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Chapter 46

The park was quiet in the best way-peaceful and full of life at the same time. I loved this part of the day, just Eden and me, soaking in the late-afternoon sunshine. She kicked her tiny feet in the stroller, wrapped snugly in her favorite blanket. At only five months old, she already had the brightest smile and the loudest little giggles. Every time she laughed, my heart felt a little fuller.

"You're having a good day, aren't you, munchkin?" I murmured, pushing the stroller slowly along the path. The trees overhead swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves dancing in the sunlight. "Look at you-queen of the park!"

Eden responded with a soft coo, her little fists waving at the air. I couldn't help but smile.

The path curved ahead into a quieter part of the park, where the trees grew closer together and the voices of other parkgoers faded into the background. I loved this spot-it always felt like our own little retreat, a moment of calm in the middle of everything.

Reaching into the stroller's cupholder, I grabbed Eden's bottle and unscrewed the cap. She was due for a quick snack, and I figured we'd stop at the next bench to rest.

That's when I heard it. A shuffle of footsteps-too fast, too close.

I turned my head just as something slammed into the back of my skull. The pain was immediate and overwhelming, like a lightning bolt splitting my mind in two. I stumbled forward, my grip on the stroller tightening as my legs gave out beneath me.

The bottle fell to the ground with a hollow clatter. Eden's startled cry filled the air, sharp and panicked.

"Eden!" I gasped, my voice weak and shaky. My head throbbed unbearably, the pain making it hard to think, hard to move.

I tried to hold onto the stroller, to keep her safe, but my arms felt like jelly. I hit the ground hard, my knees scraping against the pavement. My vision blurred, but through the haze, I saw a figure-tall, wearing a hoodie-step out of the shadows.

"Stay away!" I croaked, but the words barely came out. My body wasn't listening to me.

The figure ignored me. They moved quickly toward the stroller. I could see their hands, rough and steady, reaching for Eden.

"No!" I screamed, summoning every ounce of strength I had. I tried to crawl, to reach them, but my arms gave out, and I collapsed again.

Through the haze of pain, I heard Eden's terrified cries as the figure lifted her out of the stroller. Her little arms flailed, reaching for me as she screamed.

"Eden!" My voice cracked, my desperation cutting through the fog in my mind. "Don't take her! Please!"

But they didn't stop. They turned and started running, Eden clutched tightly against their chest.

The world spun around me, my vision narrowing as panic surged through my veins. My baby. My Eden. She was gone, and I couldn't do anything.

I tried to get up again, my hands clawing at the pavement, but the pounding in my head was unbearable. The world tilted violently, and I collapsed once more, my strength completely drained.

"Help," I whispered, tears streaming down my face as darkness began to close in around me.

Eden's cries grew fainter, more distant, until I could no longer hear them. My heart shattered as I slipped into unconsciousness, my last thought a desperate prayer for her safety.

And then, everything went black.