The wood shuddered in the frame.

“Brenda, open up this door.”

I dug my phone out of my coat pocket with one hand and drew Chloe onto my lap with the other.

The fluorescent tube above the washer buzzed.

The room smelled of bleach and fresh towels.

The handle turned from the other side.

I watched it go down and come back up.

The dispatcher picked up on the second ring.