That’s when it happened. A loud thud upstairs. Kayla froze mid-step. Another thud followed — heavier this time, sharp enough to vibrate faintly through the floorboards. She stared upward, pulse hammering in her throat. For one terrified second, she told herself Tommy might’ve somehow been upstairs.
“Tommy?” she called, voice trembling. “Buddy, are you up there?” Silence. Then— Running. Real, unmistakable running across the upstairs hallway. Not the light patter of a child’s feet. These footsteps were heavy. Fast. Adult. Kayla’s breath caught. Sabrina had Tommy with her. Mark was at work. Kayla had arrived unannounced. No one should be upstairs.