cravingpenelope Read Free Page B

roof. But there was another sound, a rustling of a curtain flapping along a wall from an open window when one should not have been open. Penelope listened harder and heard something clatter to the floor in her bedroom. Panic quickly settled into her bones. Someone was in the house with her. She slowly stood up and tried to be quiet. She slipped out of the office and glanced around for something to use for a weapon. The lights flickered.
    No. No. No. Now is not the time for the power to go out. Her back hit the wall, and the firmness of the structure helped to keep her grounded. Her cell phone was in her pocket. Penelope pulled it out and saw a shadow move across the hallway. If the burglar did not catch her, then hopefully she could make it out alive. Petey darted across the room toward the sounds she was hearing. Something fell to the floor and shattered.
    “Stupid cat!” a man swore.
    Everything in her froze. Penelope held her breath and tried to think of an escape from her house. Her keys were by the door and to get to them, she had to cross the intruder’s path. If she moved, a board would squeak and he would know that she was there. Another clap of thunder vibrated the house. There was no other way except to go back into her office and pray he did not find her. Penelope slid backward along the wall. She made it back into her office and closed the door softly. From there, she backed into the closet and shut the door. Penelope pulled out her cell phone and began to dial 911. Before her finger hit the final one, she heard the click of her office door being opened. Oh shit!
    She hit the last one and then pressed send. Right when she did that, the closet door burst open and she was staring at the burglar. His face was hidden by a dark hoodie, but she swore his eyes glowed red in the darkness. He was taller than her and from the illumination from the lightning, Penelope could make out that he was broad shouldered, but that was about it. Her heart stopped and she backed further into the closet, trying to become one with the wall. Her gaze darted around the room hoping to find an escape, but he blocked her.
    “911...hello...”
    The burglar grabbed her hand and wrenched the phone from it, flinging it across the room so she heard it shatter. “Now. Now. Can’t be having anyone join the party. You’re all he wants. You’re a strong one too. Although he didn’t say that I couldn’t have a little fun with you before I brought you in.”
    “W-what do you want with me? Take whatever you want. Please don’t hurt me.” Penelope saw her life march before her eyes and knew this was going to be it. This was the moment it was all going to end, and she was trapped in a closet. Her attacker’s eyes grew red once more. This time she knew it was not from the lightning flashes because the glow illuminated his face. It was twisted, as though he had been burned, but his features had not been rearranged properly. His eyes were completely round, and his nose was only two slits where his mouth should have been. What she considered a mouth was in the middle of his face. A jagged mouth, as though it had been sewed on, spread into a twisted smile. When she looked at his hands, they had curved nails.
    A shriek froze in her throat. The man before her was not truly a man. He was something else, but she did not know what. When he gripped her wrist, her empathic ability kicked into high gear and his delight at terrifying her jolted her, along with the pleasure of what he wanted to do to her. It left Penelope with a dirty feeling and if she got out of this alive, she was going to take a long hot shower to cleanse herself of his taint.
    “What do I want with you? Good question, but I can’t tell you that. You’re going to be so much fun to break in. Once that happens, maybe he’ll give you to me. I deserve a reward for all my hard work.”
    “Please...” she started to say, but a sharp sting cut her off. Penelope touched her cheek where he