My books were gone from the shelves.

My clothes were gone from the closet.

Leo’s game console was gone; Maya’s favorite toys were gone.

The house had been carefully emptied of exactly three people and nothing else, so that what remained was not a robbed house but an abandoned one, which is a far more frightening thing to walk into.

On the refrigerator door, held by a single magnet, was a printed note. The children and I are safe.

All communication regarding Leo and Maya will go through my attorney.