James hefted me up like one of his sacks of squirrels. He held my mouth so only tiny whimpers could get out as I clawed the back of his hand. Drawing blood.
Seeming unfazed, he continued to drag me backward. Straight toward my room.
How’d he know?
I got my answer once we were inside.
The shutters were open wide, indicating my window was the one he’d come through.
How long had he been here?
The thought that he could’ve been sitting there watching me sleep was unsettling.
It made me feel terrifyingly vulnerable.
He pushed the bedroom door closed.
Hoping it’ll muffle whatever happens in here enough that my parents won’t wake.
This is bad. My instincts were crawling.
James growled at me. “If you’re loud and you wake them, I’ll rip them apart.”
I squeaked. Nodding behind
