Somewhere in the distance, sirens wailed—a beacon of hope amidst despair. The neighbors must have heard the commotion. Salvation was on its way. Tom finally moved, his face a contortion of panic as he realized the gravity of what had happened. But I couldn’t focus on him anymore. My eyes fluttered closed, heart clinging to the sound of approaching help.

In that moment, I knew I would rise from this. I would heal and protect my child from the toxic grasp of those who wished us harm. Justice would come, and so would a new beginning. Pain may have been my companion now, but resilience would be my legacy.