Requested by: @Begjnagain
The soft glow of the moon filtered through the bedroom curtains as Taylor lay nestled beside her husband, Travis. The night was peaceful, their home blanketed in the familiar quiet of a late evening. Their lives had been busy, filled with Travis's football games and Taylor's ongoing projects, but tonight they had carved out a small slice of peace for themselves—just the two of them.
Taylor shifted in her sleep, the comforting warmth of Travis beside her allowing her to drift deeper into a calm dream. But in the back of her mind, there was a nagging uneasiness. She couldn't explain it—just a feeling, like something was watching her.
Suddenly, a creaking noise echoed through the hallway.
Taylor's eyes snapped open, her heart immediately pounding. She lay still, trying to figure out if she had truly heard something or if it was just her imagination playing tricks on her. Then it happened again, this time louder, closer.
Her breath hitched in her throat.
"Travis," she whispered urgently, shaking him gently. His body stirred, and he blinked awake, groggy and confused.
"What's going on?" he mumbled, rubbing his eyes.
"I think someone's in the house," Taylor whispered, her voice tense with fear.
Travis immediately shot up, now fully alert. He swung his legs out of bed, reaching for the baseball bat he kept by his side of the bed. "Stay here," he said firmly, his tone protective. Taylor, though terrified, nodded, knowing better than to argue.
But before Travis could even take a step toward the door, a loud crash reverberated from downstairs. The sound sent a shock of fear coursing through Taylor's veins. She clutched the covers tighter, her eyes wide with terror.
Suddenly, before either of them could react, the door to their bedroom flew open, slamming against the wall. Standing in the doorway was a man—a stranger, his face covered by a ski mask, and his eyes locked on Taylor. There was something dark and twisted in the way he stared at her.
Travis moved like a flash of lightning, charging toward the intruder, but the man was faster than they had anticipated. Before Travis could swing the bat, the man lunged toward Taylor, grabbing her wrist with a vicious yank.
Taylor screamed, the sound high-pitched and terrified, as the man dragged her toward the hallway. She thrashed in his grip, trying to break free, but his hold was unyielding. Travis was on him in an instant, the bat raised and ready to strike, but the stalker shoved Taylor between them, using her as a shield.
"Let her go!" Travis roared, his voice filled with fury and desperation. He took a step forward, but the stalker's hand was now gripping a knife he had pulled from his jacket.
"Stay back!" the man spat, holding the blade dangerously close to Taylor's throat. "Or she dies."
Taylor's heart hammered wildly in her chest as she tried to pull away from him, but the cold steel of the knife pressed against her skin. Panic surged through her, her mind racing, desperate to find a way out of this nightmare.
Travis froze, his hands trembling as he lowered the bat slightly. "Please," he pleaded, his voice soft but filled with barely contained rage. "Don't hurt her."
The stalker smirked beneath his mask, his eyes gleaming with malice. "She's coming with me," he said coldly, his grip tightening on Taylor's arm.
"No!" Travis shouted, but before he could move, the man yanked Taylor toward the stairs, pulling her with him. Taylor screamed again, her body stumbling as she fought to escape, but the stalker was relentless.
