22

Victoria

"Baby shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo.

Baby shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo.

Baby shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo.

Baby shark!"

Antonio and I sang. At first, I found that song extremely annoying, but Antonio singing it sounded cute. When he begged me to sing with him, I couldn't refuse.

"Mommy shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo.

Mommy shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo.

Mommy shark, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo, doo.

Mommy shark!"

I began to laugh as Antonio continued to sing. He looked so cute as he got lost in the song. I had just picked him up from school, and we were heading home. When I parked, I noticed a black van across the street; I immediately felt uneasy.

I got out of the car and quickly took Antonio inside. Once inside, I closed the blinds and grabbed my computer to look at the security footage from the camera I set up outside my front door. The black van had parked just after I left and stayed across the street all day.

Something's not right.

"Mommy! I'm hungry!" Antonio ran up to me. "Can I have chicken nuggets?"

Crap! I forgot to take the meat out of the freezer to defrost.

"Antonio, we can't go outside right now. How about Ravioli?"

"Okay."

"Go set up the table."

I left my computer open on the coffee table as I walked into the kitchen and took a meat pack out of the freezer. Antonio had already rinsed two cans of Chef Boyardee ravioli. I grabbed two bowls and emptied the can contents into them. Antonio and I sat to eat after microwaving the ravioli and setting the bowls on the table.

"Mommy, can you read me a book?"

I smiled at Antonio and said, "of course. Finish your ravioli first."

"Okay, mommy."

After we finished eating, I washed the dishes and glanced outside. It had gotten dark; I checked my computer and saw some movement in the van. The feeling in my gut from earlier became stronger.

"Mommy, I'm ready," Antonio said as he sat beside me with a book.

I turned to look at Antonio and then back at the computer.

"I'm sorry, sweetie. Change of plans."

I picked up Antonio and walked over to a small hiding spot in my bedroom closet that could lock from the inside. I opened the door and sat Antonio inside. I grabbed the emergency bag and took out my tri-dagger knife. I zipped the bag back up and set it next to Antonio.

"You know the drill," I said. "What's the password?"

"Mac n' Cheese!"

"Good boy."

I kissed Antonio on the forehead and closed the door. I listened for the sound of Antonio turning the lock before closing my closet door and walking away.

I put a pan on the stove and made sure the knives were tucked away but where I could easily reach them. I looked at my computer one last time and saw someone getting out of the van. I quickly put my computer away and turned off the lights as I hid around the corner.

A few seconds later, the doorbell rang. My heart began pounding when the doorbell rang a second time. The doorbell rang one last time, and a crashing sound could be heard. I stayed in my spot as the person stepped into the living room. When the person came closer, I grabbed my knife. Once they were close enough, I stepped out and stabbed them in the shoulder blade. The man let out a shout of pain and fell to the ground. The stab wound was horrific.

"What do you want?" I asked, my knife still firmly in my hand.

"Michael's attention."

"He's in prison!"

The man chuckled darkly, "Oh, no. Didn't you see the news? He broke out last night."

My eyes grew wide. I shouldn't have turned off the tv last night; Antonio and I could've been long gone.

I am so dead.

I could hear someone behind me. I turned around and saw another masked man stepping through the doorway. I turned around to run to the kitchen, but the man lying on the floor grabbed my ankle, making me fall. My knife fell out of my hand. I reached out to grab it, but the second man walked over and picked it up; he chuckled darkly.

"What is a pretty girl like you doing with such a dangerous weapon?"

The first man let go of my ankle, and the second man yanked me up by my arm.

"Maybe we should have some fun with you before Michael gets here."

I wasn't too far from the kitchen, so I kicked the man in the crotch, causing him to let go of me and hunch over in pain. I ran to the kitchen and grabbed the pan on the stove. When I turned around, both men were stumbling toward me; I hit them in the head with the pan, causing them to fall to the floor, unconscious.

I looked around the floor for my knife. Once I found it, I cleaned it, put it on my waistband, and ran into my room and closet.

"Antonio! Do you want Mac n' cheese?"

I could hear the small door unlock and see Antonio crawl out. I grabbed the emergency bag, made sure my knife was put away, picked up Antonio, and walked out. I was tempted to take my car, but only God knows if anyone else knew what car I drove or my license plate number. It wasn't too dark outside, so I began walking.

A sudden thought hit me that made me stop in my tracks. I took out my pocket knife, walked to the van, and stabbed each tire. I turned around and continued to walk away.

"Mommy?" Antonio asked.

"Yes, sweetie?"

"Why did you do that?"

I should've made him close his eyes.

"I'll explain later."

"Okay."

I kissed Antonio on his head and kept walking.