"Mom and I were baking a cake, like usual. But she sensed people outside our house. She grabbed my hand and hid me in the closet under the stairs, telling me not to come out no matter what happened."

Leo squeezes my hand reassuringly as I continue.

"After making sure I was hidden - I was wearing her friend's necklace that masked my scent - I peeked through one of the slats. I had to see what was going on. Someone knocked, and before mom answered, she whispered ...