Page 31 of Savagely Scarred

I hear shuffling and then clacking on a keyboard.

“You’re doing this in broad daylight? Doesn’t seem so smart.”

A muscle in my jaw ticks. If he wasn’t so good at what he does, I would have slaughtered him in prison and extended my sentence.

“No. This is just a trial run.”

“What about the dog?”

“They take it with them to work,” I snap. “Let me worry with the logistics.”

“Okay. I’m ready.”

“Do you have the camera feeds up?”

“Yes.”

“Backyard. Can you see me?”

He hums over the line and goes silent for a minute before answering.

“No. Where the fuck are you?”

Perfect.

The camera for the back of the property is on the opposite side of the house that the pond is on. It can still capture the expanse of the yard, but the angle blocks me behind the giant willow tree.

“The less you know the better. How much time can you get me?”

“Two minutes until the security company gets it back online. That’s if they have competent staff.”

I run through my plan in my head, taking into account the distance from the fence to the house.

“Should be plenty of time. Text me when I’m good.”

I end the call and pull up the timer on my phone, setting it for two minutes. As soon as the message comes through, I hit start and pocket it. Gripping onto the branch in front of me, I scoot forward until I pass the top of the fence.

Spearing myself is not the way I want to go out.

I lower my body before dropping to the lawn. Running toward the closest window, my boots dig into the ground. Not only did my guy disable the security system, but he also disengaged the locks.

I grab onto the bottom edge of the window and attempt to open it. I’m met with resistance and reach into my back pocket for the small pry bar. Once it’s wedged under, I push down and relief washes over me when I hear the cracking sound of it giving way. I repocket the tool and open the window the rest of the way.

I hoist myself up and hover there for a second, scanning the floor below to make sure I’m not going to crash into anything. When I see it’s clear, I throw my leg inside and pull my body the rest of the way inside.

My feet thud on the wooden floor and I stand to my full height. Spinning back around, I quickly close the window behind me before the locks re-engage.

I turn around and find myself in the dining room. An open layout with a clear view of the kitchen. It’s almost identical to the one in her father’s house.

How sentimental.

Beeping emerges from the pocket of my jeans, signaling the end of the timer.

A slow, sinister smile spreads across my face.

The park is bustling with activity. Fridays are always busier than the other days of the week, especially when the weather is nice.

The sun is shining.