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A commotion in the hallway drew their attention. The door burst open, revealing a woman in hospital scrubs, her face a mask of fear and confusion. \u201cWhere\u2019s my daughter?\u201d Sarah Taylor demanded, her voice raw. \u201cWhat\u2019s happened to Emily?\u201d<\/p>\n
Officer Daniels stood, his manner gentle but firm. \u201cMs. Taylor, I\u2019m Officer Daniels. We\u2019re looking into a concerning situation involving Emily.\u201d Sarah\u2019s eyes darted frantically around the room, landing on the drawing. Her face drained of color.<\/p>\n
\u201cDid Emily draw that? Where is she?\u201d<\/p>\n
Before he could answer, his partner, Officer Rivera, returned to the doorway, his expression grim. \u201cThe backpack,\u201d he said quietly to Daniels. \u201cYou\u2019re going to want to see this.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sarah\u2019s world narrowed to a pinpoint as she followed the officers down the hushed corridor. Outside the nurse\u2019s office, Daniels paused. \u201cMs. Taylor, I want to prepare you. Emily is physically safe, but she\u2019s clearly distressed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Inside, Emily sat on a small chair, a tissue clutched in her tiny hand. When she spotted her mother, her face crumpled. \u201cMommy!\u201d she cried, running into Sarah\u2019s arms. Over Emily\u2019s head, Sarah could see Officer Rivera holding her daughter\u2019s backpack with gloved hands, placing it carefully into a large paper evidence bag.<\/p>\n
\u201cEmily, sweetheart,\u201d she whispered, pulling back to look into her daughter\u2019s tear-streaked face. \u201cCan you tell mommy what happened?\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIt hurts to sit down,\u201d Emily sobbed. \u201cAnd I got in trouble for not sitting in class.\u201d<\/p>\n
Sarah felt a chill. \u201cWhat hurts, Emily?\u201d<\/p>\n