​     "Daddy, they just put a crack in the wall," Abby said.

​     "I'm coming."

​     The five of them heard the whir of the van's drill as it bored through the ceiling of the safe room.

     It was taking a while, though.

​     A cell phone rang. 

​     It was Brian's.

​     "It's Mom," he said. He put the phone to his ear.

​     "Mom? Yeah, I'm still at Alison's. Yeah, I know, I...You...Mom!"

​     Tears blasted from his eyes, and he found he could no longer speak because his sobs wouldn't let him. His face got all red. The others in the room felt sorry for him, but, really, what could anybody do?

​     When he could speak again, Brian said, "I'm in some real trouble, Mom. Some real danger. Turn on the newsfeed. It's probably..." Here came more sobs. "I...we were just...and then all these people they...You've got the news on now? That's me! No! I'm not hurt. For the moment we're...I'm scared, Mom. I want to come home so bad I..." Sobs made his whole body heave.

     Abby reached out her hand. "Here. Let me see that phone. I'll talk to her. Maybe I can..."

     BAM!

​     The safe room shook like a baby's rattle. Brian all but dropped the phone. Abby went to take it from him, but Brian withdrew his hand so that she couldn't.

​     Abby said, "Brian, I just felt I..."

​     "Leave me alone!" Then, into the phone, Brian said, "Mom, I think I'm going to die, and I don't want to die. I want to see you again and Eddie and Jacob and even Dad and..." He choked on his sobs.

     He clicked the phone off.

     BAM! POW! THUNK!  

​                                                 CONTINUE