My mind reeled as I tried to process Maisie’s words. It felt like the world had tilted on its axis, everything I thought I knew slipping away with her whispered confession. Grandma left them in the car? Grandpa’s eyes looked wrong? What did that even mean?
I wanted to press for more details, demand answers. But looking at my daughter, her small body trembling with exhaustion and fear, I knew pushing her now would only cause more pain. Whatever happened, however they ended up in the woods, it was over for the moment. The priority was to get them safe and warm.
“Okay, sweetheart,” I murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from her face. “You’re safe now. Both of you are. Let’s get you inside.”
