The Coffee House

Alyssa yawned but was still awake. She refused to sleep at all. She was still terrified. She had no intention of letting her guard down. She was still angry with her father for making her come back inside.

When Dad came into Alyssa's room, he immediately noticed the tell-tale marks around her eyes. She was obviously extremely tired...

"Couldn't you get any sleep last night ?" he asked, sounding concerned. "I know it's terrifying out here... but, we'll all keep you safe. Is there anything we can do to make things more comfortable for you?"

"I don't know." She said. Her tone was scared as well as exhausted. "Dad, I am so scared." She sat down on the bed and tried to wipe the sleep from her eyes. It didn't work. It just added to her exhaustion. "Are we really safe here? Am I? I don't want anyone else getting hurt when he comes after me again."

"Well, we're safer here than anywhere else," Dad assured her. "As long as we all stay in here, they won't harm any of us. They might be able to look inside... but, that's the most they'll be able to do. And I'm sure the police will come once we can get through to them..."

Alyssa sighed and nodded. "I'll take your word for it." She said. She remained sitting on the bed.


Outside, someone dressed in black was watching them through the window.

"Just ignore him," Dad urged, as he positioned himself between the window and Alyssa. "I know it's difficult, but... there's nothing they can do to harm you from out there ."

Meanwhile, Dad motioned to Josh and his family, to encourage them to come over and see for themselves...

Both Brian and Josh came over and joined them. Not long after, so did Marissa and Jessica did too. 

Megan sighed and nodded.  "I hate being so scared, Dad." She admitted to Evan.

"I think we all do ," Dad responded. "But, we're all safe in here... we all have each other for protection. And, I'm sure the police will come soon..."

At that moment, Dad heard the sound of a car approaching in the distance... although, he had no way of knowing whether it was friend or foe...

Outside was an approaching police car. It didn't have its sirens going or lights on to avoid scaring off intruders just yet. 

Jessica glanced out the window and was quick to say, "It's the police."

Alyssa sighed from relief. "Good." She said.

"At last..." Dad muttered under his breath, with a sigh of relief. "Took them long enough..."

Unfortunately, their assailants also knew what was coming - and they darted off into the blackness and the undergrowth...

"Dammit !" Dad growled. "I hope the cops don't get on our case for wasting their time..."