Chapter 9 — Facing the Enemy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . page 3

“I have two daughters about your age. I’m surprised that your parents allow you to wander in the woods all alone.”

By now Sharon had reached her ground-covering pace, the one she used when she was alone and in a hurry. She had tried using it when others were with her and they could never seem to learn her way of moving. Everyone complained that she walked too fast.

The man beside her began to jog. Sharon was amazed that he could still talk to her.

“Wow,” he went on, “ I thought I had a hard time keeping up with my daughters when they went shopping. Do you like to shop? What kind of things do you like to buy?”

“This is so strange,” thought Sharon. “At least we’re moving away from where I buried the necklace. I’m glad I learned to walk quickly without burning up energy. He’s going to get tired soon – I hope.”

“My daughters love going to jewelry stores,” Tom explained. “They each have their favorite stones. One loves rubies; the other loves emeralds. What kind of stone do you like?”

“Ah-ha,” thought Sharon, “so that’s how he’s trying to bring up the necklace. I wonder what he’ll do when I don’t answer him. Mom and Dad taught me to never talk to strangers and he’s a stranger in more ways than one.”