Her hands shook as she swung it in front of her. The beam of light bounced off the walls in frightening arrays of fragmented streams, causing the shadows to loom like monsters ready to pounce. "Who's there?" she demanded over her choking beating heart. Brona sensed movement and she swung the torch toward the shadow. The lights overhead came on and she caught a glimpse of someone fleeing toward her bedroom. The person was too tall to be Tara. She grabbed for the phone, sitting on the desk, bringing the receiver to her ear. There was no dial tone. Bloomin' perfect! The storm must have knocked out the lines. With shaking hands, she placed the phone back in its cradle. She stared down the hall, listening, watching and waiting for the intruder to make a move. If I go now, I could make it down the stairs. I could be out of the house before the intruder realizes I'm even here. For a second, she almost took her advice, but the niggling guilt overrode her fear. What am I thinking? I can't leave without Tara.
