We were only supposed to be grabbing a funnel cake.
It was your typical neighborhood fair—music thumping through speakers, booths lining the sidewalks, balloons floating through the air. I had Alina’s sticky hand in mine, still coated in cotton candy, when she suddenly stopped. Completely still.
That’s when I saw him—a sheriff crouched to her level, wearing a practiced smile.
Something about the moment made my stomach twist.
I’m her dad. I know this kid better than anyone. She’s a whirlwind most days—chatting up everyone, bouncing around, curious about everything.
But right then? Nothing. Not a twitch. Her body was stiff, her eyes locked on him like she’d just seen something she couldn’t process.
All the color drained from my face. I could feel my pulse in my ears. I bent down, gently tugging her hand, hoping to break the spell.
“Alina? You okay, sweetheart?” My voice cracked just a little.
No answer. She just stared at him, barely breathing. The sheriff gave me a quick nod and a calm voice.
“She’s fine,” he said. “Probably just startled. I just said hello.”
But something about the way he said it… too smooth. Too quick. My gut clenched.
I dropped to my knees beside her, my hand resting gently on her arm. “Alina, talk to me. What’s going on?”
She blinked once, then whispered, just loud enough for me to hear:
“I don’t want to go with him, Daddy.”
The words hit like ice water down my spine. My breath caught in my throat. The sheriff’s grin faltered for half a beat before he pasted it back on.
“There’s no need to be scared,” he said with a little chuckle. “We were just chatting. I’m here to help.”
But Alina didn’t believe him—and neither did I.
I stood and shifted her behind me, my body a wall between them. “Why is she scared of you?” I asked, keeping my tone even but firm.
He hesitated. Just for a second. But it was enough. The smile stayed on his face, but his eyes darted.
“I’m just doing my job,” he said casually. “Nothing to be concerned about.”
But I was concerned. Deeply. My daughter didn’t freeze for no reason. And the man in uniform, the one who should’ve made her feel safe? He was the one she feared.