Chapter 3 The Intruder
786 Words
Late at night, Joanna finally managed to put Lily to bed and collapsed onto the sofa in exhaustion.
After the terrifying events of the day, she should have gone to sleep early, but her mind was a mess.
Lily's question remained unanswered.
Joanna had never told her daughter about Steven's terrible behavior.
He wasn't a good husband, but he had never mistreated Lily.
Before they ran away, Lily had been very attached to her father.
How could she explain to Lily that she never planned to return to Steven?
Her work phone suddenly rang.
She had left in such a rush earlier that she hadn't turned it off.
Answering the call, she heard Mr. W's gentle voice.
"Hello, Joey, is that you?"
Remembering how she had hung up on Mr. W because of Lily, she quickly apologized, fearing that he was up to no good.
"I'm sorry, Mr. W. I didn't mean to hang up on you. I had an emergency I had to deal with."
Joanna's voice was as clear and soothing as ever, with a hint of urgency. Harvey lay in bed, his mind filled with the image of the woman he had seen that afternoon.
Just like her voice, she was captivating in every way.
So, since returning, he had been calling her repeatedly.
He wanted to confirm if they were indeed the same person.
Hearing her mention the afternoon's events, Harvey naturally asked, "What happened? Do you need my help?"
He was eager to get closer to her, but before he could get a response, there was a loud crash and a scream on the other end of the line.
"Hello? What's happening? Hello?"
Harvey sat up straight, alarmed.
However, the line went dead.
Thinking the woman on the other end might be in trouble, Harvey ran out without hesitation.
Joanna hadn't meant to hang up the phone.
It was an instinctive reaction in her panic.
A stone had smashed through her nearest window, and the power had suddenly gone out.
The whole house was plunged into darkness, with cold wind howling through the broken window.
She tensed up, her senses on high alert.
"Hey, Mrs. Olsen, is that you? Mrs. Olsen?"
Joanna called out softly.
A shadow climbed in from outside.
Realizing what was happening, Joanna turned and ran.
However, the shadow was much faster.
"Hey, b***h, good evening. Why are you running? Not happy to see me?"
The intruder pinned Joanna against the wall.
The disgusting smell was unmistakable—it was John, that despicable thug!
Fear seized Joanna's mind as she struggled furiously.
"John Anderson, let me go! I've already called the police!"
"The police? Joanna, you're hilarious. By the time those lazy cops get here, I'll be already done. Look at you, that face, that body... You're such a hottie!"
John pinned Joanna with one hand, his other hand slipping under her clothes.
The revolting feeling spread across her skin. Then, Joanna kicked John hard in the groin.
He staggered back in pain, giving Joanna a chance to escape, but the door to Lily's room opened.
"Mommy, what's happening? It's so noisy," Lily asked, rubbing her sleepy eyes.
Joanna rushed forward, scooping Lily up to run, but John yanked her hair.
She couldn't escape, but to protect her child, Joanna shoved Lily towards the door.
"Run and get help! Go to Bobby, he lives next door!"
Bobby was a policeman.
"You little b***h, you dare kick me! I'll destroy you tonight!"
John pushed Joanna onto the sofa, starting to undo his pants, when the front door burst open with a loud bang.
Another figure charged in, grabbing John by the shoulder and yanking him off Joanna. Then, he pummeled him with heavy punches.
Joanna was terrified by the scene but soon recognized the man. It was Harvey from that afternoon.
She didn't know why he was there, but if he continued, John would surely die.
"Stop it! You'll kill him!"
Joanna rushed over and wrapped her arms around Harvey, nearly climbing onto him to make him stop.
Feeling her soft body against his, Harvey experienced a strange sensation.
It was like a little hand had reached inside him, tugging at his heart.
The unfamiliar feeling made him freeze.
They both stood still, neither moving.
Taking advantage of the moment, John scrambled to his feet, glaring at them.
"You'll both pay for this, I swear!"
With that, he fled.
Harvey wanted to chase after him, but Joanna pulled him back.
"It's useless. No matter how much you beat him, he'll keep coming back like a pest."
"What if he comes after you again? What if something happens to you? I would be..."
Both of them froze at his words.
- Writer
