Max was sleeping a dreamless sleep, warm and safe-feeling, when she was suddenly awoken by a clap of thunder. But there was another noise that came to her attention…

She sat straight up, disturbing Janie and Ozzy, who murmured birdlike coos in their sleep and shifted in their sleep. Her heart was pounding, and her adrenaline was rushing-

What was that sound? Creaking on the porch, snapping twigs-

Hunters! Here! Hunters! Hunters at the Lake House!

Oh no, oh no, oh no! Max repeated that mantra in her head. No no no no… no…

Yes.

Max switched into survival mode. She silently rose from the bed and shook Janie's shoulder, then Ozzy's. When Janie opened her mouth to complain, Max covered it with her hand, fast. Janie's eyes opened, sleepy but instantly alert upon seeing the terror on her mother's face.

"Wake your brother," Max breathed.

As Janie turned to Ozzy, Max moved to the bookshelf and took a knife out from behind a dictionary on the highest shelf. She had placed it there two years ago after stealing it from a nearby store, swearing to herself that she would never need it…

Maybe this time, she wouldn't just have to rely on her flight. Now maybe she could fight!

Ozzy was out of bed now, silent as Janie. The two of them crept over to their mother.

Her little son's voice was the barest whisper. "Mommy, what's going on?"

Max's voice was even quieter. "Bad men. We have to run."

"Bad men?" Janie's voice was quiet, but not quiet enough. Max violently shushed her, eyes scanning through the window for any movement.

"Go into the hall and wake everyone," Max breathed into their waiting ears. "Away from windows. Silent as a bone. Go, now."

"Mama, are you-" Janie began, but Max put a finger to her lips.

"Hush now," she whispered to her daughter. "Go."

Janie and Ozzy crept from the room and Max turned to the window. She hadn't told them of her plan for a reason:

Because it was basically suicide.

Max slipped to the window and raised her head. Hunters on the porch. Lots of them. She could see the tall leader ready to break the door down.

A man saw her! Opened his mouth to shout!

Max leapt!

It was all a blur- the glass shattering, men shouting, guns raising- Max slashed forward (she KILLED them! Anyone who threatened her family was DEAD)- men dropped to the ground and blood splashed-

Somebody stuck something into Max's side- a bright flash of light, her body spasming-

Janie, Ozzy, please… run…

She collapsed and felt no more.