The rain had ceased, but the water was still leaking from the roof of the shed. The whole place smelled of wet wood, mud and something old that had been trapped for too long.
Margaret started shaking.
āNo,ā he whispered. Please, no...
Daniel surrounded her with his arms, but even he seemed about to lose his legs.
Two officers came down first.
Then Detective Claire Bennett followed them with a flashlight in her hand.
The trapdoor was open.
Noah looked at the black ladder, and for a terrible moment he felt like a seven-year-old boy again.
Waiting.
Listening.
Wishing someone said it was all a mistake.
It's been a minute.
Then two.
Then three.
No one spoke.
Even the neighbors behind the fence were silent.
Finally, Detective Bennett's voice came from below.
Down.
Trembling.
Donāt let the Ā family Get down here.
Margaret collapsed in Daniel's arms.
