“What?” I asked. Hattie immediately noticed the look of concern on my face, and she walked near me. I shook my head at her and shrugged. It almost sounded like a joke, but my dad never joked like this. He was always so serious. “What are you talking about? What’s happening? Where are you?”

“I’m in my office,” he said. I could hear loud popping noises in the background. Someone very near him screamed loudly.

“Dad, what’s happening?”

“I don’t have time to explain,” he said. “When you get down to the basement you can turn on the television, I’m sure this has to be on the news.”

“What’s on the news?” I asked.

“Sweetheart, just do as I say! When you get to the basement, call me back.” Then there was a click and we were disconnected.

Hattie stared at me with wide eyes. “Was that your father?”

“He said to lock all the doors and get into the basement. I…I…don’t understand.”

“Not much to understand,” Hattie said, grabbing my hand and squeezing it tightly. “Let’s just do what your father says and I’m sure everything will be all right.”

I felt frantic as we scurried through the house, locking every door to the outside. So many thoughts crossed my mind. I couldn’t help but think that it might have been terrorists, or a crazy storm coming our way, though popping noises and the screaming in the background didn’t sound like a storm.

I went to the front door and opened it, hoping to see a clue as to why my dad would sound so scared. I looked up and down our street only to see a few of the neighbors were closing their garage doors and running from house to house. It was as if the whole world knew something that I didn’t. I jumped when a hand touched my shoulder. I turned and saw Hattie. She looked from me to the street. It seemed as though she was planning to tell me to come inside, but she paused as well.