Valerie stepped into the house, the door swinging shut behind her. She set the grocery bags on the kitchen counter, unpacking the essentials. A special treat caught her eye – Ruby's favorite ice cream. Valerie smiled, knowing her daughter's eyes would light up.
She grasped the ice cream container and put it in the freezer before searching for Ruby. The living room was empty, toys scattered but no sign of her daughter. Valerie checked Ruby's room, the backyard, and even the playroom.
Where could Ruby be?
As Valerie wandered down the hallway, her gaze fell upon a telltale sign of trouble: a slender rivulet of water sneaking from beneath the tightly shut laundry room door. Her heart sank, imagining a burst pipe or faulty faucet.
She quickened her pace, concern etched on her face. Pushing open the door, Valerie's eyes widened in horror.
