It all started as a normal Friday night. 

“Hadley, go walk your dog,” Mom shouted. 

“I'm busy!”

I heard a book slam on the island and stomps coming up the stairs. I rolled my eyes and got up off my bed and put down my phone. I was putting my shoes on when Mom busted open the door and glared at me. 

“Go,” she said. 

I just stared at her. Can't she see that I’m getting ready? I put on a coat and blew past her and down the stairs to where my black lab was sitting on the couch. 

“Bailey! Want to go for a walk?” I asked. 

She quickly jumped up and followed me to the door where I put her glowing necklace on - so that the cars could see her. I grabbed a flashlight and hooked her leash onto her collar. We started down the street and headed for our normal loop. It was only about 8:00 but it was already dark. Just as we were about to reach my neighbors house, a car pulled up next to me. The man in the car slowed down, almost coming to a full stop, and stared me down as he slowly drove away. 

Weird, I thought. We kept walking and I forgot all about him until he came back once we reached the end of my street. Again, he stopped and looked at me then started going again. This time I was a little freaked out. Once he left I ran. 

“C’mon Bailey,” I called her.

We ran down and around a corner and stopped. I figured he couldn't find us there but sadly, I was wrong. Again, he pulled up next to us but this time, he turned around and drove the other way. We ran again down the street and stopped once we were around the corner. I turned off Bailey’s light because I didn't want to be seen anymore. I wanted to go back home. We kept walking and I didn't see him for a while. That is, until we got back to my street. I turned the corner and there he was. Standing against the side of his car, he jumped up when he saw me. I froze and tried to run but my legs weren't working. Bailey barked and I yelped as I turned and ran but he was already too close. He grabbed me and I dropped the leash. 

“Bailey!” I tried to scream but he covered my mouth with a cloth and I slowly started to feel tired. 

Once I woke up I was in the back of a car. 

“Mom?” I asked quietly, praying it was her. 

A man who looked like he was in his early 20s turned around. He looked scared and confused. I sat up. Mason? No it can’t be. 

“I haven't seen you in a long time, Bailey. How are you?” he asked, his voice quivering. 

No, this can't be happening. I put my head in my hands as my eyes started to water. Mason is in jail! He can't be here. Years ago Mason worked as my babysitter but he was fired when we caught him stealing money from my mothers safe. When we called the police he flipped out and tried to escape. He was caught and put into jail and I haven't seen him since - until now. 

It was quiet for a while until I built up my courage to speak. 

“Where are we going?” I demanded. 

He laughed nervously but kept his eyes on the road. It was already dark and I was still tired so I decided to rest my eyes for a little while while we drove to wherever we were going. I woke up to a big thud. He muttered something under his breath and got out of the car to see what it was. I looked around to see where we were but all I could see were trees. I recognized the forest but I didn’t know why. Mason opened my door and yanked me out of the car and he held my arm as we started up a hill. Mount Equinox? I haven't been here since...since Mason took me years ago. I know how to escape. 

We got to the top of the mountain and stopped at our old picnic spot. 

“Get comfortable,” he said, “you’re going to be here a while.” 

I glared at him and sat in front of a big rock and leaned against it. Hours passed and I made sure to stay awake until he fell asleep. Then I snuck past him and started down the back side of the mountain, which I knew like the back of my hand. I stepped over every fallen tree with no trouble even in the dark. The moon guided me through the forest. Suddenly I heard a thwack, thwack, thwack. Something was wacking the trees and leaves.  I froze in my tracks. What is that? Soon, I learned that it wasn't a what, but a who. 

“Bailey!” 

The sound was her tail wagging once she smelled me. She had found me! I called her and we went down the mountain together. Once we got to the road we waited until a car came and I waved my hands in the air frantically so they would stop. They did and luckily it was a police officer. I told him all of what had just happened and he called for backup and put me in the car. Once more cops arrived they headed up the mountain while I waited with Bailey in the car. After a few minutes they came down with Mason in handcuffs. He was screaming. 

“Please let me go! I didn’t hurt her! I just wanted some money!” 

The officers shoved him into the back of a car and took him away. I finally got driven home where my mom was waiting for me right at the front door. She ran and hugged me and thanked the officer. It was a crazy night but at least now I don't have to walk Bailey at night.