They turned and looked at their home as they closed the door. I can hear the swish and the double-click of the lock.

Best they lock the door that would not be opened again—maybe never—or at least never by this family.

Footsteps are light on the walkway to the main street. Of course, it is silent at 2 am and they are light on their feet. 

They have backpacks—even the 4 year old is sporting a new backpack. There is a cartoon character—possibly Spider Man–adorning its zippered pocket. He looks like a little man following his papa and in front of his mama with light footsteps walking between them.

He is excited to be out after midnight but wary of the silence of the night. He was told the family would make a long journey and he imagined it would be an adventure. He has new sneakers with a double knot his mama insisted on tying. She did not want him to be able to take them off. 

He would wear them for miles—many many miles.