A prompt medical screening derived no serious injury, so Jessica returned home that same night. She wouldn't leave, at first. Beth's remains were somewhere; they had to be. The cleanup crew was coy, however, and offered nothing until they came upon the necklace, the six-sided star.

Under the dark sky, only the sound of her feet brought company. Hers was a slow gait of remorse, down and down the village avenues, head low in the cast shadow of evening lights. Plenty of white ...