Addie wanted to panic. She wanted to run and scream for Monroe, but instead, she forced herself to take another slow step back. Maybe this guy hadn’t seen her, or maybe he thought that she hadn’t seen him, so she could still have the element of surprise.
Grabbing her phone, she headed into the hallway.
What should she do? Who should she call? Should she call the police?
She quickly dialed 911 and spoke to the operator as she headed into Monroe’s room. After explaining the situation, the operator told her to grab her sister and hide.
Shit. She hoped that Monroe had locked the front door when she’d come home.
“Monroe, get dressed,” she said urgently, barging into the bathroom.
“Addie? What are you doing? I’m in the shower!”
Yeah, no kidding.
“Get out. Get dressed quick. There’s someone here.”
“What do you mean? Someone is here to see me?” Monroe asked as she reached for a towel. “Tell them I’m not in the mood for visitors right now. Although it would be a good distraction and I have a new knock-knock joke.”
“Monroe, no. That’s not what I mean. There’s somebody outside. They were staring through the window at me.”
“What? What do you mean they were staring through the window at you?” Monroe climbed out of the shower and grabbed a towel, quickly drying off.
“I don’t know, but it was super creepy, and I’ve called the police.”
Monroe pulled on her clothes.
“Maybe we should hide in here,” Addie said as Monroe walked toward the bathroom door.
“No, I want to see if there’s anyone out there. The house is locked up. They can’t get in.”
“Right, sure, unless they smash a window or something.” She quickly sent a message off to Dotty to let her know what was going on, not wanting her to arrive and get hurt.
“We need a weapon.” Monroe looked around and saw the toilet paper holder. She flicked off the toilet paper rolls and held it up high, like she actually intended to hit someone with it.
It was light and Addie really didn’t see how it would do anyone any damage. However, if they were doing this, then maybe she needed some sort of weapon too.
Opening the cupboard doors under the sink, she grabbed the hairspray and shaving foam.
Sure, she felt ridiculous, but she had to do something.
As Monroe stepped into the hallway, she let out an ear-piercing, shattering scream.
Oh my God! Heart racing and her breath stuttering, Addie followed her sister out, right as a man rushed at them.
Monroe drew back the toilet paper holder and smashed it down against him with a yell, but, as Addie had thought, it did very little except annoy him.
He grabbed Monroe and slammed her against the wall, putting his hand over her mouth.
“Shut up,” he roared in her face.
Addie stood there frozen for a moment, fear holding her immobile.
Snap out of it, Addie!
Screw it. She wasn’t going to let anyone hurt her sister. She didn’t care about her own safety, but no one touched Monroe.
Addie ran at them, slamming herself into his body. Somehow, she sent him flying off Monroe. Her sister stood there choking and gasping for air as the man turned on Addie.
