“Lucas?” she said, her voice shaking.

There was a heavy silence on the other end of the line.

We could hear the sound of rapid breathing.

“Chloe,” Lucas said.

His voice was different now.

The calm, manipulative tone was completely gone.

He sounded desperate, his breathing ragged and fast.

“What did you do?” he hissed.

“What do you mean, Lucas?” Chloe asked, trying to sound confused.

“The bank,” he snarled. “The portal just went dead. It says my security access has been revoked. The money isn’t there.”

“I don’t know anything about that,” Chloe said, looking at me for guidance.

“Don’t lie to me!” Lucas shouted.

Through the phone, we heard a sudden, loud crash in the background.

It sounded like glass shattering.

“Lucas?” Chloe cried out. “What was that?”

There was a muffled voice on his end, far from the phone.

Then, Lucas spoke directly into the receiver, his voice dropping to a low, terrified whisper.

“Someone is in the house,” he said.

Chloe gripped the edge of the kitchen island.

Her knuckles turned white against the dark granite.

“Lucas?” she whispered, her eyes filled with panic.