Chapter 2: The Escape
We ran.
The back door swung open, cold morning air hitting my face like a slap. I didn’t stop to think. I didn’t lock it behind us.
We cut across the yard, grass wet under our feet. Lily stumbled once, but I pulled her up without breaking stride.
Behind us—
A crash.
Glass shattering.
They were inside.
“Mommy!” Lily cried.
“I know. Keep running!”
We didn’t go to the car.
Too obvious.
Instead, we slipped through the side gate and into Mrs. Hernandez’s yard. Her dog barked wildly, the noise slicing through the quiet neighborhood.
Good.
Noise meant witnesses.
We kept moving, cutting through another yard, then another, until we reached the street behind ours.
I finally stopped, crouching in front of Lily.
“We need help,” I said. “Right now.”
I pulled out my phone and dialed 911.
My hands were shaking so badly I almost dropped it.
“911, what’s your emergency?”
“I think someone broke into my house,” I said, forcing the words out. “My daughter heard my husband planning something. We ran. Someone followed us.”
“Ma’am, where are you now?”
I gave the address.
“Stay where you are. Officers are on the way.”
I hung up and hugged Lily tightly.
May you like
For the first time since she spoke those words—
I allowed myself to be afraid.
