My fingers trembled as I set it to silent mode.

“How do we get her out?” Harris asked.

“We don’t need to get her out yet,” Julian said.

I heard him tap his knuckles against the wood of the door.

It sounded like a casket being nailed shut.

“Clara,” Julian said, his voice dropping to a soft, conversational tone.

“I know you can hear me.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, refusing to answer.

“You always liked this pantry,” he said. “You spent hours in here organizing your spices. Labeling everything.”

He laughed softly.

“It’s a shame we have to ruin the house,” he added.

“What do you mean, ruin the house?” Harris asked.

His voice had a sharp edge of panic.

“This wasn’t part of the plan, Julian.”

“Plans change when people lock themselves in safe rooms,” Julian said.

I heard him walk over to the stove.

The metallic click of the burner dial turning echoed in the darkness.

Then another click.

And another.

“The gas is still flowing,” Julian remarked.

“Are you crazy?” Harris whispered. “If this place goes up, the whole county will see it.”