Chapter 7 - The Final Retreat

The upstairs hallway seemed to stretch on forever, a terrifying gauntlet of closed doors and dark shadows. Mateo could hear Sofía’s ragged, panicked breathing as she ran ahead of him. The nursery was at the very end of the hall, the only room with an interior lock heavy enough to withstand a serious assault.

"Faster, Sofi!" Mateo urged, glancing back at the top of the stairs. Rebeca crested the landing, the meat tenderizer held tightly in her right fist. Her face was flushed, her makeup smeared, completely unhinged from reality. She began to march down the hall, her high heels striking the floorboards like the steady ticking of a deadly clock.

Sofía reached the nursery door and twisted the brass knob, throwing her small body into the room. Mateo dove in right behind her. He grabbed the edge of the heavy wooden door and slammed it shut, instantly reaching up with shaking fingers to turn the deadbolt.

Click.

The lock engaged just a fraction of a second before a massive, violent impact shook the door frame. Rebeca had thrown her entire weight against the wood from the outside.

"Open this door!" Rebeca screamed, her voice muffled but terrifyingly close. "Open it right now, you little rats!"

Sofía scrambled backward, hiding behind Mateo. The little girl could barely catch her breath, her small chest heaving with violent, choking sobs.

Mateo was terrified. His hands were shaking so violently he could barely clench them into fists. He looked around the nursery. The room was decorated with pastel colors, soft stuffed animals, and a beautiful wooden crib that used to be his. It was a room designed for peace and safety, and it was currently under siege.

BANG.

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The heavy steel tool crashed against the wooden door, splintering the outer panel. Rebeca was trying to smash her way through the lock.

Mateo knew the wood wouldn't hold forever. He backed away from the door, pushing Sofía deeper into the room, positioning himself directly between his little sister and the splintering entryway. He was only a child, but in that moment, the weight of the entire world rested on his narrow shoulders. He swallowed his terror, planted his feet firmly on the carpet, and prepared to fight a monster.