Lisa screamed. A raw, guttural sound that startled even the birds from the trees. But it was too late. The eagle ascended again, soaring high, with Coco clutched in its deadly grip. Her puppy’s limbs flailed, her yelps growing fainter as they disappeared into the sky.
The neighbors stood still, stunned. Someone dropped their phone. A woman gasped. No one moved—not at first. It was as if time had halted. The surreal horror of it all stunned them into silence. Lisa felt like her lungs had collapsed. Her knees nearly gave out.