Page 77 of Don't Let Go

I opened the board’s wings and saw the full display of her project on bananas with salt and without salt and which would turn brown first and why. It was extremely detailed and organized for someone her age.

I was blown away by it. “You did this yourself?”

Rory chuckled as she shouldered past. “She had some help.”

Lizzy bounced on the balls of her feet. “I did all the work with the bananas. Mamma and Rory helped with the board.”

Now I knew why there were sliced bananas randomly sitting on the kitchen counter a couple of weeks ago.

“Very impressive,” I said, closing the board’s wings again.

Lizzy was a ball of energy. She took her board back and sat it on the floor, leaning it against the couch. “It’s also show and tellin homeroom. I’m going to show them this.” She boastfully held up a golden locket around her neck. “This was a gift from my papà. I don’t remember him, though.” She pouted for a moment.

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Rory freeze, the pain that shot through her eyes was like she was stabbed in the heart by an ice pick.

Lizzy continued, unaware her words stung Rory. “I’m also bringing a family photo. It’s in my backpack.”

I put my hand on Lizzy’s shoulder, squeezing it gently. “Looks like you’re well prepared. I’m sure your dad would be proud of you.”

Carmen fingered her keys, making them jingle. “I’m off. See you at school.” She waved her goodbyes as she headed for the door.

A sense of panic went through Lizzy. She dropped her backpack on the floor; it hit the carpet with a loud thump. “Wait!” she shouted. “I forgot my phone!” She ran past Carmen and dashed outside to the car.

Carmen shook her head, but a small smile clung to her lips as she hit the unlock button on the car’s keyfob as she stepped outside.

Rory reached down and grabbed Lizzy’s backpack. I snagged her science project and stood next to Rory as she locked the front door.

I heard a car door open, and then after that, there was a loud popping noise. It was like a ton of fireworks going off outside in the front yard all at once and a monster bag of popcorn exploding in the microwave.

I dropped the poster board and wrapped my arms around Rory as we ducked for cover. I looked over to my left and saw Carmen in the fetal position in the grass.

A car peeled out on the street, leaving a faint amount of smoke in its wake. It went too fast to catch a license plate. All I couldsee was that it was a blue car, and the make and model were questionable.

Rory wiggled out of my arms. “Lizzy! Where are you? Lizzy!” she shouted, getting back on her feet. Lizzy’s backpack tripped her, but she managed to save herself from falling.

Carmen sat up, hugging herself tightly. “What the hell was that?”

I stood, brushing off my jeans. “I have no idea.”

“No!” Rory screamed. She made an agonizing and torturous wail. My ears ached at the almost animalistic cries she made.

I stumbled over to the car, and the sight that laid before me would haunt me forever. The driver’s side door remained open, but the window was shattered. My shoes crunched the glass as I knelt beside Rory. She cradled Lizzy. The little girl was bleeding from her head and stomach. A pool of crimson lazily grew, engulfing Rory and slowly flowing down the carport.

“No,” Rory whispered, holding Lizzy close to her chest as she rocked her back and forth. Lizzy was limp. Her eyes were half closed.

All the world’s noises faded away as if someone hit a switch, and all I could hear was silence. I fell onto my knees next to Rory. Blood seeped into my pants, but I didn’t care.

I reached out to move some matted hair from Lizzy’s little face. She looked like she was asleep if you looked past all the red.

Tears clouded my vision. I looked up to see Carmen on her phone. She was talking and crying, but I couldn’t hear any of her words.

Rory wouldn’t let go of Lizzy. She held onto her as if she could keep her alive.

An ambulance and fire truck came. Their red and blue lights were blinding despite the morning sunshine.

“Let her go,” the EMT said softly to Rory.

She shook her head. “I can’t.”

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