"What's the problem, Mom?" Cassie asked the moment she picked up the call, worry seeping into her voice before Corrine could even finish her first sentence.
Corrine sounded flustered, words tumbling out fast, like she'd been holding them in for too long. "Fred brought Rose over this evening. They said they couldn't carry the food along with them, so Rose stayed behind for a bit."
Cassie straightened instinctively. "Is Rose okay?"
"Yes, yes," Corrine reassured quickly. "That's not it. I thought she should eat first and shower before they left. So I helped her with her shower, warmed up her food, and then went upstairs to pack her bag. But while I was upstairs, I heard her screaming my name."
Corrine paused, and Cassie's chest tightened. "I rushed downstairs immediately," her m
