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…

I forced myself to smile. “It is a quiet game. We must be very quiet.”

I scanned the bathroom. There was a ceramic cup holding toothbrushes. A metal lid on the laundry hamper. A heavy plastic bottle of shampoo. Nothing ideal. Then my eyes lifted toward the ventilation window above the shower. It was small, but possibly large enough.

Flynn asked softly. “Is something there you can use to escape”

“There is a window. But it is high.”

“You have to try it. I am calling the police at this moment. Stay with me.”

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.”

I took a deep breath and lifted my son. “Sweetheart. Put your arms up.”
He obeyed. I guided him through the narrow frame. For a moment his shoe caught on the ledge and he winced softly. I steadied him and whispered encouragement. Then he slid through and landed on the small slanted roof outside with a faint thump.

The bathroom door groaned under another impact. The wood splintered near the lock. “Where are you going.” Kellen shouted.

I pulled myself up and through the window just as the door finally gave way. I dropped onto the roof beside Alden. My heart pounded so loudly I could barely hear the world around me. I grabbed my son’s hand and whispered, “We have to go down. Stay low and keep close.”

Voices rose inside the house. “What are you doing.” Briella screamed somewhere down the hall.

Kellen barked back at her. “This is not your concern. Stay where you are.”