A shot rang out from inside the bedroom. The man took it in the gut and dropped to his knees with a howl of pain. Another shot followed, and the flashlight clattered to the floor. Now the man in the kitchen raised his weapon and fired toward the muzzle flash. He let off half a magazine, and someone inside the room let out a shriek. Then — silence. The dropped flashlight lit up the bedroom from the floor, casting two shadows writhing on the wall. Someone was crawling, trying to get away. The man in the kitchen aimed toward the doorway and fired again — this time at the wall. But the shadows ducked behind a bed and vanished. He didn't dare move into the hallway. Instead, he sat with his back to the kitchen table, eyes locked on the hallway, waiting for any sign of movement.