it was a little later than rain usually liked to be out. she was just on a walk through a nearby neighborhood, and the weather had been so nice that she stayed out longer than usual. she was on her way back home when she felt a hand on her shoulder.

she jumped, but before she could decide whether she wanted to run, the stranger started speaking to her in a soft voice.

"are you lost?"

it was gentle enough that some of her tension left her, even though her heart was still pounding from the surprise. she turned to look at him. "i'm fine, i'm just walking back home..."

"do you know where your house is?" he asked slowly and delicately.

it was such a weird thing to be asked. she was a grown woman out on a walk, of course she knew where her house was.

before she could answer, he continued, his hand wrapping around hers. "you poor thing... you don't know, do you?"

she was going to pull away and protest, to tell him that she did know, but she suddenly had the feeling that she wasn't sure which direction she was going anymore.

a strange kind of fear and confusion was bubbling up inside of her, a familiar feeling deep inside of her that she couldn't really put her finger on.

"do you at least know the general area?" he asked.

blood rushed to her face. "it's..." why couldn't she remember? "i don't know," she said quietly, looking down at the ground, like she thought she was going to get in trouble for not knowing, or something. "it's not in this neighborhood..."

the world around her just felt so big. the stranger was so tall. everything was just so overwhelming. she didn't know why she didn't know the things she was supposed to know. why was she out this late? why did she wander away so far from home? she wasn't supposed to be doing this.

"it's alright," he said in a soothing voice, petting her head with his other hand. "i'm going to help you, alright? but a little girl like you shouldn't be out on your own, especially when it's so dark out... why don't we go to my house, and we can get everything sorted out after you've calmed down and eaten something?"

"i shouldn't..." she muttered.

"i know you've been taught not to talk to strangers," he said. "but you're lost, aren't you? you need help, don't you?"

she nodded, on the verge of tears.

"shh... it's alright. look at me, sweetheart."

she looked up, as much as she didn't want to.

"that's it. just take some deep breaths... can you do that for me? in and out, through your stomach. that's it... just like that... very good. you're safe now. doesn't that feel a little better?"

she squeezed his hand. "maybe a little..."

"good. just come with me, alright? can you still walk, or do you want me to carry you?"

"i can walk..."

she followed him, feeling a little weird and dreamy, and confused. but it was comforting holding his hand... it was comforting listening to his voice. he seemed nice. he would sort things out. he knew what was going on.

"i have some games and dolls at my house that you can play with," he said as they stepped along the sidewalk. "do you like dolls?"

"i do..."

"a little treat might help you feel better, too. what kind of ice cream do you like?"

"um... well i like a lot of them... maybe chocolate chip..."

the more they talked, the more calm she felt. the more natural it felt.

"we're almost there," he said after a while. "is it getting close to your bedtime? are you feeling sleepy? you must be so sleepy right now..."

her legs were heavy. she rubbed her eyes. "well, i'm not that sleepy..."

"are you fighting it because you're excited about the dolls and treats? they'll still be there tomorrow... it's alright if you're already feeling tired tonight... it's alright if you're getting sleepy..."

by the time they finally stepped through the door, and he guided her to the couch, wrapping her in a warm blanket, her eyelids felt heavy. he stroked her hair, speaking to her in an even softer voice.

"you poor thing... you must be exhausted... it's alright now... you can just sleep..."

she couldn't help but lean against him, her eyes closing as she started to drift off.

"that's it... such a sleepy girl, aren't you? i'm sure you'll still be sleepy, even when you wake up... you'll want some cereal... you'll want to play with the dolls... you might even forget all about being lost... but you know i'll take good care of you, don't you?"

she nodded, just before everything melted away into a sweet dream.