Chapter 7

"Mom, they must be hiding inside! And they set this damned mousetrap!"

Tiffany hissed, sucking in air from the pain.

I saw they were still wearing the clothes they'd snatched last time—torn and stained with blood. They’d probably been attacked on their way here.

Ryan glanced around furtively and actually spotted my camera.

He leaned in, his face purplish, eyes bloodshot.

"Rowan, I know you're in there! Let us in! Tiffany's hurt!"

"Why should I let you in?"

I asked, a smile playing on my lips.

Hearing the playful tone in my voice, the three went wild, frantically banging on the door.

But this door could stop bullets.

"If you don't let us in, you're murderers!"

Tiffany shrieked, stomping her feet back and forth.

"Rowan, don't let them in!"

My parents hated them deeply.

I raised a hand, calming my parents.

"You can come in, but on certain conditions!"

"Okay, okay, we agree! Anything!"

The three nodded frantically, almost kneeling.

Before the door was fully open, they burst in.

"I'm freezing to death!"

My parents secretly gripped their weapons, and I watched them coldly.

"Once you're in, you follow my rules, or I throw you right back out!"

"First, food is limited and rationed. Second, you go out every day to find supplies. Third, two people stand guard every night."

"Agreed, we accept!"

Tiffany quickly agreed.

I scoffed. Tiffany was always the type to bend when necessary.

"Break the rules, and I'll break your hands!"

I snatched a stick and shattered a vase.

The three, half-frozen to death, didn't seem to heed my warning, which was exactly what I wanted.