The veterinarian hospital closest to Sonder Hill is not particularly big. In fact, it’s quite small. So the moment we step inside, we spot Callie and Martina huddled together in the brightly lit, sterile waiting room.

Aaron’s footsteps hurry toward them as I keep a slow pace, doing everything I can to control my breathing. While driving out of Boston, Aaron explained to me what happened, or at least what little he had heard of the situation. Even with that information, I feel like I’m currently walking into the unknown and need to be ready for anything, which explains my holding back from going to question them right away. If I do, I probably won’t be able to stop talking and panicking.

Although Aaron does enough panicking for the both of us.

“How did this happen?” he utters midway into the room, making heads turn toward him, including his mother’s and little sister’s. Callie’s cheeks are drenched in tears, her face turned into a deep scowl.

Instead of speaking to him, though, Callie gets up and runs in my direction. “I’m so sorry, Wren. I turned around for one minute to grab something in my closet, and next thing I knew, Maybelle was falling down the stairs.” The last words come out as wails. “I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry.”

“Hey, sweetheart,” I say, crouching a little so we’re eye to eye. “It wasn’t your fault. May is old and can’t see, and it’s something that was likely to happen at some point.” I don’t allow the lump in my throat to grow or to clog my voice. This little girl who’s gone through so much needs my comfort. This is what I need to focus on.

From the corner of my eye, I see Aaron briefly talking to Martina before he rushes to the front desk, maybe to ask questions. I should’ve thought of doing that before. My mind is a complete blur.

“But I was supposed to watch over h-h-her,” she cries again, her brown eyes drowning in tears.

“It wouldn’t have changed anything if it had been someone else. She is fast, and she could’ve fallen from somewhere with me too.” I use the word is, but it very well might be was. Maybelle is old, and she’s small and frail. There’s a chance that—

No. I won’t even think about it. Not until I’m alone at home and can truly break down.

“I went after her when I heard her shriek, and I tried to see if she was hurt anywhere, but there was blood and—”

“Come here, sweetheart,” I say before pulling her into my arms, closing my eyes long enough for me to regain some self-control. “I’m not angry at you. It wasn’t your fault, and I need you to understand that.”