Chapter 6 - The Siege
I didn't hesitate. I dialed 911 immediately.
“911, what is your emergency?”
“I need police officers at 142 Elm Street right now!” I shouted into the phone, keeping my eyes fixed on the blue truck outside. “Caleb Miller is outside my house! He’s under a restraining order and he’s threatening me and my children!”
“Units are en route, ma’am. Stay inside, lock all doors, and stay away from windows.”
Outside, the truck door clicked open.
Caleb stepped out into the night, wearing his leather jacket, a heavy crowbar dangling from his right hand. He walked slowly up my driveway, his boots crunching against the gravel.
“Laura!” he shouted, his voice echoing across the quiet neighborhood street. “Hand over the drive and we walk away! You keep the kid, I keep my freedom! Nobody has to get hurt!”
I ran upstairs, grabbed Emma and Lily from their beds without waking them completely, and shoved them into the master bedroom walk-in closet.
“Stay in here, lock the door, and do not make a sound until I come get you,” I whispered, kissing both of their foreheads. Emma nodded, holding Lily tight.
I locked the closet door from the outside, took a deep breath, and ran back down the stairs just as the heavy sound of metal shattering glass exploded through the lower floor.
Caleb had smashed the glass pane on the back patio door.
He reached inside, turned the deadbolt, and kicked the door open, stepping into my kitchen. His face was twisted into a violent mask, sweat gleaming on his forehead.
“Where is it?” he growled, swinging the crowbar gently at his side.
“The police are twenty seconds away, Caleb!” I shouted, holding the brass candlestick like a weapon, stepping behind the kitchen island. “They know you’re here!”
“I don't care!” Caleb roared, lunging around the island.
He swung the crowbar. I ducked, the heavy metal missing my head by inches and shattering the granite countertop corner into a spray of white dust.
I kicked out with all my strength, hitting Caleb squarely in the shins. He stumbled back with a curse, dropping the crowbar onto the tile floor.
I scrambled forward, grabbing the crowbar, but Caleb lunged like a wild animal, pinning me against the floor, his heavy hands locking around my neck.
Air rushed out of my lungs. Black spots danced across my vision. I clawed at his fingers, digging my nails into his skin, but his grip was like iron.
“You ruined my life!” Caleb spat into my face, his bloodshot eyes bulging. “You ruined everything!”
BANG!
Suddenly, a heavy ceramic vase shattered across the back of Caleb’s head.
Caleb groaned, his grip loosening as he collapsed sideways onto the tile, bleeding from a gash on his scalp.
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I gasped for air, rolling over, coughing violently.
Standing over Caleb, holding the jagged neck of the broken ceramic vase, was Sarah.
