Chapter 80

Jacob POV

The house looks deserted when I pull up to the driveway. The only thing that tells me someone’s home is that the front porch lights are still burning.

When I reach the front door, it’s ajar and one of the window panes is missing as if it’s been knocked out by force. There are still shards of glass on the floor.

I enter the door and shout across the foyer, “Hello, anybody home?” The only sound that comes back is the echo of my voice.

Something doesn’t feel right. It’s as if the silence is covering up something more sinister. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing and I can hear my heart beating in my chest. I call out again, “Hellooooo.”

I hear a heavy thud. It sounds like it’s coming from the kitchen.

I make my way there as fast as I can. When I get to the kitchen, there’s more shattered glass on the floor but no sign of anyone.

As I’m about to turn around, from the corner of my eye I see a commotion in the courtyard. Proceeding with caution, I come across what