Chapter 8 - The Intruder in the Dark
The sudden, pitch-black darkness caused Hudson to cry out in immediate fear from the living room floor.
I quickly activated the bright flashlight feature on my cell phone and rushed over to comfort him.
I held both children incredibly close, whispering soothing promises while my heart hammered fiercely against my ribs.
I cautiously peered out the front window and saw that every other house on my suburban street still had full electricity.
Someone had intentionally cut the main power line to my home from the exterior utility box.
A heavy, deliberate footstep creaked loudly on the wooden floorboards of my front porch.
I realized with horror that Wade must have made bail, or perhaps he was never on the charter plane with Caroline at all.
I quietly and urgently guided the children into the master bathroom and locked the heavy, solid oak door.
I placed them gently inside the large bathtub and covered them with thick winter blankets to muffle any sounds they might make.
The terrifying sound of shattering glass echoed from the kitchen as the intruder violently broke through the back window.
I gripped the heavy cast-iron fireplace poker I had grabbed from the living room with incredibly sweaty palms.
The slow, methodical footsteps moved deliberately down the hallway, heading straight toward the master bedroom.
The intruder violently kicked the bedroom door open, stepping heavily onto the hardwood floor just inches away.
I held my breath, praying silently that the locked bathroom door would be enough to keep my precious family safe.
A deep, commanding, and entirely unfamiliar voice called out into the dark bedroom.
May you like
It was definitely not Wade, and it did not sound like a local police officer.
The voice said, "Margaret, I know you have the children, and I am here to help you."
