Prologue

Liz stared at her reflection in the mirror as she rinsed her tooth brush off. She looked as tired as she felt. Her long brown hair was silky smooth and shiny when she started the day but was now stringy and greasy. It had been a long day at work and she just wanted to sleep. She spat after a couple of swishes and turned the light out. She was house sitting slash dog sitting so it wasn't a surprise that Rex was waiting in the hall when she left the bathroom.

"What now?" She asked Rex, annoyed that the dog probably wanted out again for the fourth time in the hour she had been home. Rex constantly wanted to be let out to "pee" but wouldn't do anything and expected a treat when let back in. It was a cycle of annoyances that led to her hatred of the dog.

"Never again, Rex, will I agree to watch you after this week is over! Do you hear me!" Liz sighed as she realized how stupid it was to argue with a dog. Rex pawed at the front door and barked until she gave in.

Liz looked out the big door window before unlocking it and letting him out. It made her nervous to be alone at this time of night. The house was out in the middle of nowhere. Her worrywart mother would be calling any time to check on her. The overweight golden retriever took off snarling into the dark. She took a few steps out on the porch and shivered as the cold wind blew. "Must be some wild animal. Better not bring it back in with you!" She turned to go back inside and jumped when the phone rang. Caller ID said it was her mother.

"Hello?"

"Hey Honey, I was just calling to make sure you got there alright. How was work?"

Liz walked around the living room with the phone, stopping to look out the huge windows near the back deck.

"It was terrible as usual. The waitress shouldn't have to take the blame for the cook's mistakes." Liz paused. She knew what her mother would say so she quickly recovered. "You've already heard this story a thousand times so I won't bore you with the details."

"I'm sorry to hear that. It will all be worth it once you're done with college."

"It better be!"

They both laughed.

"How's Rex doing?"

Liz turned around to see the front door shut. Panic crept inside as she tried to remember if she shut it. The normally noisy Rex was also strangely quiet outside.

"Honey, what's wrong?"

"Nothing. I just get a little scared being out here alone."

"I told you I could have made Michael go out there with you."

"I'm fine. I'll call you back."

She hung up and went out the door still holding the phone. Holding it made her feel safer. "Rex! Come here boy! Where are you?"

The phone suddenly rang causing her to jump again. She answered it without looking. "I told you I'd call you back."

No answer. "Hello? Mom?"

She pulled it away to look at the caller ID and it said unknown. A creepy voice spoke just before she was about to hang up.

"Poor Rex, having a dog sitter like you who leaves him out to die. The Randalls aren't going to be happy about their dead dog. Then again they won't be happy about all the blood stains either."

The line went dead and Liz turned to see the power go out in the house. Adrenaline flowed through her veins as she immediately ran for her car in the driveway. This couldn't be happening. This was something that happened in the movies or on tv. She turned the corner to see a figure leaving the garage. She jumped back around hoping he didn't see her. His footsteps against the gravel seemed much louder on this quiet night. The only other sound loud enough was her heart pounding against her chest. She peered around wanting to see what he looked like. She gasped as he was looking right at her pointing to her freshly slashed tires. He was wearing what looked like a potato sack with eye holes. It was frightening.

She immediately turned and ran to the front door. It was unlocked but he wasn't following her. "This must be a game to this freak." Liz remembered the phone in her hand and tried to dial but the connection must have been cut. Her cell phone was charging in the guest bedroom. It was a long shot but she had no other options at this point.

She ran through the hallway and slammed the door behind her. She fumbled in the dark for her cell but she already knew in her heart she wouldn't find it. His footsteps echoed in the hallway and the freak began to whistle.

Liz opened the window but crept into the closet and tried to quiet her breathing. She strained for her eyes to adjust so she could see where he was. His footsteps echoed as he went to the window. She prayed he would fall for her trick and go back outside. He was just standing there at the window for what seemed like hours before he finally left the room.

Liz kept watching the doorway expecting him to come back. She didn't know if she should leave or stay put. She fumbled around for anything she could use as a weapon. She was distracted so she didn't hear him….them come back. The closet door flung open and there were three of them. Potato sack guy and two girls wearing doll masks.

This was it she didn't have any other choice so she lunged at one of the girls but she sidestepped her. The momentum was too great and she hit the side table. That was going to leave a bruise but that didn't matter now. Dazed she rolled on her back. They were just staring at her. What did they want with her? Why were they doing this?

"This was a boring one. A dog and one stupid girl." Liz thought she sounded like one of those uninterested emo girls.

The other girl spoke too. She had a surprisingly soft voice. "She did put up a little fight."

"Whatever. I get to choose our next place."

It was twisted hearing your killers argue about your death like it was the same as choosing a restaurant to eat at. Would she be a two star killing experience?

She thought about her mom and how this would kill her. Michael…she was glad he wasn't here too. He would live on and take care of Mom. The Randalls would be devastated. They loved Rex and they would probably never be able to sleep in this house again.

Potato sack man grabbed her by the hair and dragged her into the living room. She tried to fight but it was no use. At least she didn't have to be a waitress anymore.

"I'm ready."

Thankfully her world went dark after the first stab.