Nathaniel's  POV: 

  I  took my dog out, then fed her an early dinner.

  I  took her out again once she finished eating.

  I put her in her crate afterward.

 I saw the glare she gave me.

   I  left the house and locked the door.

    I drove back to the Bougerious.

    I saw a familiar green van out front.

    Great, I thought the monster is back.

    I  sat in my car.

   "Why did I come here again?" I asked myself.

      I  waited for ten minutes.

     I heard someone shout.

     I was sure it was Chole.

      I  got out of the car without a word.

      I   climbed into the shrubs outside.

       Whoa, that was a close call, I thought when I heard a door slam.

        I heard Jeff call out, "Chole, come out wherever you are. You cannot hide from me forever."

         I  felt the fear as it crept up behind me.

         I came out of my hiding spot.

        I climbed up the tree outside Chole's window.

       I breathed a sigh of relief when I did not fall out.

       Well, so far, so good.

       I  climbed higher.

       I saw Jeff with a weapon behind his back. It was hard to make out what kind.

      As he pulled it out, I saw the sharp edges of the knife.

      I thought not on my watch Jeff.

       I pulled out the measuring tape. Now that I mention it, I was not sure why I brought it with me.

       I  used it to smash the window in.

       I cringed as it made a loud shatter noise.

     I climbed inside the room.

    I could only hope the mayor heard the glass break and dialed for help.

      I  charged at Jeff from behind before he could turn around.

     I heard him  as he  hollered," Come out now."

     I could not blame either of them for staying hidden.

    I grabbed ahold of him.

   I struggled to get the knife away from this madman.

  I had no doubts in my mind when it came to his intentions.

  As I  fought with him, I  heard Chole yell, "Stop it, Jeff!  Let us talk about this like reasonable people!"

     I  felt Jeff get lose enough to run towards the closet.  

    I was sure that is where Chole and Sarah were.

    I was not about to let him kill them.

    I picked up a chair and threw it at him.

    I missed.

    I felt the pain ooze from the knife wound to my left leg.

   I passed out as he said, "Ha, too bad, you lose!  I always win!"

   An hour later, I came too in the hospital with my leg all bandaged up.

  "Doctor, tell me, Chole, and Sarah are they alive?"

    I saw the amused look on his face.

    "Why do not you ask them yourself?"  This was all he said.

     I looked up in surprise when I saw Chole, Sarah, and the mayor.

      "Nathaniel, you are a bright, young man.  Thanks for saving them."

     I  nodded my head. I was too stunned for words.

     I  hugged Chole as she stood closer to me.

    I  could see the relief in her eyes as she spoke to me.

    "Nathaniel, Jeff always was bad news.  I am so sorry it took me so long to notice."

     I  smiled.

     I was just glad she and Sarah were okay.

     At that moment, it was all that mattered to me.  Maybe, even more than my own life.

      "Chole, you know I would do anything for you."

        I  reached up and kissed her cheek.

      I pulled away from embarrassment when I heard Sarah and Mayor Andre Bougerious cheers.

      I   blushed. I did not know why I reacted the way I had.

      It was not as if she knew how I felt.  I mean, she had just come out of an abusive dating relationship.

     Goodness, my timing was rather bad.

    Find out more in Chapter 10

   Until then, bye, bye little owlets!

   -Summer out!

Chapter Published: July 1, 2021

  Edits made:  July 13, 2021