The Compulsive Taking

Chapter 17

Blair Westchester was very aware of her surroundings most days. Her parents taught her well from the start. Since walking and talking toddler days, she knew to avoid strangers in cars. She knew well, she did, but her curiosity got the best of her. 

She had to be extra cautious due to her last name. Her parents made sure her, and her siblings lived a normal childhood for the most part, but the idea was suddenly forgotten once a plane touched down in Los Angeles. It was not by her parents doing either, but by society's.

Even though she played carefree in her yard, Blair still worried often. She was worried whether it be paparazzi, or just common people, that one day, she might take privacy for granted and never see another ounce of it again, due to her father's celebrity status. 

She was preoccupied in her playhouse, when her eyes caught a car slowing down not too far down the road from her house. It did pass fast enough not to cause suspicion in front of the neighbors, but slow enough to observe the area. She looked around for any signs of her grandmother, or her siblings. 

She slowly ventured of her yard, looking over her shoulder every so often. She had to be careful, her nearest neighbor was a few blocks down. She had to make sure she was not caught leaving the yard. 

She was almost running to catch up to the car. Something kept telling her to turn around, but she kept walking closer and closer toward the suspicious car. She heard the horror stories of kids coming up missing this way. It was all over the news all the time. As she grew closer to the passenger window, the window rolled down. A raspy, rough voice spoke. 

"Ms. Westchester, what a pleasant surprise." 

She clutched her doll tighter, "My mommy and daddy said, I can't talk to strangers." 

The man chuckles and says, "Then, I won't keep you long." 

She turns to run back, as he calls after her, "Hey!" She turns around with her braided pigtails smacking the back of her shoulders. 

"Here, hand this to your father. Do not speak a word of this, or consequences will follow." The man holds out an envelope for her to take. She was cautious as first. Her grandmother used to tell her all the time this was how predators lured their victims. The predator would offer candy, or something that a child might favor. Once the victim grabbed the item, that's when the predator would snatch the victim up. 

Blair reached forward to take the envelope. The man did not let go right away, but instead gave her a wicked grin, "You listen well, my dear. Run along now." He finally let's go of the envelope. He speeds off in the car just as quick as he came. She made haste to return to her yard just in time to meet her grandma on the front porch. 

"Blair, I have been calling for you. Where have you been?" 

"Sorry, grandma. I was playing in my playhouse. I lost track of time." 

Her grandmother's stern look softens as she squats down to pull Blair into a hug, "It's quite alright, dear. I just don't want anything to happen to my Blair." She says, as she pinches her cheeks. 

Blair carefully hides the envelope behind her back, as her grandmother hugs her. She knew she had to be careful, or else she would be putting more than just herself at risk.