Chapter 1 They were coming. This time I was sure of it. If only Dad could come home from work early. Maybe I could call him. That would be too dangerous. They would hear before Dad picked up the phone and they would get me. Not a good route. I could hide in the closet. No. I would finish them once and for all. I dropped the history homework that I had been doing before I saw their black pickup park in the neighbor's yard. I walked into my room and found what I was looking for. A sleek black crossbow and arrows. Dad's crossbow and arrows. He said that they were to be used only in an emergency and this definitely was one. I walked downstairs making no sound. I stood fifteen feet away from the door and notched the arrow onto the string. I aimed for the doorknob. I knew that I wouldn't miss. The door creaked open.