~Abuse~

Chapter 137

Erin and Jay lay sleeping in their bed, while Nadia was sound asleep in her cot, the wind gently blowing outside.

In Cassie's bedroom, Cassie was jolted awake by a loud bang, which frightened her.

She glanced at Ashlyn and saw she was still sleeping, thumb in mouth and toy truck clutched in her tiny hand.

"Just a dream," Cassie murmured to herself.

She lay down again and drifted back to sleep.

The banging noises grew louder, and soon, a robber climbed into the apartment.

Removing his hat, the intruder revealed himself to be Alan!

Alan surveyed the room and accidentally toppled a lamp.

In Erin and Jay's bedroom, the couple was awakened by the sound of clattering.

Erin switched on her lamp and faced Jay.

"Did you hear that?" she inquired.

Jay nodded, retrieving his gun.

"Stay here," he whispered to Erin.

Despite his warning, Erin rose from the bed.

"Erin, I mean it! Stay here!" Jay insisted.

Reluctantly, Erin returned to bed and took her own gun.

Once Jay had left the room, Erin pulled Nadia close to her.

Gun at the ready, Jay cautiously made his way down the stairs.

Reaching the top of the stairs, Jay caught sight of the intruder stuffing valuables into a bag.

"HEY!" He yelled.

Alan turned to see his stepson.

"Put the bag down. Now..." Jay's voice was a low whisper.

Alan remained defiant, locking eyes with Jay.

"I MEAN IT! PUT THE BAG DOWN!" Jay's shout echoed.

Reluctantly. Alan set the bag down and reached for his pepper spray.

He aimed at Jay's eyes, but Jay evaded and seized Alan's arm.

"Get out! I have three kids asleep upstairs, and my wife has a gun. We're both cops," Jay asserted.

Alan, in a desperate move, tripped Jay, causing him to fall and twist his ankle.

"Ugh!" Jay winced in pain.

He rose and forced Alan out of the apartment.

"GET OUT!" He commanded.

With the door slammed shut, Jay limped back upstairs.

Jay reached the upper floor and found that everyone was already awake.

"Cassie asked with concern, "We heard shouting! Is everything all right?""

Jay paused for a moment, taking a deep breath and leaning against the wall.

"Yeah... How about you guys head downstairs to watch a movie?" Jay suggested.

Cassie agreed, cradling a drowsy Ashlyn in her arms.

"What went on down there?" Erin inquired.

Jay exhaled deeply and hobbled to the bedroom.

"I attempted to stop the intruder. He caught me off guard, and I ended up twisting my ankle," Jay winced.

Erin assisted Jay onto the bed and gently removed his sock and slipper.