Round 3 Transcript

The sound of heavy footsteps echoes down the kitchen hallway as The Force approaches Jeane's position. Her eyes scan the room, but her gaze passes over Jeane without focus, her attention solely on the potential threat. A faint creaking noise comes from the floorboards beneath Jeane's feet as she stands frozen beside the counter, clutching the brass lamp base tightly in her hand. The air is thick with tension, and the flickering light of the dying fire casts eerie shadows on the walls.

Jeane's hands shake as she grips the heavy brass lamp base like a club. Whoever you are—stay away from me! I have weapons and I know how to use them! Her voice cracks with fear but she forces confidence into her tone, standing between the intruder and the back door where her keys hang. I'm calling the police right now if you don't get out of my house this instant!

I clear the living room fast, checking every shadow: couch, chairs, behind the TV stand. The house feels too big now, too many places to hide. I move toward the kitchen, keeping my back to the wall—stupid basic shit but it works. The floorboards creak upstairs again, heavy footsteps moving away from the bedroom. She's still here somewhere, still alive. Good. I want her alive when I find her, want to see her face when she understands what's happening. I grab the brass lamp from the dining table on my way past—heavy base, decent swing—and slide into the kitchen, flashlight sweeping the counters. Knife block with six blades right there, convenient as hell. I pull out the biggest one, hold it reverse grip in my left hand while keeping the lamp ready in my right. The stairs creak again, closer now. She's coming down.