Chapter 63

Arya

The loud explosion makes the whole house shake. The walls groan and the windows rattle. Some of framed pictures on the wall fall on the floor with a loud crash, making everyone in the room flinch.

Mom screams and Dad rushes to her and keeps her in his arms as the whole house shakes and trembles. Both Nancy and I rise from our seats, looking at each other.

For the first time since I met her, I see nothing but cool and clear determination in her eyes. She nods at me as though to signal what we should do, and for some reason I immediately know what she wants us to do.

“No one moves,” I say. “But be on alert to shift or to hide.”

“What’s happening?” Mom asks in a shaky voice. “What’s going on outside?”

The first instinct is to leave, but something inside me is telling me that what’s waiting for us outside is more horrible. My senses are on overdrive and my feelings for protection are heightened to the point that everything feels like they’re expanding.

“Don’t panic,” I instruct them.