Chapter 2

The door frame splintered completely.

A man in a dark hoodie and black ski mask burst into my apartment. He was holding a long knife, the blade catching the light like a warning.

"Nobody fucking move!" His voice was rough and threatening.

Scarlett screamed and immediately ducked behind me. I could feel her trembling.

This is real. This is actually happening. My "nightmare" was a real memory, and now I have to change how this ends. Priority one: protect Scarlett.

"Stay calm," I whispered to her, "everything's going to be okay."

"Where's the safe? Where do you keep your cash?" the man barked.

"We don't have a safe. Please, just take whatever you want from my purse—"

"Don't fucking lie to me! Rich bitches like you always have safes!"

He said "rich bitches like you." This isn't a random break-in. He knows I have money. But I've never seen this guy before in my life. How would he know about my situation?

"Scarlett," I said quietly, not daring to turn around, "when I say run, you run to the bedroom. Lock the door behind you."

I felt her nod against my back.

"You want money?" I tried to keep my voice steady. "My wallet's right there on the counter."

The intruder glanced toward my wallet, and in that split second—

"Run!" I shouted, launching myself at him.

I heard Scarlett's footsteps racing toward the bedroom. Good. At least she was getting to safety.

But this guy was way stronger than I'd expected. He easily shoved me aside, and I crashed into the wall hard.

Ow! But at least Scarlett got away. As long as she's safe, I can handle whatever this psycho dishes out.

"You stupid bitch!" He started walking toward the bedroom. "Where do you think you're going?"

"No!" I scrambled up from the floor and followed him. "Leave her alone! She's just a kid!"

"She doesn't know anything! I'm the one with money!"

"Both of you bitches are going to tell me where the real valuables are."

"Please, don't hurt her. I'll give you everything."

I have to keep his attention on me. Scarlett hasn't done anything wrong. She shouldn't have to suffer because of my family's money.

He kicked open the bedroom door. I heard Scarlett scream again.

I rushed into the bedroom to find Scarlett huddled in the corner by my bed, and the masked man standing in the middle of the room.

"Please don't hurt her," I begged. "She's all the family I have left."

"Shut up," he said, but weirdly, he seemed more focused on me than on Scarlett.

That was strange. If he really wanted to rob us, wouldn't he threaten both of us equally?

"Scarlett, are you okay?"

"I'm so scared, Sloane."

"Both of you, get up. We're going back to the living room."

"Why? We can tell you where everything is right here."

"Because I said so!"

He wants us back in the living room? That doesn't make tactical sense. If he wanted to search for valuables, he should keep us in different rooms to point things out.

But what was even stranger was Scarlett's reaction. She looked scared, but... not scared enough? I mean, if a knife-wielding stranger broke into your safe space, you should be absolutely terrified. But her fear felt almost... controlled?

No, what am I thinking? She's scared out of her mind! Everyone handles fear differently. I can't start doubting her just because she's not completely falling apart. She's my sister, and she needs me to protect her.

"It's okay, Scarlett," I said gently. "I won't let anything happen to you."

Back in the living room, the intruder started going through my stuff, but his search pattern was weird. He seemed to be looking for something specific instead of just grabbing anything valuable.

I slowly edged toward the window, wondering if I could somehow reach the fire escape.

"Where do you think you're going?" He noticed immediately.

"Nowhere," I said. "Just trying to stay out of your way."

"Get back here. Both of you, sit on that couch and don't move."

"Look, just take my laptop, my jewelry, whatever you want—"

"I'll take what I want when I'm ready."

"Sloane, just do what he says," Scarlett whispered.

She's right. I shouldn't make him angry. But I remember from my "dream" that he eventually... No. This time will be different. This time we're going to survive.

We sat on the couch, and I made sure to position myself between Scarlett and the intruder. If he attacked, he'd have to go through me first.

"You live here alone?" he asked me.

"Yes," I answered, then immediately realized that might have been a mistake. If he thought no one would come looking for us...

"Nobody's coming to check on you?"

That's a weird question. Professional criminals don't usually ask stuff like that unless... unless they're planning to stick around for a while.

"My fiancé might come over," I lied. "He usually calls if he's working late."

"When?" The man's voice got tighter.

"Any time now."

That seemed to make him more anxious. He started pacing around my living room.

"Call him. Tell him not to come."

"I can't. He'll know something's wrong."

"Then we'll wait for him."

"Sloane, maybe you should just call him," Scarlett said quietly.

"No. I won't put Cass in danger too."

Wait. Scarlett wants me to call Cass? But if she's really afraid of this dangerous criminal, why would she want to bring more people into harm's way? Unless... unless she thinks Cass showing up would somehow help the situation?

But that thought was ridiculous. Scarlett was just panicking and not thinking clearly.

"I'm not calling anyone," I said firmly. "You want money? I'll transfer it to you right now. Just let us go."

"It's not that simple," he replied, which confused me even more.

The intruder walked over to the door and checked the locks. I realized he was making sure we couldn't escape.

We're trapped. He controls the door, the windows are three stories up, and he's got a weapon while we have nothing. In my memory, Cass showed up right around now... but if I'm remembering correctly, that means...

I glanced at the clock: 7:45 PM.

If my memory was accurate, Cass would arrive any minute. But last time, his "rescue" had failed.

"Nobody's going anywhere until I get what I came for."

"What exactly did you come for?"

"You'll find out."

I squeezed Scarlett's hand tight, feeling the sweat on her palm.

Whatever this guy wanted, whatever was about to happen, I was going to protect my sister. I'd already died once. I wasn't going to let history repeat itself.

But first, I needed help. I needed Cass to get here fast. And this time, we had to change the ending.