At 2 a.m., while I was staying at my sister’s house with my four-year-old son, my husband suddenly called. “Get out of that house right now, don’t make a sound!” But when I turned the knob, I realized it was locked from the outside…

Before I could move a stool beneath the window, Kellen knocked on the guest room door. “Why are you hiding.” he asked. “You know you cannot stay in there forever.”

The knocking grew louder. He was losing patience.

I whispered to Flynn. “He is coming toward the bathroom.”

The bathroom doorknob twitched. Then it rattled violently. The entire frame shook. “Mara.” Kellen called. “Let me in.”

I pressed the stool under the handle and began climbing. My hands reached the window latch. It stuck. I pushed harder. The latch squeaked with a small metallic cry.

Kellen went quiet for a moment. Then his steps moved sharply. He hit the bathroom door once with such force that the mirror trembled.

“Mama.” Alden whispered. “I am scared.”

“I know baby.” I said. “Stay behind me. Keep your hands on the floor. Do not move.”

Another heavy strike hit the door. A crack formed near the base. I hoisted myself higher and shoved the window open. Cold night air rushed into the bathroom.

Flynn spoke again quickly. “Get Alden through first.”