I froze, my heart hammering against my ribs as I listened.

A shadow moved across the frosted glass of the kitchen window, slow and deliberate.

I crept toward the crib, my hands shaking as I reached down to lift Owen into my arms.

Before I could reach him, the power in the kitchen suddenly cut out, plunging the entire house into absolute darkness.

In the silence, my phone screen lit up on the counter, the glow casting a pale blue light across the room.

An unknown number was calling.

I reached out with a trembling hand and picked up the phone.

I swiped the screen and pressed the cold glass to my ear.

“Hannah,” a voice hissed.

It was not Jake.

It was Walter, his voice dry and scraping like sandpaper.

“Put my husband on the line,” I said, trying to keep my voice from shaking.

“He is not there, Hannah,” Walter said. “And you are alone in the dark with my grandson.”

“Leave us alone,” I said.

“Look out the kitchen window,” Walter said.

I turned my head slowly toward the frosted glass.