Claire's wailing was ear-splitting. Between sobs, she kept bringing up her and Vincent's baby, making sure everyone heard her desperation.

"Vince, what do we do? I love our baby—I can't lose our baby!"

The masked man waved his dagger back and forth between Claire and me, his voice cold as he began the countdown.

"28."

"27."

Vincent's eyes darted anxiously between Claire and me, his face filled with desperation.

I ...