Chapter 11

AMELIA

I wake up with a loud bang on my door. Feeling restless, I turn and shift into my bed to locate the source of the commotion as I pull the pillow over my head. I'm still heady, and I badly want to stay asleep.

It took me a while to fall asleep last night, and it can't be morning just yet. I hope it is not, and everything falls quiet for a moment.

The banging on the door returns, and I slowly lift my lids to see what time it is.

My eyes fall on the bedside window, and I see that it's an hour before dawn. As I reposition my weight on my elbows to look at what's happening outside, wondering who wants to see me at this inappropriate time or thinking there might be a wild animal digging for food in my yard, I tip my head over my shoulder. The window looks over at the street. I don't see anyone as I wait and wait for someone to appear out of the bushes. When I gaze upwards into the dark night, I strain my eyes hard to see a giant explosion of green light illuminating the sky.

Then the