The late autumn sky over Ashford was pale silver, clouds drifting lazily as the traffic on Route 27 rolled steadily along. To anyone else, it was an ordinary afternoon. But in the backseat of Helen Maren’s car, a five-year-old girl in a glittering princess dress was about to change a man’s fate—and perhaps something far greater.
Her name was Sophie Maren. With her tangled blonde hair, flashing light-up sneakers, and stubborn spirit, she was the kind of child who seemed too small for the size of her heart. She had just come from a kindergarten party, still dressed like a fairy-tale princess, sequins shimmering as she kicked her feet against the car seat.
Then, all at once, she froze. Her blue eyes widened, and she let out a piercing cry.
“Mommy, stop! Stop the car! The motorcycle man is dying!”
Helen nearly slammed on the brakes. “What are you talking about, Sophie? There’s no one there.”
