Kid Walking Home From School Spots Stranger Tail, Uses His Mother's Trick to Outsmart the Pursuer – Story of the Day

Ethan, an 11-year-old boy, is walking home alone from school when he spots a strange man following him in a van. As the man's dark intentions unfold, Ethan must think quickly to escape his clutches, but how will he do that amidst constant surveillance?

Ethan walked toward the stage, his heart racing with excitement. He had secured first place in the school science Olympiad, and it was a big day for him.

"Congratulations, Ethan. You were amazing," his science teacher, Mrs. Johnson, praised him and handed him the trophy.

Ethan, beaming with pride, accepted the award. At just 11, winning first place was a monumental achievement for him. However, his joy dimmed as he scanned the crowd for his mother, Maria. She had promised to come but was nowhere to be seen.

As the event concluded, Ethan sat alone, his gaze fixed on the door, hoping Maria would appear at any moment. Eventually, he pulled out his phone and saw a message from her: "I'm so sorry, sweetheart! Got caught up at work, and I won't be able to come! But I'm so proud of you, Ethan."

Anger and disappointment welled up inside him. Maria always seemed to prioritize work over him, especially since his dad passed away a year ago. Ethan felt neglected and hurt. "I wish Dad was here," he muttered, recalling how other parents had celebrated their kids' achievements.

As Ethan was about to leave the hall, Jackson, his neighbor and senior at school, approached him.

"Hey, buddy! Congrats!" Jackson said. "This calls for a celebration!"

Ethan forced a smile. "Thanks, Jackson. I wish Mom had made it. She said she was busy again."

"Cheer up, dude. My folks are often tied up with work, too. But they mean well," Jackson reassured him.

Ethan sighed, acknowledging Jackson's words, but still felt the sting of his mother's absence. He left the hall, his trophy in his bag and his heart heavy, knowing that even though Maria would apologize once she was home, it wouldn't change how he felt.

As he walked home alone, Ethan decided not to invite her to any more school events. She just never showed up. And he knew that even today, she would probably be home late, and he would have to help himself with something from the fridge for lunch. He decided he would order pizza and watch TV. He deserved to have some fun.

Ethan's thoughts were cut short by the distant hum of an engine. He glanced over his shoulder and saw an old panel van following him. He kept walking, ignoring the vehicle.

But soon, the van slowed down beside him, and a hunchbacked, disheveled man rolled down the window. "Ethan, right?" the man grumbled. "I'm Bill. You've got to come with me. Something terrible happened to your mom!"

Ethan was scared. He knew Maria was a workaholic and believed the man's words for a minute. "What? What happened to Mom?" he stammered.

"She's in the hospital!" Bill replied urgently. "Get in the van, and I'll take you to her!"

Ethan hesitated, recalling Maria's advice about staying away from strangers. "Wait. Which hospital? Can I speak to someone there?" he asked.

Bill grew frustrated. "Stop asking questions, kid, and get in!"

Ethan sensed something was off. He sneakily reached for his phone in his pocket while conversing with Bill. "What was Mom wearing today, Bill?" he asked nervously, stepping away from the van.

Bill's temper flared. "Kid, stop being difficult! Your mom needs you—Hey! Hey! Stop!"

Ethan's instincts kicked in, and he turned to walk away, picking up his pace. When he heard Bill restarting the engine behind him, panic gripped him. "Come on, Mom! Pick up!" he exclaimed, dialing Maria. She didn't answer at first, then finally picked up.

But before Ethan could speak, Bill lunged forward, grabbing him and covering his nose and mouth with a chloroform-soaked handkerchief.

"L-leave me!" Ethan cried, his voice muffled.

"You should've just listened to me!" Bill snarled, pressing the handkerchief further against Ethan's nose and mouth and dragging him to the van.

As the chemical acted, Ethan lost consciousness. He slumped in Bill's grasp, and the phone slipped from his numb fingers and clattered onto the deserted street. The call remained active, and his mother's voice continued to echo through the speaker. "Ethan? Ethan, what happened?"

When Ethan woke up, he realized he was bound and gagged in the van's cargo area, a wary dog beside him. Panic set in as he realized his dire situation: trapped with the dog and kidnapped by Bill.

Ethan's heart raced as he looked for his backpack. His heart sank when he noticed it was beside Bill in the front. "What am I going to do now?" he thought, struggling against the thick ropes around his wrists and feet. The Malinois in the cargo area stared at him, intensifying his fear. He was so scared of dogs.

"You awake back there, kid? Don't even think about escaping!" Bill taunted from the front.

Ethan, filled with dread, thought of his mother and wished she were there to help him. As he contemplated his predicament, sirens sounded, and the van stopped abruptly. Bill hastily closed the curtain separating the front from the back, hiding Ethan and the dog.

Ethan heard Bill talking to a patrol officer. "You see that? Your headlight's out," the officer said. Sensing an opportunity, Ethan tried to make noise, but his muffled attempts went unnoticed until the Malinois started barking loudly.

"What's going on there?" the officer asked.

"It's just my dog," Bill replied. "He's not friendly. Better stay back…unless you want to be treated for rabies."

The officer, unaware of Ethan's presence, let them go, and the van started moving again. Bill grumbled at the dog, "You almost blew it, Dablo!"

Ethan's heart sank as they drove away. Eventually, the van stopped at a dilapidated house. Bill grinned sinisterly at Ethan. "Time to get out, boy! Welcome to your new home!"

