silence. The only sound was the

a cold ice pack against Chloe's slightly red wrist. She whispered softly to c

jaw was tight. His face was unnaturally p

Althea had yelled at him. He stayed perfectly quiet, only

ipped the strawberry candy in his pocket. He walked

m. Her body tensed immediately. She l

eached out his small hand and opened his p

hloe, who was

d. "My brother broke your to

e candy, then at Arthur. She slowly re

d not eat it. She held the pink candy up to

and took the candy. The sweet strawberry taste sprea

happily. She pointed a

Mommy," Chloe

d her mouth to stop Chloe, but her th

a's familiar yet distant face. A dee

n a very small, clear vo

om

heart like lightning. Hot tears

ed Arthur into her arms. She hugged him tightly against her che

ing. Seeing Althea hold Arthur and cry sen

ht she had a new husband and a new daughter, and felt bad for

walk over and pull Arthur away. He did

control. He tried to open his mouth to speak, only to realize that his vision was doubling and even the basic strength to kee

screamed in terror. Rick heard the

ed at the man on the floor. Darren's eyes w

arren. "Boss has collapsed! He's no

er duty overrode her hatred. She walked quickly to Dar

She pressed two fingers against his neck to feel

voice was sharp, profe

to the car and get th

ly radiating from Althea. He froze for a sec