A furious roar tore through the darkness like a crack of light. That voice—so familiar, so impossibly far away, as if it were reaching me from inside a dream.
I fought to open my eyes. Blurred shapes rushed toward me, frantic footsteps closing in.
Then a figure bent down. A face, hazy through the blood, carved with fury and heartbreak.
My father.
His hands were shaking as he reached for me, so careful, so terrified of causing more pain, as he gathered me into his arms. His eyes were red. Tears streamed down a face I had never—not once in my life—seen cry.
"Daddy's here. Daddy's taking you home."
I could finally go home.
The darkness swallowed me whole.
