CHAPTER ONE

The sound of a fist pounding against the front door snapped Tori out of her flash back. Fiercely wiping away tears from her eyes she moved to answer the door. Taking a look first to see who it was before undoing the four locks she opened it and said “It’s not a good time right now, Alec...”

“Were you crying?” demanded Alec with a frown creasing between his dark brows. “What’s wrong? Are you okay?”

“I’m...” began Tori but her voice was blocked by the lump which had formed in her throat.

“Shaking. Tori, what is it?” he asked softly this time. He reached out to her but she instinctively took a step back from him. Disappointment flashed in his green eyes but he said nothing about her reaction and placed his hands in his pockets instead.

Alec Harris was no more a threat to her then a house fly but she couldn’t help herself. “It’s just not a good time right now Alec. I’ll talk to you later okay?” Without waiting for an answer Tori closed the door again and re-locked it before turning her back to it and leaning against it.

Outside the rain began to fall harder but it was still a few minutes before the sound of Alec’s truck mingled with it then slowly disappeared.

Feeling miserable and still a little fearful Tori returned to the kitchen and opened another box of her things yet to be put away. When she dropped a plate she broke down and cried whole heartedly.

Pulling herself together after a few moments she pushed her emotions down inside and got back to work. Several hours passed and she was nearly done the kitchen area when the power went out.  Frowning she looked out the window and could see the trees bowing to the howling wind. Something smashed against the side of the house making her jump.

The windows rattled and the rain seemed to be coming down in sheets while the house groaned. Finding a flash light in case the power didn’t come on again before dark Tori decided to head up stairs to curl up in bed and read. Part way up the stairs she paused when a scream pierced the raging storm. Looking out the small window at the landing she could see nothing in her yard but snapped off branches and lawn furniture that didn’t belong to her.

She lingered there for a few minutes more but only the wind and rain broke the silence. Shrugging it off as her imagination playing tricks on her, she continued to her room. Another loud bang, as something else hit the front of the house had her diving under the covers.  A chill ran down her spine and she had the sensation that something was watching her.

Too afraid to look she pulled the covers over her head and squeezed her eyes shut until the odd feeling went away.  It would be the next morning before she discovered just what had slammed into the side of her house but for now, exhausted and more than a little stressed Tori  fell into a fitful sleep.