Kayla unlocked the front door as silently as she could, stepping onto the porch without looking back. Her legs felt weak as she carried Tommy down the driveway and into the crisp afternoon air. Kayla didn’t know how long she stood in the driveway, clutching Tommy as the seconds dragged painfully slow.
Every sound made her jump — a passing car, a dog barking, the wind brushing the branches overhead. She kept glancing at the door, terrified she’d see someone step out of it. Finally, two police cruisers turned onto the street, lights flashing but sirens off.