There was a man she didn't recognize at the door, carefully fixing his tie. Aubrey's sleepy wail came from her bedroom.
She chose not to answer, instead tending to Aubrey. She entered the room and picked up the baby, kissing her forehead. "Shhh.."
There was a silence for a moment before the sound of pounding on the door; the man was trying to get in.
She headed out, her eyes wide with fear as she ran for the forested area. When she ducked behind a tree, she raised a finger to her lips. "Shh, baby. Shhh."
Aubrey's face was red as large tears rolled down her cheek. She whimpered, burying her face in Avice's neck. Someone moved past the windows of their house.
There was silence from the house before the man stepped out on the porch, his voice gentle. "Ms. Rohesia, I know you're out here," he began, his voice warm. "I know you're out here and I assume you're with your baby."