After that, Felicity told Dames to bring Altair over.
Altair had always been different–he was on the spectrum, and therapy sessions had become a regular part of his life. Today was a small miracle: for the first time, he’d agreed to step outside, to join the other kids and parents for an afternoon of fresh air and games.
But if something were to happen to him now–some accident or fright–it would be enough to send Altair straight back into his shell. He might never dare to leave his room again.
That kind of timid, withdrawn Altair posed no threat to Dames’s standing in the Vaughn family.
Felicity glanced down and saw Selene coaxing Altair up the hillside, careful and patient.
Without hesitation, Felicity’s hand closed around a stone lying within reach.
“Flick, what are you doing?” Dames blurted out, his voice tight with panic.
Selene looked up and caught the flash of malice in Felicity’s cold smile.
After Selene’s earlier stumble, how could Felicity resist finishing what she’d started? She raised the stone and hurled it straight at Selene’s head.
Selene reacted instantly, pulling Altair with her as they dodged away. Her eyes darted to a patch of level ground hidden below the slope, half–concealed by a thick tangle of shrubs. Without hesitating, she gathered Altair and leapt into the undergrowth.
A loud rustle split the air–branches snapping, leaves whispering–then, just as quickly, silence fell again.
Dames lurched forward, eyes wide, hands reaching for something–anything–to stop the unfolding disaster.
He watched in horror as Selene and Altair disappeared down the slope. The shock rooted him to the spot, his whole body trembling.
“Flick, why would you do that? You… you killed her!” Dames’s voice shook, lips quivering. A cold dread swallowed him whole. Felicity had told him this was just a prank, something to give Altair a little scare.
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Chapter 197
If they frightened Altair badly enough, he’d never come near Daph or his overbearing mother again.
Felicity’s tone turned sharp. “Dames, you saw what happened. Selene dragged Altair down there herself.”
“But you…” Dames could barely get the words out, something sharp and awful lodged in his throat, choking off his voice. He felt as though he were being pulled down too, as if invisible hands were dragging him toward the same fate. Tears shimmered in his eyes.
Felicity’s voice softened, almost pleading. “Dames, did you ever think–what if the doctor comes and only saves her? What happens to me then?”
He stared at her, lost, unable to answer.
Felicity pressed on, sounding more and more aggrieved. “There’s only one bed in the camp’s medical tent. If they give it to Selene and Altair, what about me?”
Dames shook his head, blurting, “I’d never let them leave you behind!”
Felicity gave him a sad, knowing look. “As soon as the doctors see Selene, she’s all they’ll care about. I just… I just want them not to find her right away. Your mom’s going to be fine. We’ll call for help soon–just a bit later, okay?”
Dames nodded, dazed, swallowing down the guilt that burned in his chest. Felicity was his dad’s closest friend; whatever she said must be right.
“Okay,” he said, and quickly dialed his teacher on his smartwatch.
“Ms. Hughes, Flick twisted her ankle! Please, send the doctor, quick!” he begged, giving her their approximate location before hanging up.
He stared at the shrubs behind Felicity, heart racing so hard he could barely breathe. His small face was tense, his body rigid with worry.
Felicity was the important one–at least, that’s what Dad always said. Surely, it was okay to help her first. Surely, that wasn’t wrong.
Chapter 198
Chapter 198
