The Moment I Realized I Was in Danger

And suddenly everything clicked like someone flipped a switch in my head. He didn't have a

badge. He didn't have a lanyard. He didn't ask what my parents looked

like. He never said his name. I felt that cold, heavy fear that

only a kid can feel when they finally realize something is terribly wrong. When he let go of

my hand for half a second to check his phone, I bolted. I ran down the stairs

so fast I nearly tripped. I didn't stop. I just ran and ran until the noise

of the crowd got louder again. When I looked back once, he was still up

there, watching me, smiling.