My parents forced me to stay home to feed the dog and water the plants while the whole family went on vacation. When I asked why, my sister said, “That’s your role in this house.”

being used as some kind of human shield.

Hannah stayed beside me the entire time. When my knees began to shake, she guided me to the porch steps and handed me water.

“You saved yourself,” she said.

I looked through the open doorway at the ruined house. “By leaving.”

“Exactly.”

By late afternoon, my parents and Vanessa were escorted back to Westbrook by continue reading …