The silent siren of a distant police car reflected on the wet glass.

Ethan froze, his eyes widening as he stared at the window.

“What did you do?” he whispered, his voice cracking.

My phone, still in my pocket, began to vibrate again.

The screen lit up through the fabric of my coat, casting a pale blue glow in the dim attic.

Ethan lunged toward me, his face twisted in rage.

Daniel shoved his shoulder into Ethan’s chest before Ethan could reach me.

Ethan stumbled back against a stack of dusty trunks, the gun wavering in his hand.

The metal barrel glinted in the blue light flashing through the small octagonal window.

“Don’t touch her,” Daniel said, his voice flat and steady.

Ethan recovered his balance, his face red and slick with sweat.

“Get out of the way, old man,” Ethan hissed, pointing the gun at Daniel’s chest.

I slid my right hand slowly into my coat pocket.

My fingers brushed against the smooth, cold glass of my phone.

Without pulling it out, I pressed the power button five times in rapid succession.