Chapter 14
Ryan didn't hesitate. He didn't wait for Arthur to reach the top of the stairs. He charged downward. Using the heavy steel flashlight as a weapon, he swung at Arthur's head. Arthur ducked, slashing the knife upward. The blade caught Ryan's forearm, tearing through his shirt and slicing into his skin. Pain flared hot and sharp, but adrenaline masked the worst of it. Ryan crashed into Arthur, sending them both tumbling down the remaining stairs. They hit the floor hard. The flashlight rolled away into the darkness. Ryan scrambled to his feet, clutching his bleeding arm. Arthur was already up, smiling that awful, empty smile. "You bleed just like the rest of us," Arthur mocked. He lunged again. Ryan side-stepped, grabbing Arthur's wrist and twisting it hard. Arthur grunted but didn't drop the knife. He threw his elbow backward, catching Ryan directly in the jaw. Ryan stumbled, his vision blurring for a second. Arthur kicked him in the chest, sending Ryan crashing back against the wall. "You took my family," Arthur screamed over the thunder. "I'm taking yours!" He turned and began running up the stairs toward the reading room. "No!" Ryan shouted, forcing himself upright and giving chase. Inside the reading room, Emily heard the struggle. She heard the heavy footsteps running toward the door. She stood up, grabbing the only heavy object in the room. A thick, solid wooden bookend from the shelf. She stood beside the door, pressing herself against the wall. She motioned for Ethan to keep the twins in the far corner. The doorknob rattled. Arthur realized it was locked. "Open the door, Emily!" He yelled, banging his fist against the wood. "Open it, or I'll burn this house down with you inside!" When there was no answer, Arthur took a step back and kicked the door near the lock. The wood splintered. He kicked it again. The lock gave way with a loud crack. The door swung open, hitting the wall violently. Arthur stepped into the room, panting heavily. "Where are you..." Before he could finish his sentence, Emily swung the wooden bookend with all her strength. It connected solidly with the side of Arthur's head. The sound was sickeningly loud. Arthur's eyes rolled back. He dropped the knife. He collapsed onto the floor like a puppet with cut strings. He didn't move. Emily stood over him, breathing heavily, the bookend still raised in her shaking hands. Ryan reached the doorway a second later. He saw Arthur unconscious on the floor. He saw Emily standing there, fierce and unyielding. He rushed into the room, pulling her into his arms. "Are you okay?" He breathed, checking her for injuries. "I'm fine," she whispered, dropping the bookend. "The kids?" "We're okay, Dad," Ethan's voice came from the darkness in the corner. Ryan let out a sob of relief. He walked over to the corner, wrapping all three children in a tight hug. Downstairs, the sound of a door being kicked open echoed through the house. "Police!" A voice shouted. "We saw the lights go out!" Ryan stood up, walking to the top of the stairs. "Up here!" He yelled. "We need an ambulance!" "And we have the intruder!" The nightmare was finally over. They had fought the darkness. And they had won.
