The Years Between Signing and Seeing novel Chapter 100

Suzie sat back down on the edge of the planter, her gaze distant and unfocused. For some reason, the image of Jamie's blood-streaked face flashed through her mind again and again. He had looked so badly injured lying there. She suddenly remembered that she had twice cursed him, wishing he were dead.

Was this some kind of twisted fulfillment? She had never been a malicious person; on the contrary, she was incredibly soft-hearted. She hated him, and she had meant those words in the heat of her anger, but she had never truly wanted him to die.

At the thought, Suzie’s trembling hands instinctively moved to gently cradle her stomach. A wave of unease washed over her, and her thoughts became a tangled mess.

“Suzie, have some juice.”

Stella’s voice from above broke her trance. Suzie blinked and started to stand, but Stella motioned for her to stay seated.

“You heard me when I called Oliver, didn’t you?” Stella asked in a low voice, handing Suzie a bottle of freshly squeezed juice. She then sank down onto the planter beside her.

Suzie clutched the bottle, silent for a long moment as she pushed back the turmoil inside her. “How are Mr. and Mrs. Cross?” she asked, pulling a wet wipe from her bag and offering it to Stella for the bloodstains on her arm.

Stella waved it away and let out a heavy sigh. “Mr. Cross is going to be alright. He’s been moved to a room. But Mrs. Cross… she’s still in surgery. Oliver is just squatting by the door, not saying a word.”

Suzie’s eyes welled with tears. “What on earth happened?”

Suzie’s face turned pale. She held her breath, waiting for Stella to continue.

“Mr. Cross reacted and tried to protect Mrs. Cross, but it was too late. According to him, the man didn’t try to take their bags or harm anyone else. It didn’t seem like a random attack. It was as if… as if he had chosen his targets.”

As she finished, tears streamed down Stella’s face. She grabbed Suzie’s hand tightly. “You, me, Oliver… we all grew up together. You know better than anyone how kind Mr. and Mrs. Cross are. Suzie, who could they possibly have offended to deserve this?”

Stella’s grief was contagious, and Suzie found herself crying along with her. After a few moments, Suzie finally managed to ask, “I hope Mrs. Cross will be okay. Stella, have the police been called? There should be security cameras by the lake, right? They should be able to find him.”