Page 5 of Within Shadows
Me:Maybe. Consider this careful research.
I watch the dots pop up immediately and bite my lip as I wait for him to reply.
Garrett:Well, I’ve seen that one, and it was all the aunt. Saved you forty minutes of your life.
I sit up, jaw wide open as I tap the button to call him. He picks up immediately, and I consider hanging up.
“Miss me already, Maeve?” he taunts.
“You spoiled it! I love watching these and trying to guess who did it,” I pout. He’s silent for a moment.
“Well, I am truly sorry for my misdeed. I absolutely won’t spoil the next episode, mostly because I haven’t seen it yet.”
“I’m gonna watch it and spoil it for you,” I taunt.
“Maeve, are you drunk?” I frown, confident that I wasn’t slurring my words.
“I’m spoiling the next two episodes now,” I huff.
“I have an idea. We watch the next episode together, on the phone. Mine’s loading up right now,” he offers.
“Okay, but I need five to grab snacks and a refill!” I hurriedly head to the kitchen, listening to him ruffling through snacks of his own.
Chapter 3
Maeve
A loud bang has me peeling my eyes open with a groan, and I slowly sit up, realizing I’m not in my bed. The television is casting an eerie glow, asking if I’m still watching, and I check my phone to see I’m still on a call with Garrett. A six hour call was a new one for me, and I have to bite back a laugh when I can hear his soft snore carry through the speaker.
“Goodnight, Garrett,” I whisper, about to hang up when another loud sound rattles my entire house. I let out a startled shriek and drop my phone when I leap to my feet.
“Maeve? Are you okay?” Garrett is wide awake now as I snatch my phone up and crouch on the ground, trying to peer over the back of my couch and through the dark window.
“Something just slammed into my front door. Somebody's out there,” I whisper, my voice shaking.
“Maeve, don’t go to the door.” His voice is deeper, more commanding without its usual soft tone.
“Considering what we were watching before I dozed off, I’m not going anywhere near it.” Another bang, and I crawl across the ground to get to my kitchen. I quickly grab the largest knife I own and stand on trembling legs.
“Go to the furthest room, somewhere with a window you can climb out if they get in. I’ll be there soon.” He’s trying to calm me, and thankfully some reason returns.
“Wait, no, what if they’re dangerous? I need to call the police,” I hiss through my teeth. The sound of an engine revving nearly drowns out his voice, but I catch what he says. “Go fucking hide, Maeve. Don’t hang up.” His tone is sharp, and I curse under my breath when the front door groans, the entire thing ready to break. My feet slide across the smooth floor as I rush for my room and slam the door shut, locking it behind me.
“I’m in my room,” I whisper, backing up until I hit the wall and slide down. A disgruntled meow comes from outside the room, and my eyes widen.
“Atticus is out there!” I jump up, running for the door just as a horrific crash comes from the living room. The front door slams off the wall, and I know whoever it is, they’re inside. I fumble with the door, and Garrett shouts through the phone.
“Maeve, don’t open the door! Who is Atticus?”
“My cat!” Tears are streaming down my face as I finally open the door, and Atticus dives through the opening. I look down the hallway and see the figure of a man striding through the entryway, turning to lock eyes with me. I can’t make out any features with his hood pulled up, casting him in shadows, but I can feel his stare. My body is locked in place, frozen with terror.
I finally slam the door shut as he rushes towards me, screaming as I twist the lock into place when he barrels into the door, bowing it with his weight. My phone falls from my hands, but I don’t stop to pick it up.
Atticus yowls beneath my bed, and I scrabble to drag him out as he fights me.
“We have to go, don’t make me flip this damn bed!” Tears have fully blurred my vision, and the man fighting against my door is going to break it down before I can get my cat and escape.
Tires squeal, and I can hear the pounding of feet. “Maeve?” Garrett’s loud shout carries from my phone and through the front door at the same time. Garrett is about to come inside—and run right into whoever broke into my home.
