Emily’s heart slammed against her ribs.
“Lily!”
She ran up the stairs as fast as her pregnancy allowed.
Behind her, Zach burst out of the bedroom, instantly awake.
“What happened?”
“I heard Lily scream!”
The entire house erupted into chaos.
Victor grabbed the baseball bat he kept in the hallway.
Alexander reached for the home’s emergency alarm.
Sarah and Grace rushed from their rooms.
Father Thomas clutched his rosary as Noah called 911.
“Lily!” Zach shouted.
No answer.
He threw open Lily’s bedroom door.
The room was empty.
The window stood wide open.
Icy wind blew the curtains wildly.
Emily felt the world tilt beneath her feet.
“No…”
“Lily!” she cried.
“Please answer me!”
⸻
Zach rushed to the open window.
Fresh snow covered the ground below.
No footprints.
No ladd
