The fabric tore as I ripped myself away from his grip.

I stumbled out of the nursery and into the dark hallway.

Below, the front door clicked open.

“Upstairs,” a heavy voice called out from the foyer.

I didn’t look back.

I ran down the hallway toward the back stairs, the ones that led to the kitchen.

My boots thudded loudly on the wooden floorboards.

“Stop him,” Vance yelled from the nursery doorway.

The yellow light from the nursery flickered as Vance turned on the hallway switch.

The sudden glare blinded me for a second.

I found the door to the back staircase and threw it open.

It was pitch black inside.

I felt for the railing and threw myself down the narrow steps.

My shoulder scraped against the plaster wall.

I reached the bottom, bursting into the cold kitchen.

The smell of lavender and bleach hung heavy in the air.

It was the same smell that had been on Megan’s tea mug.

I ran to the back door, unlocked the deadbolt, and pushed it open.

The cold Chicago wind hit my face, carrying the scent of incoming snow.