Chapter 1 - THREE KNOCKS AT THE DOOR
The first thing Savannah heard when she entered the house was the crack of leather.
The second was her little brother screaming.
She dropped her keys.
“Milo?”
Another sharp crack came from the kitchen.
Savannah ran.
She reached the doorway and froze.
Eight-year-old Milo was crouched beside the kitchen counter, both arms wrapped around his head.
Broken glass covered the floor.
Orange juice ran between the tiles.
A wooden chair lay on its side.
Standing over Milo was Derek.
Their stepfather had one fist twisted into the back of Milo’s shirt.
In his other hand was a leather belt.
He raised it again.
Savannah moved before she thought.
“LET HIM GO!”
Derek turned.
Milo looked up.
His face was wet with tears.
“S-Savannah…”
She rushed between them.
Derek tightened his grip on the belt.
“You stay out of this.”
Savannah stared at him.
“You hit him again and I'll—”
Derek shoved the chair aside.
It slammed against the wall.
Milo flinched violently.
Janice stood ten feet away in the doorway connecting the kitchen to the hall.
Their mother.
Watching.
Doing nothing.
Savannah couldn't understand it.
“Mom?”
Janice didn't move.
Savannah looked at Milo.
“Come here.”
Milo tried.
Derek caught his arm.
“He broke my glass cabinet.”
“I didn't!” Milo cried. “The cup slipped!”
Derek raised the belt.
Savannah kicked him hard in the stomach.
Derek crashed backward against the dining table.
The phone jumped beside him.
For half a second, nobody moved.
Then Derek stood.
Slowly.
His face had changed.
“You stupid little—”
He came toward Savannah.
Savannah pushed Milo behind her.
Derek grabbed the collar of her jacket and yanked her forward.
“You think you're tough because you moved out?”
Savannah struggled against him.
“You touch him again—”
Then the phone rang.
Everyone stopped.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Derek looked at it.
The anger disappeared from his face.
Janice turned pale.
Savannah noticed.
“What?”
Neither answered.
The phone kept ringing.
Savannah tore herself from Derek's grip and snatched it from the table.
Unknown number.
She answered.
“Hello?”
A man's voice spoke.
Low.
Controlled.
“Put Derek on the phone.”
Savannah looked directly at him.
“Who is this?”
Silence.
Then:
“Tell Derek to stay away from the children.”
Derek's face drained of color.
Janice whispered one word.
“No.”
Savannah turned toward her.
“Mom?”
Janice stared at the phone.
“He found us.”
Three hard knocks struck the front door.
BANG.
BANG.
BANG.
Milo grabbed Savannah's shirt.
The doorknob moved.
Derek backed away.
May you like
For the first time since Savannah had known him—
Derek looked afraid.
