The footsteps, the moans—all of it had stopped. A chill swept up my spine. Now only grim, terrifying silence came from the other side of the door. My hand shook as I reached for the knob. I twisted it slowly and pulled open the door, wincing when the hinges groaned. After easing through the narrow opening, I stole down the hall. “For the great war is nigh, and we will win or die, chanting our battle cry, ‘Freedom or death’—” Ma’s raucous singing voice startled me so much that I fell back against the wall. I covered my flying heart with my hand as if I could prevent it from drumming its way out of my chest. Apparently oblivious to the blast, Ma wandered the downstairs, singing as she often did when she awakened at night. My gaze riveted to the two rooms across the wide upstairs hall. Both bedroom doors gaped open. Mine and Pa’s. I squinted. A tall figure stood out against the darkness in Pa’s room. I froze, staring as the shadow turned and took one lumbering step toward me.
