Chapter 7 - Helen’s Courage
Back at the house, the situation had escalated from terrifying to deadly. After the brick came through the window, two men had kicked in the back door.
Chloe grabbed a heavy cast-iron skillet from the kitchen, shoving Helen and Leo toward the basement door. “Go! Lock yourselves in!”
“I am not leaving you!” Helen screamed, her maternal instincts completely taking over. The quiet, submissive housewife was gone, replaced by a lioness protecting her pride.
The first intruder entered the kitchen, pulling a knife. Before he could speak, Chloe swung the skillet with devastating force, catching the man flush in the jaw. He went down hard, unconscious.
But the second man grabbed Chloe from behind, throwing her brutally into the kitchen island. She gasped for air as he pinned her down.
“Mom!” Leo screamed.
Helen didn't hesitate. She grabbed the kettle of boiling water she had been preparing for tea and hurled the scalding liquid directly into the attacker’s face. The man shrieked in agony, dropping Chloe and clutching his blistering skin.
Helen grabbed an umbrella from the stand by the door and cracked it over the man’s head, knocking him out cold.
Panting, terrified, the three of them huddled together in the kitchen, surrounded by broken glass and groaning men.
Just then, the front door burst open. Chloe raised the skillet again, ready to fight to the death.
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But it was Arthur. He was covered in blood and drywall dust, clutching a plastic box to his chest, looking like a soldier returning from war. Behind him walked a man in a trench coat, holding a badge.
“It’s over, Chloe,” Arthur gasped, falling into his daughter's arms. “It’s over.”
