The Intruder

George and Rachel were in love. They had been married for about five years now. George knew she was the one when he first laid eyes on her. After a couple of months of dating, George knew they would marry.

He would always treasure Rachel’s reaction when he asked her to marry him. She squealed and jumped into his arms. She couldn’t stop crying. It was certainly one of the best days of George’s life.

They had purchased a cabin shortly after being married and were in pure bliss living out in the middle of nowhere. They lived about 2 miles from town, but it was perfect out here.

Nothing bad ever happened here like the horror movies that Rachel loved to watch. Nothing at all. George couldn’t wait to begin a family with her. Their children were going to be beautiful. He just knew it.

The couple was relaxing inside of their cabin.

George was reading a book on the couch, and Rachel’s legs were on top of his legs, as she scrolled through her phone. She kept on giggling at her phone as she received multiple pings.

“What are you laughing at, babe?”

Rachel smiled.

“My sister keeps sending me random memes about how bad she is at cooking. She attempted to bake a cake, but she burnt it. Can you believe that?”

“Why is she baking a cake?”

Rachel let out a sigh.

“She wanted to surprise her husband with a sweet treat. Guess it didn’t work out.”

George set his book down.

“You know, if you had made me a cake, I would love it. Even if it was the worst cake in the world, I would eat it.”

Rachel raised her leg for George to place a kiss on her ankles.

“You’re so sweet. I’m so glad I found you, G.”

“Me too.”

George and Rachel shared a smile, before a loud bang went off, shattering one of their windows. George dropped his book, while Rachel let out a scream. He shoved Rachel to the ground, shielding her.

There was another bang, this time directly at the front door. The knob disappeared completely from the gunshot, and George instantly grabbed Rachel, leading her to the back door of the cabin.

George could hear someone kick open the cabin door.

Rachel was babbling the whole time, whimpering. George whispered sweet words to her, as he led her to the shed. There was equipment lined up on the walls, that the couple normally used to work outside.

George retrieved an axe from the wall.

“What are you doing, George?” Rachel shrieked.

“Stay here. Lock yourself in here. If I don’t come back, run.”

Rachel let out a sob as George shut the door to the shed, hiding his wife. George lifted up the axe, listening to the gunman march inside the house, shouting incoherent nonsense.

He could faintly hear Rachel’s sobs from inside of the shed. It broke George’s heart hearing her cry like that. He shook off his sorrow and fear of losing her, as he slowly made his way back to the cabin.

George heard the gunman’s footsteps, and he made a run to the other side of the cabin. A gunshot exploded near him, barely missing George.

“GET YOUR ASS BACK HERE, YOU PIECE OF SHIT!”

George flinched from the loud cry of the man. It sounded broken and out of place. This man was insane. George knew this man wasn’t going to leave until they were both dead. He was thankful he couldn’t hear Rachel.

The intruder started running after George. He panicked and ran back into the cabin. There was another gunshot, just hitting the top of the door frame above George’s head.

Then he heard the man curse under his breath, starting to mess with the gun. George froze. The intruder was reloading the shotgun. George didn’t hesitate. He charged at the man, raising the axe in the air.

The intruder opened his mouth wide, as the axe connected into his face. The axe sunk straight into the front of his face, right between his eyes. The man made strange noises, as George looked down at what he had done.

He turned away to vomit, as the man continued to make gurgling noises. The gun was now on the floor of the cabin, forgotten. George slowly gathered himself together. He needed to call 911.

He shambled over to where Rachel had dropped her phone. It was on the floor. He picked it up and typed in her code. He messed up several times while trying to unlock the phone.

His fingers were shaking, and it didn’t help that the man wouldn’t stop the noises. George doubted that this man could be saved. He was done for.

George unlocked the phone, and his eyes landed on the text messages left by his wife’s sister.

Only it wasn’t Rachel’s sister.

George stared at the screen, and he read each message.

R: Hey babe. How are you?

A: I’m good sweetheart. Is your asshole husband in the house with you?

R: Yes. Did you bring the gun?

A: Yes. I’ll take care of that abusive piece of shit for you. We’ll be together and no one will ever find out. I promise you.

R: I trust you. I can’t wait to be with you. Luv you.

George let the phone fall from his hands. He stood there for a long time, his brain desperately trying to come up with answers. He walked over to the shotgun and picked up the weapon. The man was no longer moving.

George checked to see if it was loaded. There were two bullets in the chambers. The man was able to reload as he was trying to kill him.

He walked outside to the shed. He pulled open the door.

Rachel was huddled on the ground, her eyes meeting his. There was pure shock etched on her face.

“George? How did you — ’’

“How could you? I never…I never hit you.”

Rachel’s face dropped. Her eyes fell on the gun.

“George — please. You don’t understand. I can explain — ’’

George raised the gun, pointing it at his wife.

He pictured the children they would never have as he pulled the trigger.

Thank you for reading!

Emy Quinn