AUTHOR'S POV
That evening...
The weather outside turned completely bitter. A cold, aggressive wind swept through the quiet suburban streets, bringing with it a heavy, relentless downpour. The rain gently tapped against the old wooden windows, a rhythmic and soothing sound that seemed to isolate the small house from the rest of the world. Inside, however, the Bennett house felt completely safe. It was wrapped in an unfamiliar blanket of warmth, a stark contrast to the freezing storm raging just beyond the glass.
Lila sat tucked closely beside her mother on the old fabric sofa. A large, worn wool blanket was shared between them, pulled up right to their chests. For the first time in what felt like an eternity, Lila wasn't looking at her mother with a expression of terror or panic. She was
