Zara's POV

BANG

I jolt away, my heart racing with anxiety.

What the hell was that?

My room was pitch black so I couldn't see anything other than the moon shining through my curtains. I look over and see my alarm clock read 11:25.

Mom and dad should be asleep by now.

I hesitantly tore the covers off my body, the breeze hitting my bare legs. I switch the lamp by my bed on before walking over and opening my door.

The hallway was pitch black, as I expected. I tip toe quickly down the hall to where my parents slept. I quietly push the door open slightly so I could peek in and I find both of my parents sleeping soundly, my father's arm around my mother's waist.

If that bang didn't come from them, then what was that?

At that thought, my heart started to beat faster.

What if someone is breaking into our house to try and steal our stuff or something?

I quietly walk back into my room and grab the baseball bat I kept in the corner by my bed.

You know, for times exactly like this.

I grip the bat with both of my hands, holding it up behind my left shoulder so I can swing right away if someone attacks me. I slowly walk down the stairs, trying my best to hold my breath through my racing heart.

The living room was pitch black so it was hard to see where I was going. Through memory, I tried to guide myself though my living room, squinting my eyes to see if anything looked suspicious.  I run my hand up and down the wall until it bumped into something cold. I flipped the switch and the lights came on.

Everything still seemed to be in the same place as it was when I went to bed this evening.

Okay, what if someone homeless broke in and was trying to raid our fridge?

I grip the bat tighter as I begin to move towards the kitchen. There was a slight glow in the kitchen since the living room light was already on. A shiver went down my spine and I noticed the kitchen door was wide open.

What th-

Suddenly, I felt a soft fabric be pressed against my mouth and I dropped the bat. My body fell back and pressed against a broad torso, whose arm wrapped around my neck so their elbow was right under my chin.

My stomach turned in fear and I took a breath in, trying to get air as their arm tightened around my neck. A chemically smell filled my nose and soon after, my head went dizzy.

It wasn't long before my eyes got too heavy to hold open, so I closed them and let sleep take over.

~~~

Finn's POV

My head throbbed as I peeled my eyes open, the light hanging about me making my head start to hurt more.

I placed my hands on the floor beside me, lifting myself up. Pain shot through my stomach and my tailbone ached. I winced and swore under my breath.

I got a shot of adrenaline as the memories started to flood back into my head. Pushing through the pain I lift myself up onto my feet and sprint towards the closet door that was only a few feet away.

I quickly unlock the door and swing it open, finding my baby sister lying on the floor with her eyes closed. I stood still and watched her and let out a relieved breath when I saw her chest rise and fall slowly.

"Lucy." I whisper, bending over to shake her shoulder.

She groaned but opened her eyes. She looked around until her eyes settled on me. "What-" She started, but cut herself off. "Oh God, Finn. Are you okay?"

She reached her hand up to touch my bruised forehead and I winced. She quickly took her hand  back. "Sorry."

"It's fine. Are you okay?" I shake my head, running my hands through her hair, checking her face for any bruises or cuts.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just fell asleep after a while. What happened?"

"He must have knocked me out." I tell her and she nods her head. "We need to go, come on."

"Where are we going?" She asked as she took my hand and I pulled her up to her feet.

"Zara's house." I lead her down the hall and to the stairs.

"Wait, that girl you brought home that one time? She seems nice."

"She is, which is why I don't know what he wants with her." I grab the keys from the counter and run out the front door.

The sun was peeking out from the horizon, making the sky look like pink cotton candy. My uncle's truck was missing from the driveway and my stomach churned in fear.

I run down the driveway and the front door to my jeep and turn back to my sister, who was still standing at the front door with her eyebrows furrowed towards me.

"Come on! What are you waiting for?" I yell and she shakes her head, running towards the car.

~~~

A.N~

Alright, let me explain:

The book is coming to an end soon and I have no plans for another one in this story line, so just a fair warning, we'll be saying goodbye to these characters soon. ;(

And because this is supposed to be the most climactic part of the novel, I'm kinda of doubting the way I'm writing it so I keep hesitating to upload.

Secondly, I have never been so stressed in my life.

I turn 16 next week which means I have my permit test like, the next day and in order for me to even get behind a steering wheel I need insurance which means I need a job. And I have really bad social anxiety so I'm stressing over that and I'm failing school and apparently junior year is supposed to be the hardest so I don't know how I'm going to balance work and school next year.

Sorry about rambling, I just didn't expect being 16 to be so hard. Dx

Next update will be on my birthday.

Chapter 40 is written and published. Hope you all enjoyed! <3

Questions:

-What do you think will happen next?

-What gives you the most stress?