Three
Nick leapt down the entire first flight of stairs, nearly slamming into the wall on the other side of the narrow landing. He pushed against the wall with one hand to regain his balance and bounded down the second flight three steps at a time with the screams growing louder as he descended. He hit the floor and took off at a dead run. By the time he reached Beth’s door, the screams had quieted into sobs. He tried the doorknob, but it was locked, and panic grew with each thud of his heart.
“Beth!” he yelled.
“Nick!” she wailed in response.
The hysteria in her voice knifed through him, and he rammed the door with his shoulder again and again until wood splintered and the screws fastening the hinges to the solid panel ripped out. Only vaguely aware of the sharp throbbing in his shoul
