Chapter 5 - The Bathroom Siege
My brother reacted with explosive speed.
He kicked the laundry room door outward, sending the aunt crashing into the opposite wall.
The wood splintered loudly as he pushed his way out into the hall.
He yelled at me to run to the master bathroom at the end of the corridor.
I didn't waste a second.
I sprinted down the dark hallway, my boots slipping on the polished floor.
Behind me, I heard the brutal sounds of a struggle.
Fists met flesh, and the grandmother shrieked something unintelligible.
I reached the master bathroom, shoved myself inside, and slammed the heavy door shut.
I threw the deadbolt and locked the handle, plunging us into temporary safety.
My chest he heave as I slid down the door to sit on the cold tile floor.
I gently rocked my niece, murmuring soft words to calm her down.
The bleeding on my face had slowed, but the pain in my collarbone was excruciating.
I looked down at the toddler in the dim moonlight reflecting off the bathroom mirror.
She looked up at me with wide, tear-filled eyes.
Then, she pointed a tiny finger toward the frosted glass window above the bathtub.
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A shadowy figure was standing on the roof right outside.
Someone was tapping lightly on the glass.
