I was at the basement door, ready to descend, when Bobbie appeared next to me. “Would it be quicker and safer to exit through the basement window rather than return to the mudroom?”

I thought through her suggestion. Yes. But what if the basement window wouldn’t open?

“Then you can return to the mudroom. But you need to replace the screen in the window now to make it look like the boy escaped on his own down below.”

Made perfect sense. I followed her guidance, feeling the seconds stretch. Rushing with less stealth than I’d used to this point, I returned to the mudroom and quickly replaced the screen to cover my tracks.

The moment I stepped into the basement stairwell, closed the door behind me and secured the dead bolt, relief washed over me like a gust of morning air.

Still no sound from the main floor. I rushed down the stairs and spun into the unfinished basement. The high window let enough light in for me to see the door to Eli’s prison was closed, locked from the outside with a sliding bolt lock high on the frame.

Now on concrete and under the main house, I didn’t care about sound, so I sprinted to the room, slid the lock open, and flung the door wide.

Eli’s head came up from where he lay on the thin mattress. He didn’t look surprised to see me, and for a breath I just stood staring at him. I swallowed and took a step into the room, my hand still on the door handle.

“I need you to come with me,” I said.

“You do? Why?” he asked.

“Because you’re in danger here.”

His expression didn’t change. He was clearly too naïve to understand his predicament.

“Now?” he asked.

“Quickly! We have to hurry.”

He pushed himself up and stood, grinning. “Okay.”

We stood gazing at one another. I really had no idea who this boy was, yet I was risking everything to save him. Was I making a terrible mistake?

It was too late to second-guess myself. We had to move.

“Follow behind me closely, and stay quiet,” I said.

Eli nodded and I turned to the window. But that was as far as I got before hearing footsteps overhead.

My pulse skyrocketed. Someone was in the house! I glanced over my shoulder at Eli, whose face remained unconcerned, and held a finger over my lips.

My mind was tumbling over itself, my flight instincts screaming for escape, knowing that at any moment Rose could open the door into the basement. Unless it wasn’t her. And even if it was, she would have to get the key. I was glad I’d replaced the screen in the mudroom.

All these thoughts raced through my mind, silenced by the sound of more footsteps above.

We had to get out!