Effie finally let out a breath of relief and hurried over to the girl, helping her sit up. "Hey, are you alright? Are you hurt anywhere?"


    The girl''s cheeks were streaked with tears. Her voice trembled as she stammered, "Thank you... They tried to steal my bag. They-they wanted to hurt me... If you hadn''te, I don''t know what would''ve happened..."


    "It''s over now. The police are on their way," Effie said softly, trying to calm her down.


    The girl wiped her eyes, her voice barely above a whisper. "I just... I want to go home now."


    Effie gently patted her back. "You''re safe, I promise. The police will be here any minute and they''ll take care of everything. Do you think you can stand? If you want, you can rest in my car for a bit."


    The girl nodded. Effie helped her to her feet, but the girl''s legs were still shaking badly-she was clearly terrified.


    Supporting her carefully, Effie led her to the car and settled her into the back seat, then handed her a bottle of water.


    "What''s your name? And how did you end up here all alone?" Effie asked, her voice gentle.


    The girl sniffled, still choking back tears. "I''m Ynde... I live in a vige nearby. I was walking home from school, taking a shortcut, and those two guys... they jumped out of nowhere, tried to grab my backpack, and then..."


    Ynde couldn''t finish. Fresh tears spilled down her cheeks.


    Effie squeezed her hand. "Hey, you''re safe now. The police will handle it from here, I promise."


    Just then, two police cruisers pulled up with sirens shing. Officers spilled out, quickly approaching to assess the situation.


    Effie gave a brief ount of what had happened and pointed out the direction the attackers had run off.


    The officers immediately began searching the area, while a female officer came over to check on Ynde and take her statement.


    One of the older officers turned to Effie. "Thank goodness you called when you did. Things could''ve turned out much worse. But you really shouldn''t confront dangerous people alone-it''s risky. Next time, try to stay safe and call us first." Effie nodded. "I know. I didn''t think-it just happened so fast."


    He managed a small smile. “You were very brave. But next time, you can watch from your car and wait for us."


    "I understand. I''ll be more careful," Effie promised.


    When everything was settled, Ynde looked up at Effie, her voice timid. "Would you... would you mind taking me home? My parents must be worried sick."


    Effie smiled reassuringly. "Of course. It''s on my way. I''m headed to the factory, so I''ll drop you off."


    Once the police confirmed the statements were done and there was nothing more for them to do, Effie led Ynde to her car, and they pulled away from the scene. Effie asked for Ynde''s address, then steered the car in that direction.


    Ynde, exhausted, soon drifted off to sleep in the back seat.


    Every now and then, Effie nced in the rearview mirror, checking on her. Seeing Ynde fast asleep, she eased up on the gas and drove a little slower.


    Ynde''s house wasn''t far-about half an hour away. If Effie kept going left from there, she''d reach the factory in another thirty minutes. Dropping Ynde off wouldn''t set her back.


    After about twenty minutes, Ynde was still sound asleep in the back.


    The road was getting narrower now, and thendscape was growing more and more remote. Effie''s brow furrowed as a prickle of unease crept in.


    Was Ynde''s house really out here?


    She nced around at the empty fields and woods. Not a single house in sight.