911 operator's voice faded into the background as her mind replayed the crash-the sh

lf in a room," the

weak, but she forced herself to move. She presse

a text from Lily: Al

stairs, followed by deliberate footsteps. Her stomac

steps gr

handle

A familiar voice sliced th

Thom

t. Her fingers tightened around the

ped. Silence hung

n, and Lily's voice echoed through

-until Mr. Thompson's voice dri

.. but is that en

She had to act. Fear cou