I fell asleep.
The Silence
When I woke up, something felt wrong.
The house was too quiet.
No sound of the ball. No humming.
“Grandma?” I called.
No answer.
She rushed in moments later, her face tense.
“Where’s Ella?” I asked.
“She’s probably outside,” she said. “Stay in bed.”
Her voice was unsteady.
I heard the back door open.
“Ella!” she called.
The Search Begins
Then the police arrived.
Blue jackets. Wet boots. Radios crackling.
Questions filled the air.
“What was she wearing?”
“Where did she like to play?”
“Did she talk to strangers?”
I did not know how to answer.
