Too Many Questions

The thuds went on through the night, about every hour, for as long as the sky remained dark. They sounded like distant muffled bangs from my room upstairs, but they woke me up anyway. Every time I jolted awake, the ball on the chest of drawers near the door would flash, to let me know I wasn’t alone and Lizzie was right there, keeping me safe. That was the only reason why I didn’t sleep in my car.

Only by sunrise, when the thuds subsided, I was able to get a few hours of good sleep, so the Collins were already in the house by the time I got up. I came across Mike on the first-floor hallway.

“Morning, Mike. I need the basement key,” I said, still rubbing my eyes and feeling exhausted.

My voice drew Susan out of the kitchen. “Good morning, Miss Garner. Breakfast is…” She trailed off, noticing her husband visibly upset.

“The basement key?” he repeated, taken aback. “I can go get you anything you ne