Page 53 of Annika's Aurora

“Megan,” the tiny voice said.

“What’s the baby’s name?”

“Chloe.”

“Such pretty names you both have. What are your parent’s names?”

“Jen and Tom.”

“Okay, I’m just going to feel around your arms and legs. See if anything is broken, okay? Does anything hurt?”

“My … my tummy.”

“Can you point to where exactly? Good. Logan,” she called out to him, “nothing’s broken, I think. She says her chest and stomach hurt.”

“Is it near where the seat belt could have caught her?” he asked.

“Yes, that’s possible.”

“Okay. Check the baby now.”

A few moments passed before she called out, “She seems fine but may also be bruised from the car seat harness.”

“Okay, why don’t you come back out for now? We’re trying to figure out a way to get the doors opened.” It would be ideal if the team could get them out sooner, but they needed a cutter. And he needed her out of danger.

“I’m good. You guys do what you need to do. I’m going to hang out with my new upside-down friends here for a bit.” Logan gritted his jaw, frustrated with her stubbornness. He knew there was no way his Sunfire would leave those children, but that didn’t mean he had to be happy about it.

Logan stayed next to the car, ready to pull Annika out at a moment’s notice if needed. He knew he should probably help the rest of the team strategize, but he couldn’t pull himself from Annika’s side. If they had to, the two of them could get the kids out quickly. Hoping the car remained stable until the whole family could be extracted, he listened to Annika chatting with the little girl.

“Do you like being a big sister?”

“It’s okay. She doesn’t do much yet. Mommy says that will change.”

“How old is Chloe?”

“She just had her first birthday.”

“Oh, happy birthday, Sweetie.” Annika’s voice was having a calming effect on the baby; she was no longer screaming her head off. “I was a big sister too. My brother was only five minutes younger than me.”

Annika laughed when Megan made a confused sound. “We were twins. I was born first, then him.”

“Cool.”

“How old are you, Megan?”

“Six.”

“Did you start kindergarten yet?”

“Yes.”

“How fun. Do you like it?”

“It’s good,” she answered simply. The girl sounded terrified. Annika was trying her best to take her mind off her fear, but it didn’t sound like it was going so well.

“Do you like books?” Logan smiled; of course, she’d ask that. Annika’s lifewasbooks.

“I don’t know.”

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