I step out of the dark, cold basement and close the heavy wooden door behind me. The silence of the upper floor is a sharp contrast to the muffled screams I left below. The air up here smells like lemon-scented cleaning spray and home, not rust and old blood. I take a deep, shaky breath, smoothing my blazer and adjusting the heavy gold necklace that feels like a weight against my chest.

In the living room, the late afternoon sun filters through the modest windows, casting long, golden stripes ...