Chapter 4

I feel like you don't want me around,

I guess I'll pack all my things,

I guess I'll see you around.

Inside it bottles up until now,

As I walk out your door,

All I hear is the sound.

Always, always, always, always,

Always, always, always,

I just can't live without you.

Chloe was watching a documentary when she heard a noise. She ignored it, figuring it was probably Lana or Gabe coming home. Then she heard the distinct sound of tinkling glass. Her eyes got wide as she shut off the television and walked slowly from the living room. A black gloved hand was reaching through the now-broken window, trying to open the lock on the front door.

Chloe pressed herself flat against the wall, trying to control her breathing. When she heard the front door swing open she ran. The slickness of her shoes on the linoleum caused her to slip, but she pushed herself up and kept going, racing into her father's room and slamming the door closed. She jumped at the loudness of the noise she had made. Gabe's room was the only room with a lock on the door. She quickly bolted it into place, running to the other side of the bed.

Chloe listened for footsteps, hearing only her harsh breathing. She snatched the portable phone from its cradle, flipping it on and beginning to dial. A bang on the door caused her to drop the phone with a clatter. When the low bang came again she scrambled to the floor, reaching under the bed for the phone.

"Go away!" she screamed, trying not to cry. "Please, just go away." Chloe took the phone in shaking hands, trying to punch in the correct numbers, but failing in her hurry.

"Shit!" she muttered under her breath. When the noise of the intruder trying to break in the door came again she ran into the bathroom. She jerked the door shut, leaning against it. "Come on, come on. Dial, damn it!"

She screamed when she heard wood splintering. Only then did she begin to cry. "No. Please, no," she whispered, her tears coming in big sobs.

When the intruder slammed into the bathroom door Chloe shrieked, throwing herself to the opposite wall. "Please. Please leave me alone. Please don't hurt me," she begged.

With a large boom the door flew open. Standing in the splintered doorway stood a man in a black ski mask. Chloe flattened herself against the wall, throwing the phone at the man. It bounced harmlessly off of his chest.

When he advanced on Chloe, she screamed. "No, please. No. No, no, no," she begged, sliding down the wall.

The man pulled a syringe from his pocket and slid off the plastic protective cover. Without a word he walked to Chloe, sinking the syringe into the flesh where her shoulder met her neck. Before Chloe could scream again her eyes fluttered closed.