Chapter 3

After hustling for a bit, beads of sweat popped out on my forehead and my stomach started growling.

I grabbed a snack from the mini fridge to recharge a little.

Just then, I felt an uneasy chill, like someone was watching me from behind. I spun around and spotted a drone outside the window, shoving its lens right in my face.

In my previous life, I'd wore a huge robe because I had to meet strangers. This time I was only in a tank top. Instinctively, I crossed my arms over my chest and gave the drone the finger, and cursed it.

Almost like it got the message, the drone dropped its wings and zipped away.

That was when I realized that I'd just missed a golden chance to call for help.

Freaking out, I dashed to the window and knocked hard, but the drone just flew off without even looking back.

Right then, someone knocked on my door again. Guess my window-banging got their attention.

"Quinn, are you awake?" Ruby asked.

I held my breath, refusing to make a sound.

Suddenly, my phone started ringing. Someone was calling me.

I was really hoping those people outside wouldn't notice my bag, but now I felt so desperate.

I dropped down to the floor, listening hard for any sounds from outside.

Ruby picked up the phone. "Yeah, we're home. Just bring it up."

Turned out it was the delivery guy.

"Why's her phone here?" Ruby said as soon as she hung up.

"She refused to open the door and even left her phone here. Did she know something?" the hefty woman said.

"Yeah, who can survive without their phone nowadays? She refused to open the door and didn't dare to come out to get her phone. Something's off," a guy added.

"Enough talk. Let me try," another man spoke up. I recognized his voice. It was Shawn King, the tallest one. He was also the toughest and most vicious one among them, basically the ringleader of the group.

He pounded on the door and shouted, "Hey, lady, not even gonna take your phone? Come out and eat something."

I kept my mouth shut, just letting him keep pounding on the door.

"Still nothing? Is she dead or what?" one of the guys snickered.

"Did you let something slip and she heard you?" someone accused Ruby.

"Of course not," Ruby retorted anxiously.

"Then why isn't she opening the door?" Shawn asked coldly.

One man said, "Like she has a choice? Smash it down."

One of the guys sent a flying kick at the door, making the frame rattle, but with the cabinet bracing it, the door held firm.

They sensed something was wrong, and suddenly it went dead quiet outside. I had no clue what they were scheming out there.

I rushed to the closet, grabbed a tracksuit, and bundled up from head to toe. Then I finally felt a bit safer.

Just then, I heard something outside the window. The drone was sneaking back up.

I started waving like crazy, worried it'd take off before I could get its attention.

The drone just hovered there, filming me, and for a second I was totally stumped on how to get my message across.

In a panic, I dropped to the ground, making desperate pleading gestures, and then pointed frantically at the other window, hoping it'd catch the sign I'd taped up over there.

Sure enough, the drone actually turned to check it out, then took a nosedive and disappeared from sight.

I rushed to the window, but couldn't see where it had gone. Whoever was piloting it was probably watching live. Would that guy call the police for me?

The doorbell rang, and my heart shot right up into my throat.

Soon, Ruby went to answer the door. It was the delivery guy.

She came over to my door with the package, knocked again, and tried to talk to me.

She said, "Quinn, your delivery's here. Looks like it's something fresh. Don't you want to check it out?"

There was no way in hell I was saying a word. The second I opened my mouth, they'd force me to unlock the door. But if I kept quiet, they'd know I was on alert and might kick the door down.

Right now, all I could do was drag this out. If I could just hold on until they gave up and left, I'd be in the clear.

A man said, "Stop knocking. She's pretending she's not hearing anything. Let me do it. No way this door can keep us out."

As soon as he said that, a deafening roar ripped through the air. A piercing, bone-rattling noise made me jump to my feet. Holy crap, that was a chainsaw!

Were they seriously about to chainsaw their way in?

Guess it was time to brace myself for the worst.

I dashed into the bathroom, desperately rummaging for anything that could help. All I came up with was a flimsy aluminum rod. Who the hell would prepare for this kind of nightmare?

Just then, the cabinet bracing the door started shaking like crazy. The chainsaw was already cutting in.

"Is this door really that thick? Something's off," Shawn grumbled. Then he took the chainsaw. In no time, the blade burst through the door panel, and chills shot down my spine.