AUTHOR'S NOTE: This gets a little creepy. I want everyone to know in advance that it never gets too gruesome.

CHAPTER 1

Veronica huddled underneath the bed, shivering in fear. Her hiding spot wasn't what you would call original, but it had worked. At least so far. She could still hear noise from downstairs, letting her know that he was still in the house. She knew that she should be looking for a way out, but she couldn't move.

"Verrrrooonicaaaaa?" he called out. She flinched at the sound of his voice. She had a sudden flash of Jack Nicholson's voice in the shining. Totally insane. All he needed was an axe and the picture would be complete. "I know you're still here" he screamed. She whimpered and tried to muffle the sounds of her sobs. She couldn't crack now, or he would find her. She didn't know what would happen if the monster found her.

'Where was she? The little bitch thinks she can get away?' He laughed out loud at the thought. He opened closets and stormed through the first floor of his family home.

"Family home" he said out loud, snorting. "Some family. A whore for a sister and mindless drones for parents". He threw a chair across the room and upturned a table as he continued to look for Veronica. He had searched the whole first floor before he looked up at the ceiling.

"I know you're up there Veronica" he yelled, as he made his way to the stairs. Laughter bubbled out of him as he made his way up. He was going to kill her with his bare hands.

"I know you're up there Veronica" the monster yelled. Veronica's blood ran cold as she heard him approach the stairs. He was stomping along, loud enough to let her know that he was coming. The thought had her limbs waking up. She rolled out from under the bed and went to the window. She opened it quickly and leaned out. It was a straight drop to the back patio.

"I can't do this" she muttered to herself, turning her back to the window. Her eyes frantically searched the room for any other ideas. The sound of a door slamming open down the hall had her gasping in fear. There was no way out. No way but down. She hooked her legs over the sill and looked down. It was only one story. As long as she didn't scream he wouldn't even know she was down. Another door slammed. Closer this time. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes, and jumped.