Chapter 9 Carl Returned

• Regrettably, my momentary relief dissipated as soon as I unlocked the door and took a step inside. A cold, wet hand gripped tightly around my ankle, sending a shiver down my spine and causing goosebumps to erupt on my skin.
• In the doorway, my body froze, legs awkwardly positioned with one foot inside the room and the other outside, ensnared by the grip of an unknown man. Fear paralyzed me, and I dared not look back to identify the intruder. Sweat streamed down my face, as if a bucket of water had been dumped over my head.
• Desperation urged me to push against the slippery hold on my ankle, but my attempts to break free proved futile. A voice, hauntingly familiar, whispered, "Bella, don’t go. I need you."