I turned to help Clara with the children.

“Come on, Owen,” I said gently. “We are here.”

He didn’t answer, his eyes half-closed as he clung to his bear.

I lifted him out of the seat, his small, hot face pressing against my shoulder.

Clara took Lily, who was crying silently now, her tears freezing on her cheeks.

We hurried up the wooden steps of the porch just as Marco threw the front door open.

Inside, the air was freezing, but the lights came on, casting a warm yellow glow over the dusty furniture.

I carried Owen into the living room and laid him on the large plaid sofa.

“I will start the furnace,” Marco said, disappearing down the hall.

Clara sat beside Owen, rubbing his cold hands while Lily stood by the door, staring at the unfamiliar room.

“It is okay, Lily,” I said, walking over to her and kneeling down. “We are safe here.”

Suddenly, the headlights of another vehicle swept across the front windows, illuminating the dust motes dancing in the air.

My heart stopped.

We hadn’t been followed.