Alexa's fingers trembled as she held her phone close to her chest pacing the length of the room. Mateo was asleep, and the house was quiet except for the occasional creaking of the old wooden floorboard. Outside, wind rustled through the trees, her heart beat thundered in rhythm with her footsteps.

She finally hit the call button.

It rang once, twice. Then Lisa answered.

“Alexa?”

“Lisa… It's me.”

Lisa's voice softened with immediate concern.

“Are you okay? What happened? Why ...