Chapter 2: Four Days Too Late
Rescue crews reached the ravine just after noon.
The pickup looked crushed beneath broken trees.
David was still inside.
His hand rested against the passenger seat.
Not empty.
He had been protecting the grocery bag until the very end.
The stocking.
The medicine.
The bread.
Investigators later learned he had survived the crash for nearly eighteen hours.
His phone battery had died after repeated attempts to call 911.
His final outgoing call...
was to Chloe.
It never connected.
Detective Ellis quietly removed a folded envelope from David's jacket.
On the front were two words.
For Chloe.
Inside was a handwritten note.
"I'm sorry Christmas is small this year.
I know Mommy would have made it magical.
Next year will be better.
I promise."May you like
The rescue workers stood in complete silence.
Even seasoned deputies wiped away tears.
