Outside, the air felt heavy, filled with an unusual tension. Then Eliza heard a sound – a metallic crash, mixed with confused voices.
A short distance down the road, several cars were stopped at odd angles, and one vehicle had veered off the road and ended up against a tree. People were gathering nearby, worried and trying to figure out what had happened. Eliza felt her heart drop.
Inside the car was a woman, shaken but conscious. Beside her sat a little girl, quiet and scared, curled up against her seat. The door was partly stuck, preventing them from getting out by themselves.
– “Don’t be afraid, we’re here,” said Eliza, stepping closer.
Matteo and several other men arrived, carefully pried open the car door, and helped the woman and child step out. Someone called for help. Everything moved quickly but remained calm. There was worry, yet also solidarity, kindness, and the reassuring presence of people willing to help.
The little girl wrapped her arms around Eliza and whispered:
– “The dog was with us… then it left…”
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