Cold air bit at our faces as Eli and I stumbled across the shadowed lawn, urgency in every step. My mind raced with fragmented thoughts, the surreal nightmare unfurling around us. As we reached Mrs. Leverne’s porch, I tapped on the door, a frantic Morse code of desperation.
She opened it, surprise flitting over her features, quickly replaced by concern as she took in our disheveled appearances. Without hesitation, she ushered us inside, the warmth of her home a stark contrast to the chilling betrayal we had just fled.
“What’s happened?” she asked, her voice a mix of shock and empathy.
I took a shaky breath, struggling to form coherent sentences. “Jared… he… tried to…” My words faltered, my mind recoiling from the enormity of the betrayal.
Understanding dawned on her face. She quickly led us to the living room, her hands gentle on Eli’s shoulders as she settled him on the couch. “I’ll call the police,” she said, her tone firm and resolute.
As she moved to the phone, I sat beside Eli, holding him close, feeling the tremors that still coursed through his small body. His eyes, wide and fearful, met mine, searching for answers I wasn’t sure I could provide.
“Why, Mom?” he asked, voice trembling. “Why did Dad do this?”
