And there I was.
I stood near the sidewalk wearing my pale blue sweater, holding my phone in one hand.
I looked completely ordinary.
Entirely unaware of what was happening.
The bus began slowing.
Ellie came into view near the front seats.
I watched myself smile and raise my hand.
Frank glanced in my direction.
Then his attention shifted toward the right.
A silver pickup appeared along the edge of the recording.
It came to a stop behind me.
A man climbed out.
Brown jacket.
Dark-colored baseball cap.
He started walking toward the bus.
I never turned around.
My eyes remained fixed on Ellie.
The stranger moved nearer.
Frank glanced between the approaching man and the open doorway.
Ellie had already started toward the staircase.
Frank rose from his seat.
“Stay back, sweetheart.”
The individual was now just a few steps from the entrance.
On the recording, I could see him looking beyond me, straight toward Ellie.
