The afternoon heat grew stronger, causing the air around the backyard pool to shimmer under the clear Texas sky. Clara was wiping down the patio tables when she heard a sudden, sharp gasp coming from the top balcony railing. She looked up and saw Sarah leaning far over the edge, reaching for a decorative banner that had fallen lose. The balcony railing was currently undergoing repairs, and a thick heavy rope was tied to the iron framework above. Clara felt a sudden wave of panic shoot through her body as she watched Sarah lose her balance.
Sarah's foot slipped on the slick tiles, and she let out a loud, terrifying shriek as her body tipped backward. Her hands scrambled frantically in the air before catching the thick rope hanging over the edge of the balcony floor. Sarah was now hanging in mid-air, dangling right over the deep end of the bright blue swimming pool below. The rope creaked under her weight, slipping slightly against the polished iron beams of the second-story patio wall.
Sarah: Somebody help! Please!
Clara dropped her cloth and ran up the grand spiral staircase as fast as her legs could carry her. Her heart pounded in her chest like a heavy drum as she pushed open the balcony door into the heat. She saw Sarah clinging to the thick rope, her face pale with utter terror as her feet kicked uselessly. Evelyn was standing right near the railing, her face cold, calm, and completely devoid of any human empathy or care. Clara threw herself toward the railing, grabbing the thick rope with both of her hands to support Sarah.
Clara: I have you! Hold on tight!
Sarah: Clara, help me! My hands are slipping so fast!
Clara strained her muscles, digging her shoes into the concrete floor as she tried to pull the heavy rope upward. Her hands burned from the friction, but she refused to let go of the pregnant woman dangling above the pool. Suddenly, Evelyn stepped forward and placed her dark shoes right next to Clara's straining hands on the concrete wall. Evelyn leaned over the edge, shouting down at Clara with a look of pure hatred and uncontrolled rage in her eyes.
Evelyn: Let her fall! Let her fall! Let her go!
Clara: Are you insane?! She will get hurt or killed!
Evelyn: She brought this on herself! Let go of that rope right now!
Clara held on even tighter, her teeth gritted as pain shot up through her arms and into her back. She could not believe that a mother could be so cruel to her own family member in a crisis. Sarah was weeping uncontrollably, her voice raw as she screamed for someone to save her from the drop. Clara looked around wildly for help, hoping that someone else in the house would hear the screaming and run out.