God, I did, too. If something happened to my tiny terrors…I tried to force out the horrendous images taking over my mind.

Bell waved a hand at me. “There are two deputies already on Anchor. They’re heading to your place now.”

I gave her a tight nod. I wanted to feel relief, but I couldn’t. Not until I knew, with one hundred percent certainty, that the kids were okay. “Did you hear that? There are deputies coming now. They’re already on Anchor.”

Will sniffed. “Okay.” There was more yelling and pounding, then a cracking sound. “I think the door’s breaking.”

I squeezed my eyes closed, sending up a thousand silent prayers. “Get in the closet with Ava and Mia.”

“I can’t. I have to fight him if he gets in. I have my bat.”

My sweet, brave boy. Tears leaked from my eyes. “He’s not going to get in. Just hold on.”

Shouts sounded across the line. I heard someone yelling that they were from the sheriff’s department and to get down on the floor. There was more screaming and then a shot. The crack of the bullet was so loud, Kenna jerked beside me. All of my muscles locked. “Will, are you okay? What’s happening now?”

“I’m okay. I don’t know.”

“Will, it’s Deputy Raines. Are you okay in there?”

My shoulders sagged in relief. Will answered the deputy in a shaky voice. “We’re okay.”

I heard a door opening, and Mia’s cries got louder, but it was Ava who spoke. “I want Cae Cae.” The sound of her pleading shattered the last piece of my heart still holding itself together.

“I’m gonna be there soon, Ava.”

“Did you hear that, Avs? Caelyn’s coming soon.”

The deputy began speaking again. “We need to take the bad guy out to the patrol car. Then we’ll come back for you.”

“Okay.” Will’s voice sounded stronger now. “I have to move the furniture, Caelyn.”

“Don’t hang up!” I was desperate. This was my one lifeline to my siblings, and I couldn’t let it go. “Put the phone on speaker and lay it on the bed.”

“All right.” Something rustled, and then Will spoke again. “Can you hear me?”

“I can hear you.”

The sounds of furniture being pushed across the carpet, and Will grunting, came over the line. I held my breath until I heard a knock.

“It’s Deputy Raines. Can I come in?”

A door creaked in the background.

“Are you guys okay?” Deputy Raines asked.

“Yeah, we’re okay,” Will answered.

The slight tremor in his voice had me fisting the sheets even tighter. I never should’ve left Anchor. I should’ve simply found the cheapest apartment possible and worked at a bar or a restaurant on the island. But instead, I’d been selfish, desperate to use the scholarship I’d worked so hard for.