The next shot rang out and hit the stone columns on his porch. He knew he just had to wait them out. He wanted to rush into the yard, take down the bastards daring to shoot at his home, but he couldn't leave Bree. That was probably what they were hoping for.
Chad moved to the hallway as more bullets besieged the house. He listened for several moments, noticing a pattern to the shots. They were ringing out exactly two minutes apart. He waited, counting, and sure enough, the next shot came right on time.
As soon as the shot went off, he moved back toward the window and peaked into his yard. He saw the glint of metal from the trees near his barn. There was a slight movement, then exactly two minutes later, another shot rang out. Holy Hell! It wasn't a person firing. They had some sort of device set up. He needed to get to Bree.
He heard glass shattering in one of the back bedrooms and he immediately ran for that area. The gun was nothing but a diversion to keep him busy. The stalker was coming after her.
Chad's body tensed as he made his way down the hall, looking through each open doorway, before quickly passing by them. He reached the room he'd heard the glass breaking and looked inside. A man wearing a full black mask was looking right at him through the open window. Chad lifted his gun and fired a shot but the man ducked out of the way at the last minute.
He never popped back up and Chad was torn between chasing after him and ending the hunt for Bree, or staying in the house to keep her safe. If the guy had a partner and Chad left the house he'd never forgive himself.
"Chad, it's me," Mark called out as he rushed in through the front door, not even considering his own safety.
"Back here," Chad called, and he heard Mark's footsteps echoing down the hallway as he ran through the dark house.
"Where is he?" Mark demanded, his own weapon drawn.
"I just fired at him through the window. Bree's in the bathroom, watch her, I'm going after this guy," Chad said as he stepped forward to jump through the window. Mark grabbed his arm.
"The guys are on their way, along with the sheriff. Get some pants on and guard Bree. I'll go after him," Mark said before rushing toward the window.
Chad wanted to argue, but Mark was right. He needed to get some clothes on. He was too vulnerable in nothing but a towel.
"Fine," he grimaced as Mark jumped out the window.
Chad quickly moved into action and rushed to his room, where he threw on his pants, a pair of shoes and gun holster in less than twenty seconds. He didn't bother with a shirt, there was no time. He quickly rushed back to the window Mark had jumped out, and didn't see anything. He wanted to chase after him, but he wouldn't leave Bree.
"Chad," Trenton called. Chad changed directions and ran toward the front door.
"Right here," he answered so they'd know it was him. "Bree's in the bathroom. Knock and tell her who you are before opening the door. I told her to shoot first if anyone tried to enter," Chad warned as he rushed past Trenton and out the front door.
He stayed low to the ground as a shot rang out near his barn. He needed to get out there. He skirted the barn and came up behind the trees, looking in every direction, making sure he wasn't headed into an ambush.
Just as another shot rang out, he rounded the back of the barn and spotted the contraption firing at his house. Chad was filled with rage as he approached the rotating gun. He quickly disarmed it, trying to be careful not to touch too many areas, just in case they were able to pull prints from the weapon. He had a feeling the stalker was smart enough not to leave prints, though.
"Chad, get over here," Mark hollered.
Chad turned toward the sound of Mark's voice and jogged to the front of the house.
"What have you found?" Chad asked.
"I'm going to kill someone," Mark replied. Chad was surprised by his words. Mark was normally the mellowest guy he knew, though Chad knew his best friend could certainly be counted on. He was afraid to know what it was that had gotten him so riled up.
"They left this."
Chad turned to see a bloody doll on his front steps with a sign attached to it.
We got her once, we'll get her again.
"Who are these people," Chad shouted. He quickly calmed himself down. He had to stay strong, he couldn't afford to lose his composure.
***
Bree sat shivering in the bathroom. She heard the men shouting in the hallway. Trenton was there, along with Mark. She didn't know who else. She couldn't make herself move, though. She still clutched the gun in her hand, pointing it toward the door. Fear of any small movement would make her fire the dang thing, but she couldn't force her arms to lower the weapon.
She listened as footsteps ran up and down the hall, doors slammed, and voices shouted. What was going on? Who would want to harm them? Chad hadn't seemed surprised, confusing her even more. Why wouldn't he tell her if something was going on? Would he really be so stupid as to think she couldn't handle the information?