This is a true story that happened when I was 8 years old. Always grateful for my "hero"! |
1972 by Cheryl Campbell A little girl, just eight years old, wants to go for a walk. She pleads with her mom, who finally gives in and watches her skip down the block. No longer in her mother's sight, she happily walks along. Unaware that nearby, a stranger lurks; the plans in his mind so wrong. She turns toward the drug store to spend the nickel she found she just had to buy some bubble gum with the coin she saw on the ground. Purchase made, she now heads back the same way from which she'd come. Oblivious to the danger ahead all because she wanted some gum. Walking in her little girl world still thinking about her luck, she didn't notice the man just ahead who was waiting beside his truck. His approach was quite sudden; she was completely surprised. "My truck ran out of water," he said "and I need your help," he lied. "If you'll just get in and ride with me, I will bring you right back home. I promise it won't take very long but I just can't find it alone." She said, "I need to ask my mom, she's just right down the road." He told her just to jump on in, and she went into panic mode. She knew she was in trouble in more ways than just the one. But suddenly her luck was back and she realized her battle was won. For coming around the corner was her pal and hero-to-be. The local small-town officer was coming to set her free. He asked if the guy was trying to get her to go with him. She said yes and he denied it, but his future was looking grim. The officer told her to run on home and he took the guy away. Of course she did as she was told and the story she did relay. Her mom was not long going to the station to face this creep. But unfortunately, luck was on his side, they let him back out on the street. They only slapped his dear little hand and sent him on his way. Told him to never come back again, or next time he'd have hell to pay. So he went about his merry way and right on back to work. They never heard from him again, at least this town was safe from this jerk. But where he went next was anyone's guess and never was it known whether he found more victims along the way or if he left well enough alone. The little girl wonders e'en to this day (almost 40 years have gone by) if she would even be alive right now if it weren't for her hero's great eye! |