As the car pulled up, I parked in our usual spot and took a deep breath of the fresh mountain air before rolling up the window. Looking behind me I see my little girl laying with her head against the window and her mouth open, drool all over her chin. Wanting to let her get a bit more rest, I opened the car door and looked around. We took a vacation at my parent’s cabin every few months, it was a pretty run down place without hot water and barely functioning electricity. But we loved it here, it was an escape from the trivial actions of everyday life. The cabin had a pitched roof, few windows high on the walls, and a deck out front. There was a driveway and a small clearing with a fire pit in front of the cabin. I stretched my legs and back before walking up to the door and unlocking it, the inside of the cabin had been left the same as the last time we were there, but with more dust. I opened the windows and started a fire in the fireplace, it was already 7:00 and would be dark soon. I turned to leave, but the door was closed and locked. Not odd for an old house on a windy day. Heading back outside, I quickly noticed something wrong, the car was gone. My breath quickened as I ran down to the parking space that was previously occupied by my car with my sleeping daughter in it. How could this have happened? I reached for my pocket, I still had the car keys. Wouldn’t I have heard something? The cabin was only ten feet from the car and the forest is silent and has been since we got here. My heart was beating out of my chest. What do I do? Before I can think I’m already running down the dirt road, directly into the forest. I call my daughters name as I run as fast as I can trying to keep my balance on the uneven road. In the distance I see a cabin, maybe they can help me. The closer I get, I realize that’s my parent’s cabin with my car in the drive way. I don’t recall turning around at any point, but in my panic i could have. I ran to the car and quickly opened the door to see my beautiful and safe six year old daughter sitting in the backseat.

“Hi mommy, are you okay?” She questioned, noticing my distress. I wrapped her in a tight embrace, glad to have her in my arms again.

“Everything is just fine lovebug, mommy isn’t feeling well, so I think we’re going to head home. Is that okay?I’ll buy you some ice cream on the way back.” She excitedly nodded her head and buckled her seatbelt again. I ran up and locked the still open cabin door before driving off, not planning to return soon.