Darkness swallowed the basement.
The only sounds were hurried breathing and the distant crack of gunfire above.
Marcus immediately dropped to one knee.
“Nobody move!”
Captain Ryan switched on his tactical flashlight.
Its beam cut across the room.
Emily clutched Michael’s letter against her chest.
Zach instinctively moved in front of her.
“Everyone, say something,” Marcus ordered.
“Ryan.”
“Here.”
“Ethan.”
“Here.”
“Emily.”
“I’m here.”
“Jonathan.”
A pause.
Then—
“Here.”
Marcus frowned.
The voice had come from the opposite side of the room.
Jonathan had been standing beside Zach only seconds earlier.
⸻
The Safe
Ryan swept his flashlight toward the steel safe.
It was closed.
Marcus hurried over.
He tried the handle.
Locked.
“What happened?” Ethan whispered.
Marcus
