I could barely breathe after the frantic dash across our house. But somehow I had to calm my own loud snoring and panicked heart. My eyes were wide open and I squinted into the darkness ahead. The cramped space of the built-in wardrobe almost suffocated me.

And at that moment, another palm slipped into my hand - noticeably smaller.

“Mommy?” Eric said softly.

"Shhh," I hissed at him, squatting down to pull him into my arms. "You don't want him to find us." I stroked his black hair, which he inherited from his father, in a soothing gesture.

"Is he going to find us?" he squeaked, maybe a little scared,...