It was a bright sunny day, Julia had taken Susannah to the park.
When they got to the park, Julia sat on a bench, and watched Susannah play with her friends.
As she continued to watch, Julia heard a voice, "Dr. Ogden"
She turned to her left, "nurse James."
"Valerie, please. May I?" And points to the bench
"Oh, yes, please" as Julia scooted over
As Valerie sat down, she asked, "is that your daughter, with the blue ribbon in her hair, and the teddy bear in her arm?"
"Yes, Susannah. She's 4"
"She's beautiful. Looks so much like you"
"Really? When I look at her, I see so much of her father."
"Well she has your curly hair and blue eyes"
"Yes, that she has. What brings you to the park, Valerie?"
"I was visiting my sister, and decided to take a walk through the park, that's when I saw you"
"Very nice. I had the day off, but my husband was working, so I suggested the park and Susannah, shouted yes!"
The ladies continued laughing and talking, when they heard a woman screaming in the distance. Julia took a quick glance at Susannah, and saw she was playing hide and seek with a friend, and ran to the voice.
"Help me, please!" Said the frantic woman
"It's alright, I am here to help. What happened?" Julia asked
"This man came out of nowhere, as I was walking down the trail and stole my purse."
"Ok, do you know what he looked like and what direction he took off too?"
"He had a mask on, but ran that way" she said as she pointed to the direction
"Ok, Valerie, you stay with…what's your name?"
"Sally, Sally Jackson"
"Ok, stay with Sally, I'll see if I can get your purse back"
"But, Julia, he could be dangerous."
"Don't worry, I'll be fine" as Julia went in search of the man and purse.
It took her 5 minutes to find the purse, in a bush, and walked back to Valerie and Sally, "is this it?"
"Yes, thank you" and searched the purse, "nothing was taken, strange"
"Maybe your scream, scared him off" Julia said
"Maybe"
As the women walked back to the children, Julia looked around for Susannah, "where is my daughter? She was at that tree 5 minutes ago"
"Maybe she's hiding in the trees" Valerie said
Julia walked up to the trees and looked up, "Susannah, where are you?" And noticed her one friend she was playing with Victoria, crying, "Victoria, where is Susannah and why are you crying?"
"I tried to help her, but he took her."
Julia's throat fell into her stomach, "who?"
"Some man. She was hiding behind a tree and he snatched her from behind."
"What did the man look like and what direction, did he take her?"
She pointed to her right, "he wore a mask, but he went that way. I really tried to help but I fell and tripped. I'm so sorry"
"It's ok, Victoria, you tried your best. You stay here, and don't move till I come back"
She nodded as Julia ran to the direction, calling out for Susannah.
Trying to be strong and brave but in reality wanted to cry, "Susannah! Susannah!" As she stopped to take a breath, and looked around, "Susannah! Susannah!"
Nothing but trees, around, "Susannah!"
