below. She heard someone fumble with the hatch, then pull the attic stairs down. It was strangely quiet now, except for the sound of the sheriff's voice from downstairs along with his officers.
But what made her lift her head up was her pa's voice.
"Gail! Is your sister alright?"
"Pa!" she cried out. "Oh, Pa..." She then wiped her tears from her face with the back of her hand. She lifted her head to say something to her father, but when she saw her pa, she gasped.
In the moonlight, she could clearly see Pa's pale gray eyes staring at her.