I carefully eased Mia up, drops of blood dripping down her face. My heart seized in my chest. But before I could get any words out, Will appeared in the hall. “What the hell?” His eyes widened as he took in the glass all around us.

The fear and anger on his face jarred me out of my panic. “Will, get Ava. Get to the girls’ bedroom.”

Will pulled Ava to her feet, wrapping an arm around her as he hurried her along. I lifted a sobbing Mia into my arms and ran towards the bedroom, but not before I caught sight of what looked like a brick on our living room floor. I forced the shudder down as I gripped Mia tighter.

As soon as we reached the bedroom, I pulled out my phone and dialed 9-1-1. The dispatcher picked up on the second ring. “Sheriff’s department. What’s your emergency?”

“This is Caelyn O’Connor. Someone just threw a brick through my front window. My little sister is injured. And I don’t know if anyone is still out there. Can you send someone?” The tremble in my voice gave away my fear.

“Are you somewhere safe now? Can you lock yourself in another room?”

“There’s no lock,” I began, but as I did so, Will slid the girls’ dresser in front of the door. “We’ve got something that will keep people out.”

“Good. Stay where you are. I have deputies on the way. Can you remain on the line?”

I sat on the bed, Mia still crying in my arms. “I’m going to give you to my brother. I need to assess my little sister’s injuries.”

“All right,” the dispatcher agreed.

I handed the phone to Will. “Can you talk to her?” He nodded, and I turned my attention to Mia. “I gotta let you go so I can look at your face, Mi.” She only clung harder to me. “It’s okay. You’re okay. I just need to check your cut.” I took one of Mia’s hands and hooked her fingers through the belt loop on my jeans. “Just hold onto me here. I’m not going anywhere.”

Mia’s fingers tightened on the loop, and I was able to extricate myself from her hold. I quickly took inventory of Mia’s face. Her cheek had a series of small cuts, but nothing looked too serious. “Does it hurt anywhere other than your cheek?”

Mia shook her head, and I let out a breath. “Okay. Ava, can you hand me a tissue from your desk?”

Ava was by my side in a flash, the box in hand. “Here you go.” She was quiet for a moment before asking in a small voice, “Is she going to be okay?”

I gave Ava a smile I hoped didn’t read as false as it felt. “She’s going to be just fine.”