The Day Our Promise Breaks

Her eyes were hazy at first, as if she were peering through a thin veil of mist, trying to figure out where she was.

Evelyn's breath caught.

A tidal wave of joy crashed over her.

Her little girl was awake.

"Charlie..."

Evelyn's voice quivered, her gaze fixed on Charlie, overflowing with a love so deep it almost hurt.

This was her precious child, lost and now found again.

Tears filled her eyes in an instant. When Charlie stayed silent, worry got the best of Evelyn. Unable to help herself, she reached out and gently touched Charlie's forehead, her voice thick with concern. "Sweetheart, why aren't you saying anything? Are you feeling sick anywhere?"

The touch snapped Charlie's wandering eyes into sharp focus.

Those wide, confused, tear-filled eyes landed on Evelyn's face, her pupils narrowing in fear.

"Ah-!!"

A scream, raw and piercing with terror, echoed through the hospital room.

Charlie's body was still so weak, but her fear of Evelyn gave her a burst of wild strength.

She shrank back, pulling away with everything she had.

Fighting to break free of Evelyn's arms, her tiny hands and feet kicked and thrashed, eyes wide with panic and rejection.

Stay away from me! Go away!

warping with pure fear,

Charles's face went pale.

this. The poison in Charlie's body was gone-but she

wanted nothing

hitting the call

"Charlie!"

heart was breaking. "Don't be scared, honey! It's me, Mommy! Don't you remember

to touch her daughter's shaking

"You're not my mommy!"

words hit Evelyn like a

smacked her

back

off the bed, calling out in

was crystal clear-she wasn't calling for

like her heart

didn't dare upset her daughter

Swallowing her longing, she

back, tears streaming down her cheeks as

okay won't touch you. Charlie,

But nothing calmed her.

opened his arms, shielding his daughter,

her panic to get away from Evelyn, Charlie suddenly tumbled into

arms.

She froze.

rejecting everyone-everyone except