Page 8 of Blackwood

His hand tightens around mine, then lets go. “Stay here,” he says, voice low and rough enough to scar. “Hey, Jack.”

Before they can take a step, the SUV eases back, tires crunching slow over gravel almost like it wanted us to see it leave. Like it wanted us to remember.

“Probably someone lost,” Aunt Claire says, but her hand presses harder against my back like a shield.

She’s lying.

I don’t know how I know.

Only that I do.

Something has changed.

Something has started.

And my Mama isn’t here anymore to stop it.

Chapter 5

BELLA – Age 10

Fayetteville, Arkansas

The new year is starting with words I know but don’t fully understand. Big, cold words spoken at the front door—custody,violation,investigation. My stomach hurts like when you eat too much candy. Only worse.

I slip off my bed. My heart thudding. Mr. Piggles clutched in one hand and my other fisting in the hem of my purple sweater.

From the hallway shadows, I see them. Two strangers in stiff clothes. A man and a woman. The man has a clipboard. The woman keeps glancing past Aunt Claire, like she already knows exactly where I am.

“I don’t understand,” Aunt Claire says, her voice tight with panic. “You can’t just show up and—”

“Ma’am,” the woman cuts in, calm and firm. “We have legal cause. There’s been a flag in the system. The child—”

“Her name is Bella,” Aunt Claire snaps.

The woman sighs, “We need to speak to the legal guardian. Is he home?”

“He’s at work. But you can’t just—”

Then I hear it, the roar of Daddy’s truck. A second later, the front door slams open. “What the hell is going on here?”

The strangers turn, but Daddy is already storming forward. “Who are you?” he barks. “Why are you in my house?”

“Mr. Harrington,” the man says, still trying to stay calm, “We’re with Child Protective Services. We received a tip regarding forged birth records and falsified documen—”

“What?” Daddy’s voice raises. “Get the hell out of my house.”

“Sir, we have legal cause to be here. Isabella is not your biological child. There is no medical record of your wife’s pregnancy or delivery. The paperwork appears—”

“She doesn’t need paperwork. She needs a family!” Daddy roars, stepping so close the man flinches. “Get the hell out of my house, NOW!”

“I’m sorry, sir. We’re required to place her in emergency foster care, for her safety.”

“Safety,” Daddy’s voice breaks. “You think strangers are safer than her own damn father?”

He’s shaking now. Chest heaving. Eyes wild. “You won’t fucking take my daughter.”

Aunt Claire steps in between them, hands trembling. “Please, don’t do this. Elise, her mother, she just passed. Henry’s the only parent she has left.”