Now.

She didn’t see when he turned the lock and snuck out into the stairwell.

She didn’t see when he continued on toward the basement.

That’s where he had to go.

To find out what was down there.

Their escape route.

•   •   •

Zofia?”

“We weren’t supposed to . . .”

“Where are you?”

“In the kitchen. Lunchtime. I’m making . . . what is it, Piet?”

“Hugo? Do you see him?”

“He’s playing video games.”

“Do you see him?”

“He was just on the sofa. And I hear the sound.”

“Go there.”

“Wait.”

“Are you there?”

“Soon.”

“Zofia, I . . .”

“Piet?”

“Yes?”

“He’s not there.”

•   •   •

It really smelled like basement. And it was creepily dark with just his cell phone flashlight to light the way. But he was close. There. Behind the thick door with round metal wheels he had to turn to open. If he got in there he would be standing right under the apartment and the closet. Hugo pulled and dragged at the sluggish wheels on the heavy door. Until it glided up. And he could step into a space he thought was called an air raid shelter. They didn’t have one at home—well, they didn’t have anything at home anymore, because it didn’t exist—but he’d been in shelters before, at Willy and Jari’s, classmates of his who lived in one of the high-rises in Farsta. It was even darker in here. Pitch black. No windows. He pointed his flashlight to the ceiling. Searching with the light beam. Until he discovered a bit where the white paint seemed a little whiter. If he pushed over the big metal rack that stood in one corner—he had no clue what it was for—he could climb up and reach the ceiling. And when he knocked on the surface with the slightly different shade, the sound was just like when he knocked on the hole in the closet—empty, echoing.

•   •   •

Zofia? Listen to me. Hugo isn’t on the sofa. He left the apartment. And you have to follow him! Even though you weren’t supposed to leave. None of you should!”

“How do you know that? How do you know he left?”

“I just know it. Hurry.”

“Are you watching us?”

“Not me.”

“Are you having us watched?”

“Hurry, Zofia!”

“I’m on my way.”

“He can’t be seen!”

“I’m soon . . . Piet, the front door. You’re right.”

“What?”

“It’s unlocked.”

“He hasn’t gone far, so if you . . .”

“Hugo? Where . . . where did you come from?”

“What exactly is happening, Zofia?”

“Just when I was about to run out into the stairwell, he was standing here.”

“Ask him where he’s been!”

“Hugo, you can’t leave. You know that.”

“Where has he been!”

“Where have you been?”

“What did he say?”

“That he wanted air. But changed his mind.”

“Air?”

“That’s what he says.”

“Lock the door. And have a serious talk with him. You promise me, Zofia?”