I dropped the phone, my face pale. I needed to get to Spencer before she reached the front door. I got out the car and ran as fast as my legs would carry me. This couldn’t be happening.

“Spencer, Spencer don’t go in!” I was shouting and running all at once. I prayed she’d hear me. I couldn’t let her go inside. I swore loudly. I was too late. Her front door was opening.

“SPENCER!” My voice was loud. She stopped, the door still open, turning to face me as I caught up to her. I reached past her pulling the door closed. “I can’t let you go inside.” I had her arm, and I was desperately trying to drag her back to the car, but she wasn’t budging.

“I don’t understand! I want to see my family, let me go!” She pulled away from me.

This was so hard to do. I had no words. How could I tell her the enemy was right there behind that door?

“Please come with me, I’m asking you to trust me.” She was shaking her head.

“No, no, I want to be with my family.” Why did she have to be so damn close to her family? I threw my arms up in the air. I took a step closer to her, grabbing her by the arm.

Her eyes narrowed as I spoke, “I will use force if I have to but you’re not going inside.”

I started pulling her again. “Let go of me!” Her voice was loud now.

“Shut up, they’ll hear you!” I whispered harshly.

We were getting closer to the car now. I refused to look at Spencer’s face. I didn’t want to see those tears. I didn’t want to be the cause of them. I let my hand wander from her arm to her hand, letting it grip hers, giving it a tight squeeze. I wanted it to be reassuring, but it didn’t work.

Spencer gave me a hard push almost pushing me over. She let out a loud scream, “Mom! Dad!” and started running to the front door.

Oh God, this wasn’t happening, this was terrible! I ran after her stopping, dead in my tracks when the front door flew open and her family came rushing out. I recognized them from the television. They all looked the same. I watched as Spencer ran into her father’s arms. He immediately started stroking her back comfortingly, possessively.