Lauren wouldn’t have even noticed the person sitting on the bench if Sweetie hadn’t growled. She glanced down, surprised. “What’s wrong, girl?” she asked and followed the line of Sweetie’s vision. Someone in a big hat and baggy coat was sitting on the park bench beside the parking lot. And behind the person was the blue car!

This is the final proof, thought Lauren, fear surging into her brain. There’s no mistaking it now. There aren’t any other kids here. The driver of the blue and white car is following me. Not Piper or the other kids at the bus stop. Just me!

As Lauren watched, Big Hat raised a camera from his lap and pointed it toward her. His finger twitched on the button. Lauren’s mouth dropped open and her hands slowly clenched into fists. Anger trickled into her mind, creeping over top of her fear. How dare this person follow her! How dare he take her picture! Without thinking, she took a step toward Big Hat, and then another. “Hey!” she yelled. “Who are you?” Sweetie tugged on the leash, pulling Lauren closer. Big Hat jumped up. The camera fell from his lap and bounced across the grass. He hurried to pick it up, his movements jerky. Almost panicky.

Lauren blinked her eyes. This wasn’t what she was expecting: the watcher wasn’t supposed to be afraid of her. Sweetie! He’s afraid of Sweetie, she realized. This is my chance to find out who he is…