WHEN WORLD'S COLLIDE

forting. She crouched beside me, her eyes filled with a deep understanding and empathy.

Tears I had been holding back began to flow freely, my body shaking with sobs. The t

d soothing words into my ear, her voice a gentle melody that seemed to calm the storm within me.

rhythm. She didn't try to shush me or tell me to stop crying, simply allowing me to release all

aving me feeling drained but slightly more composed. Mrs. Peter's grip

Take a rest, clear your mind, and come back tomorrow." Her e

on silenced me. "I mean it, Dovey," she said, her tone brooki

gged her tightly, thanking her for her understanding and support. Emily, who h

d, still feeling a bit shaky, and allowed Emily to escort me out of the c

*

ey up at 4:00 pm, and now it was 4:30 pm. I couldn't wait to see her, to hold her in my arms and make up for lo

ation. I couldn't help but think about Dovey's smile, her laugh, and her captiv

ing and whispering. I ignored them, my eyes scanning the room for Dovey's fam

I asked Emily,

, who was watching us with a keen eye. "She's not he

t do you mean she's not here? I was

ion firm but sympathetic. "I gave

my hair in exasperation. "What hap

hing happened a while ago, and it's not my pla

st-case scenarios. I tried to press Mrs. Peter fo

to find her there and get some answers. As I drove away from the cafe, my

at was going on? My curiosity grew with each passing minute, until I felt like I was going to burst. I t

ience growing with each passing second. Five minutes felt like an eternity as I stood ther

nd puffy. She sniffled, her eyes glistening with tears. "I'm sorry I

her in my arms and keep her safe from the world. But I pushed those feelings aside, re

, trying to sound calm. "You

tricity run through my body, and for a moment, I forgot about everythi

small but cozy, filled with plush dolls and the sound of cartoons p

asked, my voice softening.

I thought she was going to open up, to tell me what was wron

said, her voice barely abo

rn boiling over. She flinched at my harsh tone, and I immediately regretted my outburst. I took a

ould see the tears welling up in her eyes, and my heart ached wi

over, streaming down her face as she struggled to speak. "I..

ands clenching into fists, my body tensing with the urge to lash out. But I knew

dy shaking with sobs. I wrapped my arms around her, holding her close as she cried. I didn't try to

ve been there to protect her, to prevent this from happening. But I kn

side. I stroked her hair, my touch gentle. "It's okay,