That noise. He can hear it echoing from down the hallway, where he's hidden behind a clock. It's wide enough for him to fit behind, and he hopes that the ticking of the clock can coverup the sound of his heart, how hard he's breathing.

Why would a friend of Papa's do something so cruel? He doesn't understand, only knows that he wants to go to his Papa and he can't. Not if he wants to keep his Mama safe, too.