My tires screeched on the concrete as I parked in my designated space.

I grabbed my flight bag from the backseat and ran toward the private residential elevator.

I scanned my key fob against the reader.

The metal doors opened slowly.

I stepped inside and pressed the button for the penthouse floor.

My heart hammered against my ribs as the elevator climbed.

I stared at the digital floor indicator as the numbers ticked upward.

Forty, forty-one, forty-two.

The doors slid open.

The hallway was quiet, carpeted in deep blue.

I walked quickly toward my door, my hand reaching for my keys.

The door to my apartment was unlocked, sitting slightly ajar.

I pushed it open and stepped inside.

The foyer was empty, but I could hear hushed voices coming from the living room.

My four nieces and nephews were sitting on the leather sofa.

The oldest, Leo, was holding his younger sister’s hand.

They looked pale, their eyes wide and frightened.

Hannah was standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, clutching her phone to her chest.

She turned to look at me, her face streaked with tears.