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"Stay here."

I open my mouth to argue.

He gives me the same look I remember from 15 years ago.

And just like then…

Part of me hates how much I want to listen.

"Absolutely not."

Rhett has already taken two steps toward the front door. He stops without turning around.

"Carys."

"No."

His shoulders rise and fall with a slow breath.

"I need to make sure no one's out there."

"And I need to make sure you don't walk into something we don't understand."

He finally looks back at me.

"I've spent my entire career walking toward things other people run away from."

"Buildings on fire," I correct. "People. Emergencies. Things that make sense."

"This makes sense to somebody."

"That isn't as reassuring as you think it is."

For the briefest instant, the corner of his mouth twitches. Then it's gone.

"We're wasting time."

Another tap. This one comes from the back of the house. Not loud. Measured. Three deliberate knocks against the kitchen window.

Morrow… Sayer flinches.

"It's closer."

I turn toward him.

"You've heard this before?"

He nods.

"At my house."

"What happened afterward?"

His face pales.

"My parents disappeared."

Silence crashes over the room. No one has a sarcastic response for that. No one has an explanation.