“We are under instructions—” the guard began.

“I don’t care about your instructions,” Garrett yelled, running up behind me.

The guard looked at Garrett and hesitated. “Mr. Bradford?”

“Let us in,” Garrett ordered. “Now.”

The guard looked at his partner, then slowly stepped aside.

I grabbed the brass doorknob.

It was locked.

I reached into my bag, my fingers scrambling for my keys.

My hands were shaking so badly I dropped them on the porch.

They made a sharp metallic clatter on the wet wood.

I knelt down, grabbed them, and shoved the key into the lock.

I turned it and pushed the door open.

The hallway inside was completely dark.

“Mom?” I called out.

There was no answer.

Only the sound of the wind howling through the trees outside.

“Mom! Owen! Leo! Wyatt!” I screamed.

I fumbled along the wall for the light switch and flipped it.

The hallway flooded with bright light.

At the far end of the hall, near the kitchen, a shadow moved.

I took three steps forward.

A figure emerged from the kitchen.

It wasn’t Vivian.