THE DOG KNEW SOMETHING WAS WRONG BEFORE ANYONE ELSE DID

It was supposed to be a normal coffee run. I was standing in line at the cafe, half-awake, scrolling through my phone, and my dog Nino was laying beside me like he always does—quiet, well-trained, never bothers anyone.

That’s when I noticed his ears perk up. He stood, tail stiff, and stared dead ahead at something. I followed his gaze and saw a man holding a little girl’s hand.

She looked about six. Tiny. Wearing this pink jacket with cartoon cats on it. Her hair was messy, like she’d just rolled out of bed. At first, nothing seemed off—until she turned her head slightly and looked right at me.

I don’t know how to explain it. Her mouth didn’t move, but her eyes… they were screaming. She had this frozen look, like she wanted to say something but couldn’t. Nino let out this low growl. That was weird enough to make me stop everything and really look.

The man tugged her sleeve and leaned down to whisper something. She flinched. That was all it took—Nino started barking. Loud, sharp, angry barks. Everyone in line turned to stare.

The man froze. He looked straight at me, then down at Nino, then yanked the girl’s hand and started walking fast toward the door.

My heart was racing. I knew I couldn’t just watch him leave. I handed my phone to the barista and said, “Call someone. Please.”

And then I ran after them.“Hey!” I yelled. “Hey, is she with you?”

He didn’t answer. Didn’t even turn around. The girl tried to look back, but he jerked her forward again.

And that’s when this woman, mid-forties maybe, came running out of the store next door, screaming, “Sienna!”

The man froze.

The little girl whipped her head around. “Mom!”