Chapter 83

Sarah had just finished with some sandwiches for the kids. They usually got home with a ravaging hunger. It was easier for Sarah to just pop the sandwiches into the snackwicher. She got vegetables from the refrigerator and placed them on the table next to a potato peeler and a large chopping knife. She still had no idea what to make for supper but potatoes were always a great ingredient she liked in food. She was just about to fry some bacon when there was a knock on the door. It's a little early for the kids Sarah thought when she walked towards the TV room.

Sarah opened the front door and noticed a young man about the same age as Patrick and Andrew, maybe a little older. The fact that he was wearing E.D.S High school uniform gave her comfort. At least it was not the sick pervert from the other day. He was standing alone with his schoolbag slung over his shoulder.

'Good afternoon, ma'am,' he said politely. 'I was just wondering if Pat and Andy were home already.'

'No, not yet. It's a little early for them to be home,' Sarah said and wondered why the kid was out of school so early.

'I'm Victor ma'am, one of their school friends. Andy said he would help me with my maths this afternoon. I'm struggling with it a little and he's a guy who just snaps these things.'

Sarah smiled and said, 'Yes, Andy's always been good with numbers, just like his dad. Would you like to come in so long? They won't be too long now.'

'Sure, thank you, ma'am,' Victor said in the most innocent way possible. 'I'm sorry for the bother.'

Sarah unlocked the safety gate and allowed Victor to enter the house. 'Why are you so early?' That's when she smelled cigarettes on his clothes and wondered if she had done the right thing by unlocking the safety gate.

'I had to go see a doctor, so I had to skip the last two classes,' Victor lied.

'Doctor? What's wrong – '

Sarah was interrupted when another man appeared around the corner. He had tattoos on his face. She felt a stab of anxiety but it was too late to do anything. Victor pushed her violently deeper inside the house. He was joined by another younger gentleman about the age of Andrew and Patrick.

'Don't scream or say a word bitch,' Numbers said closing the wooden door behind them.

'What's going on here?' Sarah demanded and felt her voice shaking. She had a terrible feeling that she might become a rape victim. She knew the children would be home soon and a glimpse of hope bubbled up through the anxiety that stiffened her body. She hoped her children would be in time before these criminals decided to do whatever they came here to do.

'Sorry ma'am,' Victor said stretching out the ma'am part into a mocking tone. 'If your son wasn't such a fuckup, none of this would have been necessary.'

'What do you mean? What has he done to you? Please you can take anything you want if that is what you want,' Sarah shrieked.

'If I knew Andrew's mother was this hot, I would have come to pay her a visit a long time ago,' Numbers said regarding Sarah's breasts.

'Not bad hey,' Victor added. 'I wouldn't mind to fuck her myself though.'

'Mike, bring the car closer,' Number said handing him the key. 'This bitch looks like a screamer. Hurry up, they'll be home soon. We haven't got much time.'

Mike ran out through the front door.

'Please,' Sarah pleaded, holding her hand out defensively. 'Take what you want. I will not tell anyone you were here, please.' She could hear her heart thudding against her ribcage. Why did she trust the innocent-looking boy who knocked on the door?

'Sure,' Numbers said. 'We're planning to take something.' Numbers heard the car approaching and grabbed Sarah around her body.

Sarah started to scream as loud as possible hoping that someone would hear her voice. She clawed into Numbers' face with all her strength, but the grip around her body just tightened.

'Victor, cover her fucking head,' Number shouted.

Victor took off his jersey and tried to pull it over Sarah's head but she was too wild, kicking and scratching.

'She's fucking crazy. Knock her the fuck out,' Victor screamed.

Numbers threw her aside and drew back his hand. He slapped her across the face with a loud thud. Sarah felt the sting on her left cheek. She felt a little disorientated and dizzy. She tried to run for the toilet, but Numbers pulled her back. There was another blow to the back of her head. This time it was a fist, and it hurt like hell, but Sarah had to get to the toilet. The door could be locked. If she could just make it, she would be safe for a few minutes while she could figure out what to do next. The intruders would not be able to open the door and the kids would be home soon. By that time the intruders would have fled.

'Fuck this bitch,' Numbers said. He sent a boot towards her face.

Sarah felt a sharp pain shooting up from her nose. The pain was so blinding that she could hardly focus on anything else. Her eyes started to water up almost immediately and tears were streaming down her cheeks. She attempted a scream for the last time, but her voice was weak. It would not reach anyone if they were somewhere in the house let alone the neighbours. She noticed the amount of blood on the floor and realised that she had more trouble than she anticipated. Her nose was throbbing and her vision was blurry through the tears. She tried to crawl towards the toilet still, but she felt a force pulling on her leg, dragging her back. She turned to her back to kick her attacker in the face but he was too quick. The man with the tattoos sat on top of her stomach. His hand flew up again before she felt another blow to her face, and another and another until she could feel no more.

Numbers bent over to pick Sarah up from the ground. She was unconscious. 'Mike, start the fucking car.' He shouted towards the front door. 'Victor, find her phone. Let's go.' He turned with Sarah suspended in his arms when he almost slipped in her blood. He ran down the steps at the front door with Sarah's head and arms dangling along. He threw her on the back seat and pushed her deeper into the car to make space for himself. He got in and slammed the door. 'Where the fuck is Victor?' he shouted.

Victor came running through the front door towards the car. He got in and Mike took off like a bullet out of a gun.