Stephen let a car pa.s.s, and went further down the street, before he hurriedly ran across the main road separating their house from Hanif's. He stopped short behind a tree just one house down from the warden's little cottage. He continued moving, making steady progress until he made it just behind the warden's front porch, hiding behind another decorative push right outside the house. Stephen peered up between the branches, looking for any activity on the porch. It was silent, for now. But how would be the best way to get in?

Surely, he would expect trouble from the front door, he thought to himself. But what about the back door?

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He took his time to cross around the side of the house, making sure to duck well far enough away from the two windows on the side. Even for being middle of the afternoon, it was almost too quiet of a day. There was barely any breeze and no birds chirping anywhere. He almost wondered if he would be able to hear anything from the inside before going in, but after a brief moment with his head pressed up against the brick, nothing pa.s.sed through. Stephen continued to the back door, using the bat positioned in front of him to protect against any threats.

Crouching onto the back porch, he took a deep breath. His heart was pounding, a mixture of fear, anger, and adrenaline that was keeping him pressing forward. Despite the hard blow to the head, and the cracked ribs, he found the necessary will to keep moving. It didn't hurt that every time he closed his eyes, he saw Grace's s.h.i.+mmering blue ones looking back at him. He had to save her.

Right next to the back door, there was a small window. Slowly, he crept up beside it, letting only his eye show as he peered through the crack that existed between the sill and the blinds. Looking all about, he saw nothing. There was no hint of either Hanif or Grace in that room by the door. Figuring now was his best chance, he gripped the door k.n.o.b and slowly began to turn it the latch. It was open!