Before I could even process his words, the headlights of an unknown black car appeared at the bottom of the long driveway, speeding toward the house.

The engine roared in the quiet morning air.

The car skidded to a halt just yards away from us, kicking up wet gravel.

The back door slowly swung open.

I held the boys behind me, my heart freezing in my chest.

From the shadows of the backseat, a small, pale hand reached out.

Holding a silver, tarnished baby rattle.

The exact duplicate of the one I had kept in my drawer for five years.

A woman’s voice spoke from inside the dark vehicle.

“We have been waiting for you, Claire.”

The car door slammed shut, and the tires screeched as it reversed back down the driveway.

“Daniel!” I screamed.

The phone in his hand began to ring again.

The screen lit up with a single, glowing word: *UNKNOWN.*

The world seemed to spin as the taillights disappeared into the morning fog.

We stood on the gravel, completely frozen.

The silence of the estate was louder than any alarm.