Chapter 2 The Fourth Wake

This time, he didn't give me a chance to speak.

The knife slid into my belly with the same sick, precise motion.

When I opened my eyes for the third time, I sprang up and ran to the door, slamming the bedroom lock tight.

At almost the same moment, someone turned the handle outside.

My phone lit up. The nightmare news alert appeared on schedule.

"Honey, open the door."

I pressed my back to the wood, my heart banging in my ribs. My hand shook as I dialed Julian.

After a few rings, he answered.

"Elena?" Julian's voice came through—familiar and tired—and I felt the dam inside me break. Tears poured down my face.

"Darling…"

"Sorry, honey, an emergency came up at work. I'll probably have to stay late. Go to bed early. Don't wait up."

My heart sank to the floor.

It was Jayden at the door.

The pounding grew harder, more frantic.

"Elena, open up! Why did you lock the door?" he shouted.

I jabbed the phone close to my mouth and replied, "Julian, whatever you hear, don't come home. Call the police. Call right now!"

I hung up, took a deep breath, and forced myself to shout back at the door with everything I had. "Jayden!"

The hammering stopped.

One second. Two seconds.

Then, the assault resumed—wilder, more violent.

"How did you know?" he asked.

No sooner had he spoken than the door split with a massive crack. He'd grabbed an axe in the hall and was chopping at the wood; splinters flew.

Through the new gap came Jayden's cold, amused laugh. "Elena, now that you know, I won't pretend anymore. Tonight, you have to die."

…

For the fourth time I woke up reborn, lying in bed, my body ice-cold.

There were fewer than five minutes before Jayden would push through.

I forced myself to stay calm and think. I needed something to defend myself. A fight over the knife would leave me at a disadvantage. He was stronger.

My eyes swept the room and landed on the vanity.

In the drawer sat a can of pepper spray. I'd bought it a little while ago because I'd been scared walking home alone at night, purely for self-defense.

I sprang up and slid the spray under the comforter where I could grab it quickly.

When I was done, I didn't lock the door. Instead, I walked over and eased it open just a crack.

A few minutes later, Jayden came in.

I didn't wait for him to speak. I threw back a corner of the blanket and smiled at him like a woman waiting in bed.

"Honey, you're home. I've been waiting for you," I said, my voice soft.

He froze.

He stood there, as if he couldn't understand.

I sat up, letting a strap of my nightgown slip off my shoulder, and curled a finger at him.

"What are you waiting for? Come on over." I tried to sound inviting.

The wary look in his eyes slowly slid away and was replaced by hunger. He thought he had me.

When he let his guard down and leaned over me, I snatched the pepper spray from beneath the blanket and blasted it into his face.

"Ahhh!" His scream tore through the house as he clutched his face and rolled across the bed.

Seizing the chance, I scrambled off the bed and bolted for the door. Living room, foyer, front door—I could be out!

I grabbed the doorknob and twisted it.

The door didn't budge.

I looked down. A big, shiny deadbolt hung across it.

Behind me, Jayden's screams gave way to heavy, staggering footsteps closing in. "Heh… Elena, you really gave me a nice surprise," he croaked.

I froze.

Then, I turned my head stiffly.

Jayden clutched his watering eyes with one hand while bracing himself against the wall with the other, swaying unsteadily. His face was scorched an angry red.

"Go on, run. Why'd you stop?" His voice was hoarse as he advanced step by step. "Did you really think a little toy like that could keep me back?"