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The man’s voice broke the silence. Though it was soft it seemed to reverberate throughout the house, as if the vibrations of his vocal cords had become a part of the very air molecules, sending them all ablaze. Rosa stayed frozen in her bed, heart hammering so hard it actually hurt. She tried to listen to what he was saying and think of what she should do at the same time, but it was as if her mind had jammed. Everything seemed fuzzy and slow except for her heart and its persistent thumping. Her underarms felt moist and her skin burned with anxiety. She wanted to run, but she knew she wouldn’t be able to move.