Sarah threw her backpack over her shoulder as she left the local YMCA. She helped out there giving kids swim lessons and helping them out with their homework. In exchange she was able to shower there and use some of their supplies. That really helped her keep her monthly bills low. She worked at a restaurant as many nights a week as they would allow to make ends meet, but there were times she barely scraped by. She didn't let that dampen her outlook though. She was always great with the kids. She always had a smile on her face and something positive to say.
She hugged her coat closer to herself as she walked home. She lived in a studio apartment a few blocks away. Most of the year it wasn't a bad walk. It could actually be quite pleasant. But this time of year when you could see the breath in front of your face as you exhaled was not one of those times.
She was heading down her street walking along the sidewalk to her building. It wasn't really in a great part of town, but it was what she could make work. And she did her best to avoid the shady people of the area. She was at her building now heading up the steps looking forward to sitting down inside with a blanket for a little while before she had to get ready for work. She had only made it up one step when someone had come up behind her.
"Excuse me. I was hoping you could tell me if you've seen someone I've been looking for." A tall man said. He was about eye level with her as she stood on the stoop. He had a black knit had covered the tip of his eyes. He wasn't someone that she had seen around here before.
"I just came from down that way and I didn't pass anyone." Sarah replied.
"Do you mind if I show you a picture? Maybe you've seen her around and can point me in the right direction?"
"Sure." Sarah answered with a smile. She was cold and really just wanted to get inside, but she wasn't the type of person to turn away someone in need.
"She's about your height. Dark brown hair. Hazel eyes." The man said as he dug around in the pocket of his leather jacket. "Here we go."
She stepped closer to him to get a better look at the picture, but instead of a picture he held a cloth in his hand. He quickly pushed it against her face and wrapped his arm around her to try and prevent her from struggling. It all happened so suddenly Sarah didn't really have much time to react. She began to breathe deeply as she tried to get away, but that only caused her to inhale whatever chemical was on the rag. Before she knew what was going on she started to go limp. The man quickly threw her into the back seat of a car that he had parked right outside of her apartment and drove off.