• The day was creeping into dusk as I logged online. The computer was going slow as ever, but I noticed my boyfriend's friend was online. I haven't talked to either of them in some time. I wrote to her, "Where is he now?" A sigh slipped through my lips as I propped my head up with my hand. "On his way to you," she wrote back. I jumped a little. It was awkard enough when I knew every move he made and whenever he left home, but of all the times in the year we were together that he said he would come see me, he never did. Now he left with no word.
    "When did he leave?" I clicked send and the screen changed ever so slowly. Was the computer feeling as lazy as me tonight? Hah. Yeah, sure. Computers don't have feelings. Another message from her popped up. "About a month ago." Does that mean he's almost here? I peered over toward the window, seeing nothing but the black, silent night.
    "Oh." I wrote back. I didn't know what else to say. What was there to say? Okay I'll talk to you when he knocks on my door? That would be silly. Now I know why everyone says long distance relationships are stupid.
    It seemed faster than before that I recieved another message from her. "Get on msn." If it were possible, I'd have a big question mark above my head, but I logged onto Windows Live right away. She was on his screen name, but I still knew it was her. "Yes?" I wrote to her. She requested a web cam view and I accepted. So he bought a web cam without telling me, too? What else was he hiding or "forgetting" to tell me?
    "You home alone?" She asked. "Yes." I replied.
    "Where is everyone?"
    "My sister is at work and I don't know where my mom is." They were all I lived with, besides my cats.
    She fiddled around with something, then I heard her voice and it made me jump. Microphone, too? Geez. When would he stop buying things. Two men appeared on either side of her. The one on the right was clearly my boyfriend's best friend. He was skinny and blonde. His skin was fair, but I couldn't tell about his eyes. The man on the left must have been his friend from work. When Jennifer met him she said he had blue eyes and long blonde hair, sort of like Eric's. Now Jennifer was engaged to him. Same hair or not, Eric would still be the better one. That thought made a small smile reach across my face. "Hey Chris. Hey Mike." I said into my microphone which I now had on, also. They waved and nodded their heads slightly.
    "Why so quiet?" Jenn asked. I looked towards the window again and heard a chopper and gun shots. "That's why. Gangs are out again. Be right back." I got up and walked out of my room, grabbing all five of the cats two at a time and putting them in my brother's old room. It was the only room with no windows, so I figured it would be safest for them.
    Walking back in my bedroom, though I knew they could see me through the web cam, I opened my closet and grabbed my .44 magnum revolver. A small smile reached across my face when I heard them gasp, but I didn't look at the laptop. I walked back out of my bedroom and locked all the doors and windows, then pulled the blinds over all the windows.
    When I got back to the laptop I set the revolver next to me. "Are you going to get the door?" Jenn asked me. "Why would I?" I responded. She lifted up her index finger right before the doorbell rang and I jumped. I noticed that Chris and Mike smiled, and Mike wrapped his arm around Jenn's waist. I rolled my eyes. Why did she have to be psychic? Eh, I didn't want to bother with that. As long as I was the only one who could read people's minds and emotions. I stood up and walked to the front door, peering out the small window to see Eric. I unlocked the door and opened it to let him in. Of course, I had my gun tucked into my belt just incase one of the gang members tried something. Eric's eyes got big when he saw the revolver and I smiled and hugged him. It took a lot of stretching to be able to wrap my arms around his neck. He was taller than I thought he would be. We walked back to my bedroom and the others smiled when they saw he was safe. "Eric!! Your okay!!" They said together. He rolled his eyes. "Of course I am." I giggled at his over-neccesary confidence.
    I looked at the bathroom door when the cats started meowing. "We should go in there with them and keep them quiet and calm." I insisted. Eric nodded and picked up the laptop. We cut through the bathroom to my brother's old room to avoid the open part of the house. They all looked up at us, some meowing. "It's okay, guys." I whispered to them. Eric set the laptop on the futon and sat down. I sat on the floor next to him and pulled the revolver out of my belt and set it next next to me.
    We all jumped when the sound of a window being smashed crawled through the house. "s**t." I whispered. "What's going on?" Eric asked. "Stay here." I said, grabbing the gun and tip-toeing towards the door. "They broke into the house."
    I opened the door slowly, making sure it wouldn't make a sound. Peering out into the living room, I noticed they were in my mother's room. I snuck towards the laundry room, which was next to my mom's room. The gun was held up against my shoulder. Hiding behind the door to the laundry room, I gazed toward the group of gang members looking for valuables. I held the gun out and shot one in his left shoulder. He seemed to be down. I ducked back behind the door as they jumped back and looked around. "It's the cops!" The leader yelled out. My back pushed up against the wall and I saw Eric standing in the dining room. What and idiot. I told him to stay. He was looking over at me with wide eyes, probably trying to see me through the pitch black.
    I waved my hand, motioning for him to hide. He slid unter the dining room table with the laptop in his hand. What was he thinking!? The gang members seemed to have calmed down again. They walked out of my mother's room, walking right pass me. My eyes got huge and full of fear as they walked towards my brother's room. No. Not the cats. Eric must have seen my fear. He glanced over at them quickly. I shot at them again and Eric followed. He had his Desert Eagle with him. Good. The members pulled out guns and shot everywhere, not being able to see us, but panicking too much to look for the fires from the bullets when we shot. I ran out of the laundry room and smacked one on the side of his head with my gun. He was dazed and unconcious. Eric was shooting at all but one, who pulled out a cell phone and dialed a number. "We need--" I smacked the phone out of his hand. "You don't need anything." I told him. The last thing Eric and I needed were more people to fight. He pulled a gun out of his coat pocket. It was too dark to see what kind, but I shot at him before he had a chance to shoot first. After that shot it seemed quiet. Maybe too quiet. Eric and I both sighed. The cats were silent. My head jolted to right when I heard a shuffle. Another gun shot went off and Eric grunted. I saw he gripped at his shoulder. My eyes filled up with tears and I hit the back of the member's head with the revolver. He fell and looked up at me. "Don't. Touch. My. Boyfriend."
    "How can you be sure I won't?" He asked slickly, a smile flashed across his face. I hit his head again and he seemed to be out. "That's how." I whispered, then ran to hug Eric quickly and go to my mother's room to get an ace bandage and medical tape. I ran back towards him and sat him down in the dining room chair then wrapped up his shoulder. He looked into my eyes and wrapped his unharmed arm around my waist and pulled me close to him, then kissed me deeply. "Aw, come on guys. Not in front of us, please!" Chris shouted. I pulled away from the kiss and we both smiled then continued. I jerked away again and glanced toward the front door.
    It was unlocked. One of the members lay against the door, he must have unlocked it before he was shot. "Oh no." I whispered. "What?" They all said. "Shh."
    Jenn gasped and I nodded in response. She saw what was comming. The door pushed open slowly. A tall man stalked in. "Stay quiet." I whispered so only Eric could hear, then put the laptop on mute and covered the screen so no light would show. The tall man walked slower than ever, looking around cautiously.

    TO BE CONTINUED...