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

The room went quiet.

Veronica’s face went white.

Madison’s father turned slowly toward his daughter. “What is this?”

Madison shrugged, but her confidence had cracked. “It was a joke.”

Lucia made a small sound.

Thomas leaned forward. “Say that again.”

Madison blinked.