Maybe they thought he wouldn’t go
Me:
Maybe it’s not Zach’s crew
Jack straightens and turns to the other computer. He types for a few moments.
Jack:
Luke is where he’s supposed to be
Me:
Ok
A noise comes from the lower level. Something soft and innocuous that, if I weren’t awake, I wouldn’t notice.
“Jack,” I whisper. “Someone’s here.”
His eyes narrow, but he looks over at the other computer. “No one’s on the camera.”
“I’ll go look.” I glance at Harper, sleeping so peaceful. If I leave her, she’ll be vulnerable. We’re both vulnerable if someone is in the house and didn’t trip the alarm.
A creak of the staircase decides it for me. I can’t let her get hurt, meaning I’m staying here.
I go to the door and make sure the lock is in place. Then I listen with my heart pounding in my ears. How many times will someone try to get to her before they succeed?
The footsteps are light. They pause next to the door. The knob clicks as someone tries to turn it. Holding my breath, I wait to see if they’ll unlock it.
But then they move past Harper’s room and open the door next to it. A loud thud sounds in the guest room and Harper jerks upright.
“What?”
I sit beside her on the bed and cover her mouth. Her wide eyes meet mine and I shake my head before lowering my hand.
When I stand to go back to the door, Harper grabs my hand. She shakes her head and grabs her phone. After pressing the screen, she shows me she has the app to the alarm service up. There’s a panic button on it.
No more sounds come from next door.
If she presses it, the cops will come. But the alarm will go off, which will scare away whoever is in the house and we’ll never know who it was. Fuck, I’m not sure what to do.
My phone buzzes and I look down at the message.
Jack:
The video feed is down. Don’t be a hero.
I show Harper the text. With her eyes wide, she shakes her phone at me with the panic button. I blow out a breath. Whoever it is isn’t coming in here, at least not yet. They checked the door.If we sound the alarm, they’ll get out before the police can even respond.
I search Harper’s wide eyes. There’s fear in them.
Whoever is out there went into the guest bedroom. What if the reason they’re here is for Luke?
“They might be gone,” I whisper against her ear.
There hasn’t been any more noise. When I draw back, I kiss Harper briefly before grabbing my jeans and pulling them on. I look around her room for something to use as a weapon. She touches my back.
When I turn, she holds out a stick wrapped in pink and purple ribbons. I arch an eyebrow and she shrugs. Fine, it’ll do.
