Playing Stella's Game

In the quiet that settled after the last of the police cars and the ambulance departed, the Swift family remained frozen in their grief. Stella sat crumpled on the couch, rocking back and forth as she clutched her face, her wails filling the air.

"Adam… no… Adam!" she cried, her voice hoarse with desperation. She seemed oblivious to her surroundings, her eyes glazed with disbelief.

Meanwhile, Aurora leaned heavily on Xander's shoulder, her face buried in the fabric of his suit, her tears flowing nonstop. Xander gently rubbed her back in soothing circles, his own expression clouded with concern as he held her close.

After a while, he lowered his voice and asked softly, "Will you come home with me tonight?"