the back of her hand—turn left at Maple Avenue, cross the park, and head straight down Lilac Lane.
As she reached the edge of the park, a man sitting on a bench caught her eye. He looked ordinary enough, wearing a checkered shirt and holding a bag of brightly colored candies. His smile was warm, and his eyes crinkled as he waved.
“Hello there,” he called out, his voice gentle. “Are you on your way home from school?”
Clara paused. Her mom always told her not to talk to strangers, but the man didn’t seem threatening. Besides, the candy looked delicious.
“Yes,” she replied hesitantly, taking a small step forward.
“Well, you look like someone who loves sweets,” he said, holding out the bag. “I’ve got extras today. Would you like one?”
Clara hesitated. She thought about the times her mom had warned her about strangers offering treats. But the man didn’t seem scary. He looked like someone’s friendly uncle, and her stomach was growling.
“Just one,” she said, inching closer.
He handed her a piece—a small, pink hard candy wrapped in a shiny wrapper. “Enjoy! Oh, and if you’d like more, I’ve got plenty. My car’s just over there.”
Clara froze. The car was parked at the edge of the park, a gray sedan with the trunk open. She didn’t recognize it, and something about the man’s tone made her uneasy.
“I… I should get home,” Clara stammered, taking a step back.
“Oh, don’t be silly,” the man said, his smile faltering just a little. “It’s not far. Just a quick walk, and then you can take as much candy as you like.”
Clara’s heart began to race. The sunny park, which had felt so welcoming moments ago, now seemed shadowed and unfamiliar. She clutched her backpack tightly. “No, thank you,” she said firmly and turned to walk away.
But as she hurried toward the street, she realized she’d taken a wrong turn. The usual path through the park was nowhere in sight. Trees loomed around her, their branches twisting like dark fingers. Panic bubbled in her chest.
“Wait!” The man called after her. His footsteps crunched on the gravel path. Clara didn’t turn back. She ran, her shoes pounding against the ground as she darted deeper into the park.
She didn’t know where she was going. All she could think about was putting distance between her and the man. Her breathing was ragged by the time she stumbled into a clearing.
The man was gone. But so was any sign of the street or her usual route. Clara was lost.
Tears stung her eyes as she tried to catch her breath. She pulled out her phone, her fingers shaking. But there was no signal in the dense cluster of trees.
Clara sank to the ground, hugging her knees. She felt small and scared. She thought about her mom and Ben, who must be wondering where she was. Her mom’s words echoed in her mind: Always trust your instincts, and never follow a stranger.
She shouldn’t have taken the candy. She shouldn’t have stopped at all.
Just then, a bark startled her. Clara looked up to see a dog bounding toward her, its tail wagging furiously. Behind it was a woman in a bright orange vest, holding a leash.
“Are you okay, sweetheart?” the woman asked, kneeling down beside Clara.
“I… I’m lost,” Clara admitted, her voice trembling. “And there was this man…”
The woman’s face grew serious. “It’s alright now. My name’s Officer Jenna, and this is Scout. We’re part of the park patrol. You’re safe with us.”
Clara’s tears spilled over, but this time, they were tears of relief. She explained everything as they walked back toward the main path, Scout trotting happily by her side.
By the time they reached the street, Clara’s mom was there, her face pale with worry. She hugged Clara tightly, thanking Officer Jenna profusely.
That night, Clara sat at the kitchen table with a warm plate of cookies in front of her. She thought about how a seemingly ordinary afternoon had turned into something so frightening.
She vowed never to stray from what she knew was safe. Trust was something precious, and she would be more careful about where she placed it.
From then on, Clara always walked home with Ben—and never, ever let her curiosity lead her astray again.