Chapter 4

Ellie Armstrong POV:

I pulled a small plastic bag from the scooter' s wire basket. Inside, there was a tiny, brightly colored plastic pony, a half-melted chocolate bar, and a single, wilted daisy. Lily' s favorites. The chocolate had softened in the heat, its once-sharp edges now a gooey mess.

I arranged the meager offerings carefully on the small mound of earth, my fingers trembling slightly as I laid them down. Then, I knelt, pulling at the persistent weeds that had sprung up since my last visit, clearing the space around her.

"Hey, sweet pea," I whispered, my voice rough, scratchy. "Mommy's here."

I sank onto the hard, unforgiving earth, the sharp stones digging into my knees. My scarred right hand reached out, brushing against the rough soil, tracing the outline of the small grave.

"I' m so sorry, Lily," I choked out, the words catching in my throat. "I' m so, so sorry."

A cold gust of wind swept across the field, rustling the dry grass, a mournful whisper. I tried to smile, a shaky, broken attempt that only twisted my lips into a grimace.

I pulled a worn, laminated sheet of music from the bag. It was a simple child' s song, one Lily loved.

"Want to hear your favorite song, baby girl?" I whispered, my voice thick with unshed tears. "I know I don' t have a piano, but I remember every note."

I raised my right hand, the mangled fingers hovering over the imaginary keys. I pressed down, my fingers going through the motions, a phantom symphony playing in my head.

No sound came, of course. Only the soft click-clack of my stiff knuckles, dry and hollow. I managed a few measures, my left hand mimicking the bass line, but then a sharp, searing pain shot through my right hand. My fingers curled, a pathetic, involuntary spasm.

"Ow," I whispered, shaking my head. "Mommy' s hand hurts, sweetie. I can't play it for you today."

I leaned forward, burying my face in my knees, the pain in my heart far outweighing the physical ache. Hot tears, thick and heavy, dripped from my eyes, splashing onto the dry earth, leaving dark, temporary stains.

My phone, still in my pocket, suddenly blared, its jarring ringtone ripping through the quiet sorrow. I startled, pulling it out. An unknown number. Again. But the pattern was familiar.

I answered, my voice still hoarse with grief. "Hello?"

"You have two hours, Ellie. Be at the estate. If you don't show, your little auto shop will be nothing but scrap metal by morning." Carter's voice, cold and devoid of any warmth, cut through the line. He always went for the jugular.

"You wouldn't dare," I rasped, my voice barely a whisper.

"Try me," he retorted, his tone deceptively calm, chillingly confident. "You know I always get what I want. Don't test my patience, Ellie. I' m offering you a chance to rejoin civilization, for old times' sake. Don't make me drag you back kicking and screaming."

He hung up.

I stared at the small mound of earth, my vision blurred by tears. I reached out again, my fingertips brushing the cold soil.

"Looks like bad people are causing trouble again, Lily-bug," I whispered, a fresh wave of tears choking me. "Don't you worry, though. Mommy will make sure they don't hurt anyone else. You be a good girl, okay? Don't be scared."