Chapter 18 - The Final StandMarcus raised the iron poker, taking a slow step toward us.
I looked around the room in a panic. There was no weapon in reach. The heavy glass lamp on the nightstand was too far away. My phone was downstairs. We were cornered.
"Stay back, Marcus," I warned, my voice shaking with adrenaline.
"Sorry, Graham. Tell the afterlife it’s a lonely place," Marcus sneered, lunging forward with the poker raised high.
Before he could reach us, Elena moved with terrifying speed. She didn't run away; she grabbed the heavy wooden chair from the vanity table and hurled it directly into Marcus's knees.
Marcus shrieked as his legs buckled beneath him. He crashed hard onto the hardwood floor, the iron poker flying out of his hand and sliding across the carpet.
Elena didn't hesitate. She threw herself on top of him, pinning his arms down with the desperation of a cornered animal. "Graham, grab Maisie and get out of the house! Call the police! Now!"
"I'm not leaving you here!" I yelled.
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"Go!" Elena screamed, tears streaming down her face as Marcus struggled fiercely beneath her, trying to wrap his hands around her neck. "This is the only way I can make it right!"
I grabbed Maisie, lifting her into my arms, and bolted out the side door onto the master balcony, scrambling down the metal fire escape ladder just as the wail of police sirens began to echo up the street.
