Chapter 4 - The Lights in the Rain
Officer Jessica Hayes saw the porch light swinging before she reached the front steps.
It moved in the wind, half-broken, casting wild shadows across the rain-soaked siding. The front gate hung open. A chair lay overturned near the porch. Inside, the house was lit unevenly, living room lamps still on, upstairs dark except for one thin line beneath a bedroom door.
Officer Marcus Vance moved beside her, hand near his radio.
No siren. No shouting from the street. Renee had warned them there were children hiding upstairs.
Jessica knocked once.
“Portland Police. David Miller, open the door.”
No answer.
From inside came a man’s voice, slurred and angry. Then movement. Then another crash, smaller this time.
Marcus tried the door.
Unlocked.
He pushed it open.
“Police!”
Inside the closet, Chloe heard it.
Her body went limp with relief so sudden she almost dropped the phone.
Ethan lifted his head. “Is it the game?”
Chloe pressed a finger to her lips. “No. Stay quiet.”
Downstairs, David shouted something. Vince cursed. The officers’ voices stayed controlled, firm, professional. Renee remained on the line.
“Chloe, are you still in the closet?”
“Yes.”
“Good. Stay there until an officer comes to you or your mom tells you it’s safe.”
A moment later, heavy footsteps hit the stairs.
Chloe’s heart jumped into her throat.
The bedroom door handle rattled.
She almost screamed.
Then her mother’s voice came through the wood, weak but clear.
“Chloe? Baby, stay there.”
Chloe covered her mouth with both hands.
Laura pushed the bedroom door open slowly.
She was pale, messy-haired, wearing a cream sweater and pajama pants, one hand braced against the doorframe. Behind her, Officer Hayes stood close but gave her space.
Laura saw the laundry basket in front of the closet.
She saw the crack in the door.
She saw Chloe’s eye through the darkness.
Her face crumpled.
“You did good,” Laura whispered. “You did so good.”
May you like
Chloe could not answer.
For the first time that night, she let Ethan cry out loud.
