The officers swarmed the property, strategically positioning themselves around the house. Neighbors began to gather on sidewalks, whispering and pointing, faces illuminated by the red and blue lights. Despite my distance from the unfolding chaos, I could still make out Amanda’s voice, shrill and panicked, carried by the evening breeze. Robert looked bewildered as he spoke with an officer, his hands gesticulating wildly.

My phone buzzed again. The message was clear—Are you safe? Don’t go back. I’ll explain everything later. The sense of urgency in those words made my skin crawl. Who was this person, and how did they know what was about to happen? A million scenarios played out in my mind, each more terrifying than the last.