Read the chapter from Panic in Washington Square Park. Chapter 1

Cassandra let her head fall back as she soaked up the warm rays of sunshine from her spot on the bench. Nothing felt quite like a warm, summer day in New York City, she thought. Sighing, she opened her eyes and gazed at the impressive Washington Square Arch. Water in the Washington Square Park Fountain glittered in the sun like thousands of diamonds. The cries and laughter of children filled the air as they waded through the fountain, avoiding the different spouts of water. University students wandered through the park, while others lounged on the grass or played musical instruments. Jazz swept through the park from an unseen saxophone. Within this rectangular green space, Cassandra almost felt peaceful.

The only obstacle keeping Cassandra from fully enjoying the beauty of this glorious day was her mother's absence. Every Wednesday afternoon, Cam, their golden retriever, joined the Doggy Daycare group for an afternoon in Washington Square Park. During that time, Cassandra and her mother spent time together by seeing a Broadway performance, munching on delicacies from a food truck, or walking through a public park. Afterward, Cassandra waited for five minutes by the fountain, while her mother, Carol, picked up Cam from the dog run. She always took this time to enjoy the beautiful day and watch all of the interesting people. Cassandra's brow furrowed as she looked at her watch. Her mother had departed to retrieve their furry pet over twenty minutes ago, an unprecedented amount of time, even for her mother.

Cassandra gazed toward the location of the dog park. If her mother or Cam were in trouble, Cassandra needed to help. She strode toward the area for canines with purposeful, determined steps. The air was cooler under the shade of the park's trees. The closer Cassandra got to the dog park, the louder the barks of the dogs became. One noise rose above the rest as she got closer to the dog run.

"What do you mean, you've lost Cam?" shouted Carol angrily.

Cassandra froze, paralyzed in place at the idea that her beloved animal had been lost. Suddenly, like a wave crashing into the sea, Cassandra jolted forward, ran around the corner, and found her mother.

With wild eyes and deep breaths, Cassandra confronted the Doggy Daycare owner, Jeremy, who had his arms crossed and fear in his eyes. Jeremy explained that Cam had been playing with the other dogs in the dog run all afternoon. However, when Carol arrived, Cam fled into the park. Jeremy's employees had searched the park, without any luck. Cassandra took a deep, steadying breath and turned to her mother.

"We are going to search this entire park until we find Cam," she resolved, "and we need to start right now."

Which line from the story shifts Cassandra's focus, and the reader's, from the beauty of the park to a sense that something is wrong?

Cassandra's brow furrowed as she looked at her watch.
Jazz swept through the park from an unseen saxophone.
Sighing, she opened her eyes and gazed at the impressive Washington Square Arch.
Water in the Washington Square Park Fountain glittered in the sun like thousands of diamonds. plz help