I found an unknown kid in my backyard. I wanted to call the cops but then he started talking.

The other day, when I came home from work, I found an unknown kid in my backyard. Immediately, I was about to call the cops, but then he started talking.

This was the strangest evening in my life, and it only got weirder. For a moment, my life turned upside down. I was just on my way home, parking the car, getting out, and heading for the door.

As I approached home, a little dark figure appeared. I thought it was some kind of animal ready to attack; my heart pounded out of my chest. Then, for a moment, I thought it was a ghost. But there you go— it was just a little boy! He looked tired, with messy hair and poorly dressed. Poor thing, he must be lost, I thought, as I reached for my phone to call the police.

But the boy clung to my arm and, with a trembling voice, like a grown-up, said, “Mom, don’t do it. I…”

The Unexpected Confession

I froze. This boy, whom I had never seen before, was calling me Mom. I kneeled to his level, trying to stay calm, and asked, “Who are you? Why are you here?”

Tears welled up in his eyes as he stammered, “My name is Tommy. I was looking for my mom, but I got lost. I saw your house and hoped you could help me.”