But I don’t stop. I run down the hallway and head for the front door, gasping when I find it locked. “You unlock that door and there will be consequences,” he warns. I startle at his proximity. There’s not enough time to unlock the deadbolt, knob, and chain. He’s too close. Sunroom. It has a back door that leads outside. I turn, and out of the corner of my eye, I see my shadow round the corner of the entranceway to the hallway I came from. I bolt through the living room, then the kitchen, and towards the door that leads into the backside of the hallway. Praying that he didn’t stay in the hallway, I fling open the door to find it empty. At least within five feet of me, I can’t see past the darkness beyond that. Heading straight for the sunroom, I barrel through the door and find him already there, leaning against the door that I need to escape out of. I skid on my feet, halting my momentum before I crash right into his waiting arms. I back up, chest heaving and mind racing. He tsks. “You’re very predictable, little mouse. We're going to have to work on that.” I just stand there, frozen in place as I process the fact that I won’t be able to get out of this house. He’s incredibly fast, but the scariest part is that I didn’t hear a single fucking footstep from him. I sounded like an elephant and he was quieter than a mouse. “You’re not touching me,” I hiss, my voice wobbly and rife with unshed tears. “A deal is a deal, little mouse.” He looks up at the night sky. “It is beautiful in here. I think it’s only fitting that the punishment occurs here, don’t you think? It feels like we’ve come full circle.” Growling, I finally force my body into action and run right back down the hallway towards the stairs. Maybe I can find a spot to hide again. Somewhere he won’t find me this time. My mind turns over every possibility as I swing myself around the banister and charge up the steps. A whisper of wind brushes against the back of my thighs, and when I glance behind me, I see him right on my heels. I let loose another scream, quickening my steps. I make it up the stairs and barrel down the hallway, my desperation and pure panic clouding my head. I can’t think, I can only act. I’m halfway down the hallway before a steel arm bands around my waist and lifts me up. “NO!” I scream, kicking at air as I fight his hold.