Page 113 of The Sleeping Girls

Bianca cried out in fear. “We’re going to die!”

Ellie slung mud away, her legs and arms aching. “Hold on to the wall,” she yelled at Bianca.

Bianca reached for it but slipped under. Ellie started back to her but Ruby swam to her, grabbed her and dragged her up to the surface. “We’re going to get out of here,” Ruby told the terrified girl.

“Hang on, Bianca!” Ellie shouted.

“I see light!” Derrick shouted.

“Ellie?” Cord’s voice. He was coming for them.

“Help’s here,” Ellie assured the girls.

Minutes passed as she heard the men digging outside. The water was neck-deep now. The opening grew larger. Suddenly Cord was there.

“Come on,” Derrick told the girls.

Ellie raced back to Bianca and grabbed her while Ruby swam to Derrick, and he helped her through the opening.

“Ruby’s clear,” Cord yelled. Ellie swam with Bianca to Derrick so he could lift her into the opening.

Muddy water swirled around Ellie. Something tangled around her leg tugging her under. A snake? Vines?

“Come on, Ellie!” Derrick yelled.

“My leg’s caught on something.” Ellie dove under and saw the vine wrapped around her ankle. The force of the water gushing in wrenched it tighter.

A second later, she felt Derrick under water, pushing her up. She yanked her leg to free herself but couldn’t. Panic seized her. Her lungs begged for air. She held her breath, struggling to surface.

Derrick worked, using his knife to cut the vine, then he grabbed her arm and together they pushed to the surface. Panting for a breath, she wiped soggy debris from her face as Derrick dragged her to the exit.

Cord reached down and pulled her through the opening, then Derrick followed. Ruby and Bianca were hovering nearby, soaked and shaking.

Medics were already on scene and raced to help the girls into the ambulance and out of the downpour.

Cord hauled her into his arms. “You scared the hell out of me. Are you okay, El?”

She gasped for a breath as he wrapped his arms around her and ushered her to the medics.

ONE HUNDRED TWENTY-EIGHT

BLUFF COUNTY HOSPITAL

The girls were rushed to the hospital with Ellie by their sides. Ruby’s mother arrived with Shondra by her side and the Copenhagens rushed in. Tears of joy flowed as the families were reunited. June ran in with her grandmother and dashed to Ruby, the two of them hugging and crying.

When June pulled away, Ruby’s mother hugged her daughter hard. “I’m sorry for not being a better mother. I… I’m going to AA, honey. I promise to work the program.”

“I love you, Mom,” Ruby whispered.

Shondra leaned over and whispered to Ellie, “DFACS got involved. The social worker warned Billy Jean if she didn’t get sober, they’d put Ruby in foster care. June’s grandmother agreed to let Ruby live with her and June until Billy Jean finishes treatment and gets back on her feet.”

Ellie hugged Shondra. “Thanks so much.”

The Copenhagens looked shell-shocked as they stood by Bianca. “They… saved me,” Bianca cried. “Ruby did… I don’t know why, not after what I did.”

“Thank you,” Mrs. Copenhagen said to Ruby, her voice a pained whisper. “And thank you, Detective.”

“I’m just glad they’re safe now,” Ellie said. She just wished she could have saved Kelsey.

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