A week has passed since Tessa found out what happened to the Harrisons and her brother, Mark. She's still grieving over his death, crying over the future they could have had together. Tessa's currently sleeping in my bed, my arms are wrapped around her while Mallory is sleeping in the guest room.

KNOCK.

KNOCK.

KNOCK.

Tessa starts to wake up. "I think someone is at the door."

I want to leave it alone; we've gotten enough bad news already. "Ignore it."

KNOCK.

KNOCK.

KNOCK.

The knocking persists anyway, and I groan. "I'll go answer it." I get up and throw on some clothes, heading downstairs. I crack open the front door and see a familiar face. It's the man from the gas station, I bumped into him a few days ago. "Um...what are you doing here?"

"Is she home?"

"Who are you talking about?"

"Tessa.... lives here. Is she home?"

I'm starting to realize that this might be Hunter. He knows that she lives here, that's not good. But maybe if I distract him, I can give myself enough time to call for help. "No one by that name lives here."

"Do you think I'm stupid?"

"I think you're confused and a little drunk," I say and cross my arms.

He looks me up and down, "I must be at the wrong house. Sorry, for bothering you." He says and walks away.

Closing the door, I run into the kitchen looking for a phone. I turn around when Hunter kicks down the door. "I know she's here! Where is she?" He storms into the living room.

"I don't know who you're talking about! Now get out before I call the cops!"

He pulls out a gun from his jacket. "Where is she? I won't ask again."

"Let's be civil about this."

"Okay, then hand me girl and no one has to get hurt."

"I can't do that."

"Then you're a dead man." He's about to pull the trigger when someone comes downstairs.

"Babe? What's going on?" Tessa walks down the steps with Mallory right behind her. "Mallory said she heard strange noises coming from downstairs. Are you okay?"

Not them, anyone but them. Why did my family have to leave for the rodeo today of all days? "Go back upstairs and call the cops!"

Hunter charges at me, knocking me down to the floor. He smiles when he sees Tessa, frozen in fear. "Who is this angel?" He reaches out to touch Mallory."

"Mommy, I'm scared." She cowers behind Tessa.

"Shh...baby, just stay behind mommy."

"Is she mine?"

"No, and she never will be," Tessa speaks with venom in her words.

"You always know how to push my buttons."

"Too bad I never found the off button."

"Awe, I love it when you get sassy. It's so cute when you try to stand up to me." He steps closer, leaning forward. "It seems to me that you forgot your place."

She whispers. "And you forgot to wear deodorant."

SMACK!

I see red when he slaps her across the face. Seeing him lay a hand on her made something inside of me snap. I get up and tackle Hunter to the ground, knocking the gun out of his hand. I get a couple of punches in when I see him reaching for something shiny in his pocket. I groan out in pain when I look down to see a knife pocking out of my chest. He pulls it out and I roll over on the ground.

"Matt!" Tessa runs over and leans down, assessing my wounds. "Matt...stay with me, please....Matt don't close your eyes yet."

I reach out for her, but my vision starts going blurry. "Is...is it bad?"

"You're going to be okay." She cups my face in her blood-stained hands. "You're okay, you're going to be okay, you hear me?"

"Did.... you call the cops?"

"I did when I was upstairs, they are going to be any minute now."

"Too bad they won't get here in time." Hunter stands up and goes to stab Tessa with the knife.

"Mommy!" Mallory yells and in a quick flash, picks up the gun that was lying on the ground.

"Sweetie, you don't want to hurt me, do you?" Hunter says. "I'm your dad."

"You're not my daddy!"

"I said, put it down!" He goes to take it out of her hand, and she pulls the trigger, shooting him right in the head.

Tessa runs over and takes the gun from her daughter, throwing it in the trash can. "Matt? Are you still with me?"

"I'm right here, Sparky."

The police finally arrived, and I was laid out on a stretcher. Tessa tries to get into the ambulance, but Officer Brown stops her. "Wait, what's going on?"

"Matt! I'll be there, I promise!" She huffs at the cop.

"Tessa?" My vision goes out of focus as a mask is placed over my face. "Tessa, don't go."

I can hear them speaking. "You have to come down to the station, it's an emergency."

"But he could die." Tessa pleads.

"So could you if you don't come with us."

"Please, I need to be with him."

"You can say your goodbyes tomorrow."

Goodbye? Is she leaving me? Are they taking her somewhere?

"What happened?" Tessa asks.

The last thing I hear before I completely black out is, "Mrs. Harrison escaped...and she's coming for you."

Everything goes black and when I wake up, blinding white lights are hovering above me. "Am I dead?"

"Nope." Turning over to my left, I see a nurse checking my vitals. "Everything looks good. Looks like the surgery was a success."

"Surgery?"

"You had a pretty big stab wound. But don't worry, we patched you up nice and good. You'll need to be on bed rest for a couple of weeks. We've been in contact with your family, and they are outside in the waiting room."

"Wait, what about Tessa?"

"Who is Tessa?"

"Did...she leave? Is she not here?"

"I don't know what you're talking about sir...but an officer did hand me this note. Said it was urgent and that I should give it to you?"

I take paper and unfold it, recognizing Tessa's handwriting.

Dear Matt,

By the time you read this, I'll be gone. When they were taking you to the hospital, I wanted to go with you. Then Officer Brown told me that something terrible happened. Mrs. Harrison escaped, but she was still in contact with Hunter. She knows everything. She knows where I've been staying and about us. They found a safe house for me and Mallory, with new names and a fresh start. I wish I could have told you or taken you with me...but it's not safe for either one of us. I'm not dragging you into this mess, not anymore. Mrs. Harrison is after me and me alone. Don't worry, though I asked Officer Brown if she would watch over the farmhouse while I'm gone. Please believe me when I say that isn't an easy decision to make. I've always wanted the perfect family, the perfect boyfriend, the perfect life. I finally got my wish, and it was everything to me. You mean everything to me. I love you so much, Matt, more than words or letters could say. This isn't a goodbye, but an invitation to come find me when you're ready.

-With all my heart, Sparky.