2 Survive (1/2)

[WARNING: This chapter contains brutal scenes of murder and abusive language. Please read at your own risk.]

I clasped my hand over my mouth to keep from screaming.

'Someone is dead.'

'Daddy... daddy... help.'

'I... I have to get up.'

I slid down to the floor and crawled to the door, unable to be on my feet.

'If I open this door... I wil-'

*thud*

'I can't open the door.'

'I can't die.'

I pressed my ear against the door and waited for more sounds.

'Dad must be awake, right?'

My fingers tried to grasp the knob.

'Phone.'

'Call 911.'

I stopped myself from doing anything.

'He's awake... his footsteps. I know his footsteps.'

”You little bitch!” she heard a female voice. ”I told you to fucking stop and you dared to come after me!” I shrunk back in fear. Of course, I heard the slight creaking of the wood in the hallways, as if someone was shifting from one foot to another, trying to find a suitable position to stand in.

”I've already called the police. They are on their way,” Dad's voice was firm. ”You can't kill me.”

”Charlie, stop it!” I heard my mom groan.

'Pain? Was she in pain?'

The scenario flashed in front of my eye... Dad was trying to control and calm her. He must have had his hands raised in front of his body, an image of surrender, yet it was also to calm the perpetrator. The situation and the words that he was saying reminded me of a conversation I had with him years ago, sitting on the patio after he had returned from the police station.

'Remember what dad said, Evie.'

”It is necessary to gauge the mental situation of the person you are handling. If you must make a deal with someone who is posing a threat to you, then it should be with the person who has lost connection with reality. Under no circumstance should you engage in a deal with a criminal holding someone hostage. It will always end badly.”

Hostage.

'She has Mom hostage.'

”Alice, you need to calm down and listen to me.”

”I am calm you little shit. I hate that you act all high and mighty, thinking you can find me. You think I am taking your wife hostage?” She laughed.

*thud*

A softer one. Just the sound of a body gently falling over.

'I have to go out...'

Dad was wrong. He hadn't understood the killer like he thought he did. Alice was something else. I remember opening the door and witnessing her lunging at my dad.