I raised my hand to keep her from moving.

“Stay quiet.”

Outside, wet pine needles rustled softly right up against the outer wall.

Somebody was standing less than five feet from where we were crouched.

I swung the flashlight toward the door frame to see if the latch was holding.

The beam flickered once, faded to a dull orange glow and went out, leaving the inside of the shed in total darkness.

Heavy, unhurried footsteps started crunching over the wet gravel path outside, heading straight for the shed door.