“What is it, Aunt Jessica? Is Lyra okay?”

“No.”

“What happened? Spill it now!”

“Lilliana is dead. She had been missing for two days. They found the body today in her apartment. She was murdered.”

Rodney found the nearest chair and sat on it. He felt weak. He had never had a good relationship with Lilliana but his heart went out to Lyra, the eight year old girl who had been left alone.”

“How is Lyra taking it?”

“Well, it’s terrible for her. She’s very young. You need to come here. She loves you and you are the only sibling that cared about her. Emilia and Rodrigo don’t care at all.”

“Of course. I’ll leave as soon as I can.”

“Thank you.”

When the call was ended, Rodney remained seated. When he thought of Lyra’s condition, he felt a tear coming out of his eye. It reminded him of the day he lost his mother under Alberto’s hands. It was the worst day of his life. Yet, he was 18. How could an eight year old deal with something like that?

The door opened. He didn’t have to look up to know th