**The Call That Changed Everything**
Emma stood by the window, staring at the dim outline of the garden below.
*”The streetlights are out again. Its past ten, and Sophie still isnt home. If only she knew how worried I am. Shes only fourteen. Yet she manipulates her father like a grown woman, and he believes every word she says, handing her money whenever she demands it.”*
The gate slammed, and familiar footsteps echoed through the alley. *”Sophie,”* Emma thought, stepping back from the windowGod forbid her daughter caught her watching. That would only lead to another argument.
“Mum, Im home!” Sophie shouted from the doorway. “Got anything to eat?”
“And wheres my hello?” Emma moved to kiss her daughters cheek, but Sophie twisted away, darting into her room.
“Im starving! I dont have time for this!”
“Where exactly are you rushing off to at this hour? Its past ten.” Emmas stomach tightenedanother fight was brewing.
“Here we go again,” Sophie muttered just loud enough for her to hear. “Im nearly fifteen, Im not a child!”
She flung clothes onto the floor, digging through her wardrobe for the right outfit. Emma watched helplessly.
*”What do I say? How do I stop her?”*
“What are you standing there for?” Sophie snapped. “Im going clubbing with the girls. Its Halloweeneveryones celebrating. Why shouldnt I?”
She pulled out a dressshort, backless, trimmed with red lace.
“Sophie, where did you get that? Its inappropriate. Do you know the kind of girls wear things like that?”
“I dont care! I bought it on sale for Halloween. Dad gave me the money.”
Sophie grabbed a pair of towering red heels.
“Brilliant, right?” She strutted in front of her mother, swaying her hips. “Toms going to lose his mind when he sees me.”
“Youre not going,” Emma said quietly.
“What?!” Sophie spun around.
“Since when do you get to tell me what to do? Look at you! Youre a mess! Dad left you, and no one else has bothered picking up the pieces!”
“A mess,” she repeated, savoring the cruelty.
Emma snapped. Her hand lashed outa sharp crack rang through the room. Then she stormed out, slamming the door behind her as Sophies screams followed.
“You witch! I hate you! You’ll regret this!”
Emma locked herself in the bathroom, splashing cold water on her face. She stared at her reflection, bitter laughter bubbling up.
*”A mess. Really? Ive got a career I love, a comfortable flat, and Im not exactly hard to look at. But with Sophienothing works. Since she turned twelve, its like shes a stranger. Disrespectful, smoking when she thinks I dont notice. Everything I say is wrong. The vicar says its pridemaybe hes right. I saw a therapist, tried her advice, but nothing changes. Every day, we drift further apart. Like Im her enemy, not her mother. If only she knew how much I love her. How my heart aches for her. I hit herwhat do I do now? Dont cry. Dont you dare cry.”*
She opened the doorSophie was on the phone, voice sharp with excitement. *”Toms gonna be there. I promised him Id come…”*
*”Tom. I remember him in primary schooltiny, big-eyed, like a tadpole. Now hes all grown up, handsome. No wonder the girls swoon. And he likes my Sophie. But then, who wouldnt?”*
Emma sighed, locked the front door from the inside, and hid the key. *”Shes not going out tonight. No way. Tom will survive. And Halloweenits all nonsense anyway, devils business.”*
She tiptoed toward her room, but Sophie heard her.
“Ill never forgive you for this!” Her face twisted with hate. “Ill jump out this window if I have to, but Im leaving! You dont understand love! Hes waiting for me!”
“If Tom really loves you, hell wait as long as it takes,” Emma said softly, searching her daughters face. *”My poor girl. How do I help you?”*
“What are you staring at, you useless cow?” Sophie shrieked. “Ill call Dadhell take me himself!”
“Go ahead,” Emma replied. “But youre not leaving. The doors locked.”
Sophie went eerily still. “Fine. You asked for it.”
Emma listened as her daughter kicked off her heels, then started whispering into the phone. Sinister giggles slipped through the door.
*”No need to go looking for Halloween. Its come to us.”* She wiped her tears, swallowed a sleeping pill. *”Maybe tomorrow will be easier.”*
—
The alarm blared. Emma rubbed the sleep from her eyes, washed up, and started breakfast. She wasnt one for grudges, and Sophie usually cooled off by morning.
But not today.
Sophie stormed past the table, stone-faced, dressed in a hurry. She grabbed her birth certificate on the way out.
All day, Emma pushed thoughts of their fight asideuntil she left the office. Then it flooded back. *”Hows Sophie? Has she forgiven me? What do I say? Should I apologize for the slap? If only she knew how her words cut. My heart hasnt been rightlast ECG was worrisome. Ill get home, well have tea and biscuits, make up. Just hold on.”*
Relief washed over her as she bought Sophies favourite eclairs.
“Love! I got your treats! Lets make up!” Emma called as she stepped inside.
Silence.
She walked into the kitchen. No Sophie. The sandwiches from breakfast sat untouched.
*”Better a bad peace than a good quarrel.”* She dialled Sophies numberthen froze as her own phone rang. Unknown caller.
“Emma Whitmore?” A metallic female voice. “Valerie Atkinson, Child Services. Your daughter filed a report alleging abuse. Weve taken her into temporary care pending court proceedings.”
“What?!” Emmas voice shattered. “Thats impossible!”
“Your daughter is at a safeguarding residence. A judge will decide on custody.”
“Custody?! On what grounds?!”
“Physical violence. Or have you forgotten?”
“How dare you!” Emma gasped for air.
“We dare. Your rights end where hers begin. See you in court.”
“Where is she? Tell me where!” The line went dead.
—
Valerie visited Sophie that evening, bringing chocolate. “Justice was served today,” she said smugly. “Your mother wont hurt you again.”
Sophie frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Youre being transferred to a childrens home. New friends, maybe even a new family.”
“What?! No! I want to go home! To Mum!”
Valerie scoffed. “After what you accused her of?”
“I just wanted to scare her! Make her stop bossing me!”
“Well, you scared her to death.”
The colour drained from Sophies face. “What?”
“Heart attack. My condolences.”
Sophie collapsed, howling. “Mum, no! I cant live without you!”
Valerie rolled her eyes. “She screamed at you, hit you”
“She was the best mum in the world!” Sophie shoved her away. “I wont go to any home! Ill run!”
“Dont be absurd.” Valerie shut the door on her sobs.
Outside, snow fell softly. Valerie admired her reflection. *”Time for a new coat. Maybe mink.”*
Thenshattering glass.
Sophie landed at her feet, a red splash on white snow.
—
She survivedbut was left wheelchair-bound.
Her father wanted custody, but his new wife refused.
Sophie was sent to a care home. The bank sued her for her mothers unpaid legal debt.
Tom visits sometimes.
