There was no driver. No time. Elena started the car herself and sped through the sleeping city, headlights cutting through the blackness like desperation slicing through calm.
"Don't scare me like this… please," Elena whispered, her voice cracking. "You promised to show me your butterfly drawings, remember?"
Mila didn't answer. Her lashes fluttered. A soft whimper escaped her lips — then silence.
The world tilted.
Elena choked back a sob but she tried to keep Mila awake.
"Mila, baby, wake up. You're my brave girl, right? You said you'd visit my house tomorrow morning. You said we'll play with Tuffy together…"
There was still no noise from the backseat. In fact, even the little girl's breathing was barely heard.
Elena turned extremely anxious. In fact, after being reborn, this was the first time that she had been this anxious. The car seemed too small for the pain swelling inside her. The night was too quiet for what was happening.
