His partner, a tall woman with a thoughtful gaze, chimed in. “It seems Emily may have had a run-in with something from nature. We’re thinking some kind of large plant or tree with a thick bark that could have caused her discomfort when sitting.”

I felt the tension in my muscles start to ease, if only marginally. “But the drawing,” I started, recalling the alarming image sketched by my daughter’s small hands. “And her words—‘big and thick’?”

Daniels nodded, understanding the heartache and confusion etched across my face. “We believe she might have come into contact with an unusual tree or bush, something that could have left a residue on her clothes and backpack. Sometimes kids have vivid imaginations, and the experience might have felt more threatening to her than it actually was.”