HIS NEIGHBOR WOULDN’T STOP REPORTING THE SOUND OF A GIRL CRYING INSIDE HIS HOUSE—THEN HE HID BENEATH HIS DAUGHTER’S BED AND HEARD HER PLEAD FOR SOMEONE TO SPARE HER

Thomas reacted before he could think.

He burst out from beneath the bed so fast his shoulder slammed against the frame. Veronica screamed in shock. Lucia stumbled backward, clutching her cheek.

For one impossible moment, the three of them simply stared at each other.