Page 131 of Crow
She crept toward the front door to look through the peephole. Suddenly, the doorknob rattled as if someone were trying to get inside. Stepping back, she stared at the door while thoughts raced through her mind like a whirling dervish.
After a moment, everything went quiet. In the sudden stillness, silence thundered, suffocating and all-encompassing.It was probably the wind.Nerves started to dance along Angie’s spine. Her inner voice told her it wasn’t the wind or a raccoon or a stray cat: something was off.
Then thatsomethingslammed into the door.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Angie screamed.
“Let me in, pretty lady,” a voice rasped.
The man’s tone sounded forced, like he was trying to disguise it.
Too afraid, she didn’t answer—she didn’t even breathe.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
“Open up, pretty lady. I’ve come for you.”
Taking a few steps forward, Angie forced her legs to stay steady. Mustering up her courage, she said, “My boyfriend’s here, and he’s got a gun. I’m going to get him now.”
“No one’s with you, pretty lady. You’re all alone, and soon you’ll be all mine.” A hoarse chuckle came from the dark.
He’s been watching me. I have to get out of here.
The man’s fist slammed on the door, this time longer and louder.
“Leave me alone! The police are on their way.”
“No one’s on their way. Open up,bitch!”
The man banged wildly.
“Go away!”
Then it was quietagain.
The alarm! I forgot to put it on.
BANG!
The psycho’s at the patio door! Shit.
Windows rattled, and doors shook as if vibrated by a freight train. Terror skittered down her spine as she rushed over to the alarm panel and tried to punch in the code, but her fingers stiffened up.No! Please, no.
Panic rose like a tidal wave, washing over her, almost knocking her off her feet.Punch it in! He’s going to break the window! Take a deep breath. You’ve got this. You fucking have this.
The erratic pounding didn’t stop.
Willing herself to inhale deeply and exhale a few times slowly, Angie turned back to the box and put in the code.
“You’re going to die, bitch!” he screamed like a lunatic.
As another loud bang landed on the glass patio door, the deafening sound of the security alarm echoed through the house. Angie rushed upstairs, taking two steps at a time. Her cell phone rang, and she glanced down at the screen, not recognizing the number.
“Hello?” she said, half-expecting to hear the stalker’s raspy voice.
“Are you in trouble, miss? We show your alarm has gone off.”
