The Chilling Protector

Cleo heard that weak yet thrilled voice and immediately jumped out of the car.

The door to the room stood wide open. Gripping a kitchen knife, Jed spotted Maura crawling desperately toward the doorway.

The two girls' elongated shadows stretched dramatically across the low threshold, cast by the harsh glare of the headlights.

As Cleo saw Maura's battered face, bruised and swollen, her tears couldn'