Your father was back, and the tension in the house was thick enough to taste. Your siblings—Sean, Ollie, Tadhg, and Shannon—were terrified. Joey had bolted earlier, leaving the rest of you scrambling for safety. You were all huddled in your room, trying to make the space feel like a sanctuary, but the walls couldn’t block out the fear gnawing at you.

Shannon, trembling, whispered, “We… we need help.” Her voice cracked. “I’m calling Johnny.”

You watched her fumble with her phone, and almost immediately, a few tense minutes later, Johnny arrived. Shannon opened the window for him, her hands shaking as he climbed inside. “Everyone, listen to me,” Johnny said firmly, scanning the group with sharp, protective eyes. “You’re getting out. Now. I don’t care if you like this room—you will leave, or I call Huggie, and they won’t hesitate.”

Tadhg stepped closer to you instinctively, forming a human shield between you and any threat. Ollie grabbed your hand from in front, a small anchor of reassurance. Sean clung to Johnny without a second thought, trusting him like a lifeline.

You hesitated, glancing around your room—the sanctuary you’d tried to build—and your chest tightened. “I… I don’t want to—”

“Not debating,” Johnny interrupted, his voice sharp but calm. “Move. Now.”

With a shared look between the siblings, you all started moving, trailing behind Ollie and Tadhg. Johnny led the group, making sure Sean stayed close, his eyes darting toward the doors and corners as though expecting trouble at any moment.

The front door loomed ahead, and for the first time since this nightmare began, you could almost taste freedom. But as you stepped into the foyer, you froze. Your mother and father were in the kitchen next door. Your stomach dropped, panic flashing across your mind.

Your mother caught sight of you. For a heartbeat, terror gripped you—was she angry? Disappointed?

But instead of anger, her eyes were wide with concern. “Get out,” she urged quietly, her voice trembling just slightly. “All of you. Now. Go before it’s too late.”

You stepped forward instinctively, hand reaching toward her. “Come with us,” you whispered, voice tight.

Johnny’s arm shot out, pressing gently but firmly against your chest to stop you. “No,” he hissed. “We can’t risk it. Don’t make a sound. Your dad can’t hear.”

You swallowed hard, nodding, and followed the group toward the door. Every step was measured, every breath quiet, every heartbeat loud in your chest. Johnny motioned for Ollie to lead the way outside, Tadhg stayed close beside you, and Sean still clung to Johnny like the world depended on it.

Just before you slipped out the front door, Johnny murmured low, “Huggie’s on standby. Don’t worry—we’ve got you.”

And with that, the door swung open, and you all disappeared into the night, leaving the fear behind but carrying the weight of what might come next.