Shattered wood hung at crazy angles around the lock. He must have strong legs and feet. Those feet and fists weren't getting anywhere near her. Or near Patch. If they did that to a door …

Nem's mom appeared from nowhere behind him, her voice high and thin with emotion. "Please Alan. Please stop. Leave her alone. Calm down."

As though she hadn't spoken, he continued toward Nem.

She sized up her escape, or lack of it, in an instant. Even if she rushed past him, she couldn't desert her new friend. She also calculated she had no time to grab her kitten before he reached her. So she brandished her scissors and, without thinking her plan through, ran at Alan as fast as she could, waving her silly weapon. Maybe surprise might be on her side.

But this was the wrong move. With one swipe he grabbed her wrist and lifted her off the floor. Her eyes were at the same height as his and she looked into them, but there wasn't a man there anymore; she saw a nightmare. Something from hell.

Her mother screamed, "Nooo!"

Nem couldn't see her. Tunnel vision had set in, and Alan’s anger solely aimed at her was all she could see. Now she worried for her mom. She must stop him. Use the scissors. Kill him and save everyone.

"You little brat," he said, through clenched teeth, "You're gonna learn who's boss. You and your whiny bitch mother need to understand a few things."

She wanted none of his lessons. Only feet away, Nem's mother cried and called his name. Nem's torso twisted and turned in his grip as she tried in desperation to release her arm. Her free fist beat at him as she kicked out to throw him off balance. A sharp pain in her wrist and shoulder seized her. But she couldn't fight him; with little effort he held her away from his body. With his other hand he yanked her useless, blunt weapon from her. Now she was defenseless.

"Didn't your mom tell you, you dumb kid, don't play with scissors?"

Alan waved them before her face, taunting her. She thought if she didn't escape soon he'd kill her, so she clawed at him like a cat.

He dropped the scissors to grab her other hand. His grip threatened to break her wrist. Jagged pain shot up her arm as she felt the tension build in her bones. Any moment she expected to hear a snap, her limb nothing more than a small twig.

An animal sound came from behind him. A frightening wail that stopped her heart.

"No-o-ooo!"

Alan yelled. "What the fuck?" It came out like a roar, an angry, monster scowl transformed his face.

"Mooommm," she screamed, as Alan dropped her. In an instant, she scooted backward on her butt to rest beside her bed, her gaze never leaving the pair. Her heart smashing against her ribs.

He turned from Nem to face her mother, who now beat at his chest as if breaking down a wall. In his back, embedded to the hilt was a knife; the one her mom used to peel potatoes.