Alessia Cardoso sat perfectly still in the upstairs closet, her brother's hand covering her mouth. His other arm held her tight against his chest.
She could feel him shaking.
Below them, heavy footsteps moved through their home. Men in suits with weapons drawn and scary voices.
"Dr. Mr. Cardoso & Dr. Mrs. Cardoso." One of them spoke like he was ordering coffee. "We know you plan to go public with.... what you found at St. Helena."
Alessia's father's voice was calm despite the dire situation. "People deserve to know what happened there."
Her mother spoke next. "You can't silence everyone. The truth will come out eventually."
"Maybe. But not from you."
Alessia tried to pull away, she tried to scream.
Alexis's hand pressed harder over her mouth and his arm tightened around her shoulders.
The sounds that followed were brief.
Her mother's voice cutting off mid-sentence and something heavy hitting the floor.
Alessia shook violently and tears streamed down her face.
