They stopped right outside my apartment.

I dug my fingernails into my palms again.

My breathing went completely still.

The footsteps lingered for five seconds, then moved on down the hall toward the stairwell.

I couldn’t shake the deep unease settling in my chest.

I had lost the last shred of trust I had in my family that day.

I walked over to my small dining table and picked up the heavy wooden chair.

I carried it to the front door and wedged the top edge firmly under the door handle.