Learning to Let Them In | Fourtris

Chapter 36

Tris' POV

The adrenaline rushes through my body as I sprint towards home. I can hear him behind me a little ways and speed up even more. After what seems like forever, I reach home. I yank open the door and quickly slam it behind me, locking it. I shakily take a few steps back and stare. This can't be happening. How did Eric even find me?!

I quickly snap back into action and run around the house, closing every curtain, every blind, and locking every possible door and window. I push a heavy wooden chair up against the front door and plan on putting more stuff in front of it, but I don't have enough time. He's already here.

"Oh, Beatricccccccccccccce. I know you're in thereeeeeeeee," he sings.

I shrill as I come to terms with the present. This is happening. This is real. Eric is here.

"You can either let me in and we'll do this the easy way, or I'll let myself in and we'll do this the hard way. You decide."

I obviously don't listen to him; instead, I think. Where do I go? What do I do?

I immediately think of the hallway panel, but then I realize that it takes too long to open and I can't take any chances. If he would see me, there would be nowhere for me to run to.

I hurriedly try to think of other secret places in my house, but nothing comes to mind. So what can I do?

Call 911. That's what you should do.

I put my hands in the pocket of my coat and curse as I realize it's up in my room. We don't have a home phone, so I can't use it.

My heart thumps faster and harder at the realization that the only way I can get to my phone is to be trapped in a room with a bed, an unlockable door, and no weapons...with Eric...alone.

I'm going to have to take that risk, though. What else can I do?

I quickly run to the kitchen and grab a knife. If nothing else, at least I'll have this. My hands shake as I grab it. I quickly take off my shoes and drop them there before running upstairs as quietly as possible. As I open my room door, I hear the front door open and the chair being scooted away. I only have about a minute to find my phone before he finds me.

I start searching. Why couldn't I have just put it in my pocket when I was done talking to Caleb instead of setting it someplace I don't remember?

I look for what seems like forever when I know that realistically, it was probably only 30 seconds. And then I see it.

Then, out of all the worst case scenarios I've thought of while I'm searching for my phone, the worst one happens.

As I'm reaching for my phone, a glass cup on my dresser falls and shatters. It feels as if time stops for a moment. But then it picks back up as his voice rings throughout the house.

"Oh, Beatrice! I heard that!"

I unlock my phone and do the only thing I have time for; I hit the record button on the camera, set it upright against my nightstand so it captures the door area, and pray that it will come in handy later. I lock my phone so Eric can't stop it from recording if he happens to notice it.

I start to hyperventilate as I look for a place to hide. I immediately think of my closet, but then remember that whenever people hide in closets in the movies they're always caught. And although they may not be real, it's still enough to get me searching for another place to hide.

A closet? C'mon, Tris. You should've known it would be too obvious.

In a split second, I dive into my bathroom and shut the door, locking it behind me. I stand against the opposite wall with my knife outstretched, mentally preparing myself for the future. I close my eyes and say a silent prayer. Hopefully if there's someone out there to hear it, they'll help me.