The call came in just after midnight. “Please… come quick. There’s someone in my room.” The dispatcher frowned — the voice was small, frightened. A five-year-old girl. Her parents insisted she was imagining things, but the officer on duty trusted his gut. Something in the girl’s voice hinted at an urgency and fear that couldn’t be dismissed. Minutes later, police arrived at the small suburban home. The girl, her eyes wide with fear, clutched her teddy bear and pointed toward the closet.
The officers, led by Officer Ramirez, approached the closet cautiously. The room was dimly lit, shadows cast by the streetlight outside flickering across the walls. One officer opened the door slowly, the hinges creaking. Dust particles floated in the air, illuminated by the sliver of light from the hallway. Empty shelves greeted them, confirming the parents’ reassurance that nothing was wrong.
