The Philadelphia streets were unusually quiet this time of morning. The sunlight peeked through the one bedroom apartment. The blare of an alarm interrupted the stillness as Chris Matthews turned in bed to face his wife. He admired her beauty then softly kissed her awake.424Please respect copyright.PENANAVeFZ3hYY8J
"Good Morning?" Sarah said with a sleepy smile.
"Morning. How did you sleep?" Chris wiped a strand of hair from her face.
"I haven't slept that good in ages."
"Well, you deserve it. Do you have some work to finish up today?"
Sarah sat up and dangled her feet off the side of the bed, "Yes I do, but I want to not work too late."
"Get back in bed. I have something for you." Chris said putting on his t-shirt and jeans which were on the floor beside the bed.
"I have to go to the bathroom." Sarah laughed, as she walked into the master bathroom and shut the door behind her.
"I have to pick up your surprise from down the street." Chris grabbed his keys and wallet from the nightstand and walked into the living room. "Honey?"
Sarah pulled her hair into a messy bun and leaned against the entryway to the living room, "Yeah?"
"Did you want a cup of tea? I'm about to make some for myself."
"Sure, herbal tea please."
"Coming right up."
Sarah sat on the living room couch and turned on the television. Changing the channel to a local news station, her mind went to the novel she was working on. She was an independent author. She loved the freedom, but there were challenges too. She was in the middle of the fourth book in a series and couldn't figure out what to write next. Her phone buzzed on the coffee table in front of her. It was an email from one of her beta readers who gave their feedback on a recent chapter she sent them. As Sarah went to respond, her husband walked into the living room with her tea.
"Thanks," Sarah said with a smile.
"I'm going to head out," Chris said as he lifted his jacket from the coat hanger near the front door and slipped it onto his shoulders.
"What about your tea?" Sarah stood and handed him his hat from the coffee table.
"Thanks, I'll drink it when I come back. At most I'll be back in 15 minutes."
"Okay. I love you."
"I love you too." Chris kissed Sarah on the lips and left the apartment.
Sarah went back to their bedroom and put on her white fluffy robe as the house felt chilly without Chris around. Sarah started to make the bed as she heard the front door open. Letting go of the sheet, she walked into the living room "You got back quick. Is - Who...who are you?"
Sarah's eyes widened as she faced the barrel of a gun. A man in a black jacket, jeans and a ski mask smirked at her and said: "I'm your worse nightmare."
Sarah opened her mouth to scream, but only a sob was heard. Her vision blurred as the intruder hit her with the gun. She fell into the coffee table and her teacup shattered as it hit the living room floor.
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