Ethan observed the rundown state of the house as the front door creaked open. A rickety coffee table stood at the room's center, burdened with an assortment of half-empty takeaway containers, crumpled newspapers, and a scattering of mismatched socks. A musty odor pervaded the air, a mixture of stale cigarette smoke, decaying food, and something damp.

Bill dragged Ethan inside, his threats continuing. "You should've learned to keep quiet back there. Now that you're stuck with me, you'll learn the lesson."

Ethan's eyes darted between the shadowy corners of the house, desperately seeking an escape route. Meanwhile, the Malinois trailed behind them, its watchful eyes never leaving him.

The musty smell of the unfamiliar basement enveloped him as Bill led him down a narrow, creaking staircase, the dog's paws padding softly behind. The room was dimly lit, with broken furniture and dust-covered boxes scattered around. Bill gestured for Ethan to sit on an old chair.

"Now, kid, cooperate, and things won't get messy," Bill said calmly, removing the tape from Ethan's lips. "Nobody can hear you from here, so no point in shouting."

Ethan's eyes darted around, seeking an escape. His heart pounded with fear as Bill tied the dog near the only window, the potential escape route. "No heroics, boy. The dog's not just for show," he warned.

"What do you want from me?" Ethan asked as Bill tied him to the chair.

"I've been watching you, kid," Bill smirked. "I needed some company, and I noticed you are always alone. In the playground. At school. Those few friends you have—they are no good."

Ethan realized Bill had been observing him all this time. No wonder Bill knew his name, school, and route back home.

"So, y-you want me here for company?" Ethan asked tremblingly.

"That's right. You're staying here, so let's get to know each other," Bill replied, sitting on the chair right next to Ethan. Ethan could smell the man's body odor and wanted to puke. But he had to keep his disgust hidden if he wanted to escape this man's clutches.

Suddenly, Ethan had an idea. Wait, Bill needs company! Ethan realized he had to get the man to trust him.

"I-I'm sorry, Bill," he said. "You-You were right. We should get to know each other."

Bill's grin widened. "Good. Tell me about yourself."

"I like school, science, and reading. And pizza," Ethan said. "That's my favorite food!"

Bill squinted his eyes, his gaze narrowing as if he had just caught a whiff of something fishy. He tilted his head slightly, studying Ethan with a newfound suspicion. "Pizza, huh? I like a good steak myself," he remarked, the corners of his mouth twitching.

Ethan tried to maintain a casual demeanor, but he could feel the weight of Bill's skepticism. "Yeah, you know, the cheesy goodness, the perfect crust," he stammered.

Thinking on his feet, Ethan added, "I think burgers work, too. And, oh, my mom used to make me delicious pies when I was a kid. I still love them. You know, there's an amazing cafe near my school, and they serve the best pie. Their orange pie is really delicious!"

Bill's eyes glinted with interest. "Pie, huh? I do love a good dessert. What's this place called?"

"It's called 'Sweet Places!'" Ethan answered too quickly. "Imagine sinking your teeth into that warm, gooey goodness, Bill! I love that place so much; I know their menu by heart and...their phone number, too! Do you want to try the pie? It could start our friendship, bring us closer!"

Bill thought for a moment, and then he agreed. He led Ethan upstairs, but Ethan's hands were still tied. Bill undid the ropes when he directed Ethan to write down the cafe's number and their order. Ethan quickly scribbled it down, his heart pounding.

After tying Ethan's hands again, Bill called the number. A woman's voice answered. Bill ordered the orange pie, keeping a close eye on Ethan.

"Please tell me the delivery address; the pie will be with you soon."

After giving the address, Bill hung up. "Good job, kid. You didn't cause any trouble," he praised Ethan.

Ethan feigned a smile, hiding his fear. "Why would I cause you trouble? We're friends, right?" he said nervously.

Bill, satisfied, led Ethan back to the basement and tied the boy to a chair. "Do you like dogs, Ethan?" Bill asked, petting Dablo.

Ethan, afraid of dogs, lied to keep Bill at ease. "I like you, Ethan," Bill said, sitting next to Ethan and pulling him closer. Ethan chuckled awkwardly, his gut churning due to the man's awful smell.

"T-tell me about yourself, Bill. Why do you live alone?" he asked.

"We'll talk when the pie arrives, boy," Bill said with a grin.

That's what I've been waiting for, too, Bill, Ethan thought.

"You alright, kid?" Bill asked.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine," Ethan answered nervously.

Suddenly, a loud crash and the sound of a door breaking echoed through the room. Officers burst in, their guns aimed at Bill. "Freeze! You're under arrest!" one officer commanded.

As they restrained Bill, Ethan's mom entered the space, tears in her eyes. She embraced Ethan tightly. "Ethan, you did it! You stayed strong!" she cried. "I'm so sorry. I should've been there for you. I'm so proud of you."

Ethan clung to his mother. "Mom, I thought I'd never see you again," he sobbed. "I was so scared."

The officers led Bill and Dablo away. Ethan felt a wave of relief, finally feeling safe with his mother.

"Orange Pie" was a code word Ethan and Maria used. Maria was allergic to oranges, so 'Sweet Places,' the cafe she owned, didn't keep orange pies. Maria had taught Ethan to use the code word whenever he was in danger, and her trick saved Ethan's life.

What Maria and Ethan went through is a lesson for all the parents out there: Children's safety and well-being should always come first.

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If you enjoyed reading this story, you might like this one about a boy who went missing after school. His parents had no clue where he could've gone until their dog brought the boy's backpack containing a chilling note.

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