CHAPTER 44

Esther was in her living room, late in the cool evening, and leisurely watching a program with the lights dimmed. Ever since Karen travelled, she found herself having more nights where she lounged alone, chasing some level of entertainment before she bowed out of the fight in retirement to bed.

This night was no different, she relaxed into her chair, at the brink of letting go but was jolted by three successive bangs from the front door. Her eyes flickered to the time, not expecting anyone. She warily stared at the door, wondering what and who was behind it.

“ I know you are in there! Open up!” A loud, angry and unfamiliar voice came from the door.

Esther felt chilled to the bones. Was she being robbed? She scanned the room for the nearest weapon she could utilize- which ended up being an old flower vase she doubted could inflict a reasonable amount of pain.

The door frame rattled at the amount of force exerted on the bangs that followed, her heart fell into the abyss that was her gut