Lily was sitting in her room reading when she suddenly heard a loud crash echo through the mansion.
The sound startled her.
At first, she assumed something had fallen.
Then came silence.
An unnatural silence.
Concerned, Lily left her room and walked toward the staircase.
As she reached the second floor railing, she noticed something lying below.
Her heart immediately stopped.
"Mom!"
Victoria was sprawled across the marble floor.
Lily raced downstairs as fast as she could.
Tears already filled her eyes.
When she reached her mother, she dropped to her knees beside her.
A dark stain was spreading across Victoria's cream-colored jacket.
"Mom, wake up please..."
Her voice trembled.
Victoria didn't respond.
Lily shook her shoulder gently.
Nothing.
Panic consumed her.
She had never felt so helpless.
The woman who always protected her now looked frighteningly vulnerable.
Lily desperately searched for signs that her mother was still alive.
Then she noticed faint breathing.
Relief mixed with terror.
Her mother was alive.
But badly hurt.
The young girl had no idea who had attacked Victoria or why.
All she knew was that she needed help immediately.
Unfortunately, before help arrived, someone else appeared first.