Chapter 64: The Strength Within.

"Mom, I'm scared Chloe's heart squeezed tight at the tremor of fear in the small voice belonging to Emily, and she squatted low, taking her daughter into a tight embrace, trying to give some comfort and peace to her. "I know, baby. I'm scared too," she whispered against Emily's hair. Outside, the wewailing sirens sliced through the night, punctuated by the flickering blue and red of lights that painted the walls in some kind of eerie kaleidoscope. The rain hit the windows in thick droplets that felt like they were stinging. Honestly, it looked like the heavens themselves were weeping. Pulling back, Chloe cupped Emily's face in her palms, daintily stroking the tears that flowed from her eyes. "But we're going to get through this, you hear me? No matter how bad things may seem right now, we have each other. And that's all that matters." Her own voice in her ears was far too brave compared to the way she felt. Inside, her heart was a frantic hummingbird—fear and uncertainty seeme