The banging downstairs grew louder.
And more frantic.
BANG.
BANG.
BANG.
It no longer sounded like someone politely asking to be let inside.
It sounded desperate.
Whoever was outside was pounding against the front door with both fists, striking it repeatedly as though they were trying to get the attention of everyone inside.
Mathew stood frozen in the darkness of his bedroom.
Carol had one arm wrapped around Destiny while her other hand rested protectively over Nurys's shoulder.
Cameron sat against the headboard, cradling his injured arm.
Nobody spoke.
Another series of frantic knocks shook the house.
Then came the voices.
Several of them.
Men.
Women.
Some shouting.
Others talking over each other.
The words were impossible to make out from upstairs.
Mathew strained his ears.
"What are they saying?" Carol whispered.
"I don't know."
He moved closer to the bedroom door.
Another voice shouted from downstairs.
Then another.
Then several at once.
