A neighbor put a hand on her shoulder. Another offered a phone to call someone—anyone. But Lisa’s mind was spinning. She didn’t want comfort. She wanted Coco. She wanted to rewind the morning and reach her in time. But time only moved forward.
Theories bubbled up quickly. Maybe the eagle was part of some illegal wildlife operation. Maybe it had mistaken Coco for prey. Others blamed climate shifts, claiming animals were behaving more erratically. But none of it mattered. Coco was gone, and Lisa could barely stand.