Eli and I stumbled into the night, our breaths ragged and hearts pounding with terror. The cold air was a stark contrast to the warmth of the house that had so quickly turned sinister. We clutched each other tightly, driven by instinct and adrenaline. As we crossed the street toward Mrs. Leverne’s house, each step felt like a marathon. Behind us, our home sat eerily quiet, the echo of Jared’s betrayal still reverberating in my mind.
Mrs. Leverne, our elderly neighbor, was startled by the frantic knocks at her door. Her eyes widened in shock as she took in our disheveled state, but her instincts kicked in immediately. She ushered us inside, her questions hanging in the air unanswered as I focused on getting Eli settled on the couch.
“What’s happened, dear?” she finally asked, her voice a mix of concern and bewilderment.
