I was just doing my usual grocery shopping when I found a little girl sitting in my cart. She looked up at me, her eyes filled with fear, and whispered, "Don't give me back, I'm scared." In that moment, I knew everything was about to change.

“You can’t fix everything, Rachel. This is a bad idea.”

“I called James,” I said, trying to ease her worries by mentioning my detective friend. “He’s looking into it. We’ll figure this out.”

Melissa let out a frustrated sigh, muttering under her breath. I ignored her. My focus was on Lily.

***

The next morning, it happened just as I feared. There was a knock on the door, I knew who it was before I even opened it. Social services.

I hoped I had more time, but Melissa had already taken matters into her own hands. She was quick to act whenever something worried her.

I answered the door, and two social workers explained they were there to take Lily. I knew I had no real right to keep her, no matter how much I wanted to.

“We’ll take her into care until we can sort things out,” one of the workers said.

I glanced over at Lily, who was standing by the table, clutching the edge.

“I... I just need a minute,” I stammered.

I knelt down next to Lily, my heart breaking at the thought of her being taken away.

“Lily, sweetie, you have to go with them for now. They’re going to help you.”

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