Chapter 9

Byron turned to look at her. “You don’t have to thank me for that.” Their eyes met once again. And once again, the world tilted. He leaned in. She did too, Their lips almost touched. And then.... CRASH! The sound of shattering glass shattered the silence. Jennifer stood up, her heart racing. Byron was already in motion. “Stay here.” She still followed him into the kitchen. Glass sparkled across the tile floor. A brick lay among the shards of glass, having smashed the small window above the sink. Byron picked it up. Something was taped to it. A note. He unfolded it, and his jaw tightened. “YOU THINK YOU’RE SAFE? HE CAN'T PROTECT YOU.” Jennifer's stomach twisted. Panic gasped short breaths in and out of her. And then she saw it. Beyond the fence at the edge of the yard was a dark figure. Not moving. Just watching. A shadow. Her mouth went dry. "Byron," she whispered, pointing. He looked up in time to see the figure turn and vanish into the night. Gone. But not forgot