The night air was chilling as we stumbled out of the garage, Eli clinging to my hand, his small body trembling with fear and cold. Mrs. Leverne lived two houses down, a kindly older woman who always seemed to know when something was amiss. I prayed she was home, that she could help us.
We reached her porch, and I pounded on the door, urgency making my knuckles sting. After what felt like an eternity, the door creaked open. Mrs. Leverne stood there, her eyes widening in alarm as she took in our disheveled state.
“Good Lord, what happened?” she exclaimed, ushering us inside.
