54

BRIDGER

JULY 4, 2013

Vika’s attention shifts from Dad and me to where Alora is sitting by Grace. “Where is she?”

Alora isn’t there anymore.

“Where did she go?” Vika yells, looking all around.

Alora materializes a few feet behind Vika. I almost allow myself to feel relief. Until Dad lunges toward Vika.

And Vika sees Dad coming.

In that very moment, I realize Alora is the reason Dad will die. I should stop him. Try to tackle him or something. But I don’t. Something Dad told me once rings in my ears.

Everything happens for a reason.

Those few words make me stay still. A part of me dies as Vika fires the gun.

This time hitting my father.