She tries to get away

Clara pelted behind a wall, the children running right past her, seeming to have lost her. She breathed a sigh of relief.

Desperate for a solution, she grabbed a large discarded piece of cardboard and held it in front of herself like an improvised shield. It wasn't elegant, but it was better than nothing. Staying close to the buildings, she edged toward the nearest place that might offer shelter.

Then came a deep bark.

Clara froze. A large dog had spotted her and seemed convinced she was the most interesting thing it had seen all day. As it bounded toward her, barking excitedly, she squeaked in alarm and took off running, clutching the cardboard with both hands.

"Not now!" she shouted over her shoulder as the dog happily gave chase. She threw the piece of cardboard at it, hoping it distracts it.

Clara sprinted down the street until she saw a familiar sign ahead. A supermarket.

Without slowing, she dashed through the automatic doors, relieved to have escaped the dog at last. Safe indoors, she paused to catch her breath.