'Hope's Whisper'

"Oh no," cried Hope. "Where did she go?"

"Where did who go?" her mother asked as she handed Hope the shopping bag.

"The old woman. She was sitting there just a few minutes ago."

"What old woman?"

"Mom, please, I need to find her."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, but OK, let's go. Lead the way."

Hope told her mom about the old lady while they hurried through the mall. They looked upstairs. They looked downstairs. They searched the entire food court.

"Why don't we take a little break?" asked Mom. "We can keep looking after we eat." The smell of pizza made Hope's stomach growl.

"Mom, please, I need to find her. I can't even explain why. It's just that she looked so sad. Maybe I can help her. Maybe I can cheer her up."

Hope's mom smiled. "OK, let's keep looking."

They left the food court and headed back to the bench where Hope had first seen the woman. The bench was still empty. Hope shifted the shopping bag into her other hand. Her feet were beginning to hurt.

"Let's try looking upstairs one more time," Hope said with a sigh as she headed toward the elevator. While they were waiting for the elevator to arrive, she heard the high-pitched voice again. She turned and looked toward the security desk. There, surrounded by several curious shoppers, stood the old woman. Her hands were shaking. Her frail chest heaved as she sobbed. Her high words were met with blank stares.

*

Thursday: Why is the old woman so upset?

This story will be on The Times' website at latimes.com/kids.