"Ma'am?" The officer's voice came gentle. Patient. "Are you alright?"

Emma stood there. Between Daniel and freedom. Between truth and survival. Between everything.

Robert's face. Through the doorway. Desperate. Pleading. Begging her to speak.

Daniel's hand. On her back. Pressing. Warning. Threatening.

Her children. Upstairs. Locked in. Alone. Depending on her.

"I'm fine." The words came out. Automatic. Dead.

"You're sure?" The officer stepped closer. "You ...