"Dad… I–"
"Go," he insisted, squeezing her shoulder. Lina nodded and rushed to Sera, her heart breaking at the sight of her friend's face—twisted with agony, eyes wild, hair disheveled, body shaking uncontrollably as Benedict held her back.
"Sera," she whispered.
Sera threw herself into Lina, gasping.
Benedict stood and introduced himself to Lina's father with a grim nod. They exchanged quick words—procedural details, next steps, contacting authorities, keeping Sera shielded from anything that would worsen the trauma.
"Sera is the only family Brianna has. But she doesn't need to bare the responsibilities," Benedict said quietly, jaw clenched. "She shouldn't have to." Sera's sobs echoed as Lina led her away and Lina's father nodded in agreement.
"We'll handle everything. She's still just a girl." Benedict's throat tightened.
