Way too familiar.
A shiver goes through my entire body as my mind jerks to the past.
* * *
“Daddy? Who are they?”
“Elsa? What are you doing here?” Dad stares down at me.
I grab his leg and lean to the side to stare at the door.
Two pairs of eyes look at me. One is light, the other is pitch b
lack like the night outside. Their faces are all dirty like they haven’t showered for days. Their dark hair flies all over the place as if they don’t brush it.
I hug my teddy to my chest so tight, I’m sure I suffocate him.
“They just need help, princess.” Dad crouches in front of me. “Now go back to your room.”
“They don’t have a teddy,” I say.
“No, they don’t,” Daddy says with sadness.
I frown, tears filling my eyes.
Everyone should have a teddy bear. Mine is my favourite toy. Daddy gave it to me when I was three and I never leave without him. He’s my sleeping buddy and my friend. We have tea parties together.
But Daddy says they need help, so they need Ted more than me.
“Here,” I offer them Ted. “He’ll help you. Take care of him, okay? He doesn’t like to be cold and he doesn’t like swimming.”
The one with lighter eyes takes it from my hand with a sheepish smile.
My gaze falls to their knees. They’re all red and bloody.
“Daddy! They’re hurt!”
* * *
I’m thrown back to the present with a gasp. I stare at the scene in front of me with bugged eyes.
My gaze bounces between Ted, Knox, and Teal.
My heart nearly stops beating when I squint. Both Knox and Teal have faded horizontal scars on their right knees. Just like the scar Eli had after falling from his bike.
It’s them.
Knox and Teal are the first ones Ma hurt.
Aiden and I aren’t the only survivors.
7
Elsa
During breakfast the following day I keep to myself and barely touch my food.
Usually, I would participate in Knox’s conversations, but today, I can’t even look him in the eye.