YOUR SISTER TOLD YOU TO HIDE IN THE ATTIC AND NOT TELL YOUR HUSBAND—THEN YOU FOUND THE PASSPORTS UNDER THE FLOORBOARDS

up weakly—not a call, but a message from Mara.

DO NOT ANSWER HIM. BACK WALL. VENT PANEL. GO NOW.

You turn slowly.

The far wall is stacked with storage bins. Behind them, half hidden by insulation, is a small square vent panel you’ve never noticed before. You crawl toward it, sliding boxes aside as quietly as you can.

Below, the attic stairs creak.

Caleb continue reading …