Seven

Atticus looked down at the carpet at the entrance of my parents’ bedroom. “Upon closer examination, we found a few of your mother’s blonde hairs on the floor. The intruders must have surprised them.” He sighed. “They dragged her out by the hair.”

My blood ran cold.

Atticus walked into the bedroom and pointed to a small crack in the wood paneling by the headboard. “This must have happened while your father was fighting them off.”

My heart ...