𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗧𝘄𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗔𝘁 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝗻𝗱

I was cradling my four year old daughter, Anastasia as we watched TV with my husband, Mike.

Just then he suddenly turned down the volume.

"Did you hear that?" He asked as he got up and took a broom from the kitchen.

I tried listening but couldn't hear anything out of the norm.

I could only hear the rustling of leaves since it was windy outside.

"What is it?" I asked unable to hide the panic in my voice

"Just keep the door locked till I'm back" He whispered as he went outside.

I locked the door and hurried to my daughter, Anastasia who was now sobbing loudly

Just then I heard my husband screaming outside

I heard struggling noises, a thud then silence

Then someone started pounding on the door

I kept rocking my little girl, humming a lullaby in her ear to calm her as she cried

I was scared, not for me but for my little girl

I put my little girl on my lap, her back to my chest,

and I stroked her head with both hands, from the top of her scalp, down across her ears, just as I've done ever since she was a baby

The effect was instantaneous.

Her desperate crying calmed down to soft sobs.

I kept humming to her, soothing her hair, acting for all the world as if nothing is out of place, not a single thing amiss.

The banging on the door was now louder and wilder

Before she even realized what was happening,

I twisted her neck with a violent jerk, which was accompanied by a dry snapping sound.

She was dead before she could even slump down onto my lap.

I didn't mind if the killer got in and tore me piece by piece but at least my baby was now safe....

I didn't mind if the killer got in and tore me piece by piece but at least my baby was now safe....in heaven

Just then the door gave in and snapped open.

My husband walked into the room with a smile on his face

"Hey honey...it was just a prank.. I'm okay"

He said with a smile on his face.

But his smile slowly faded...

... when he noticed our daughters limp body on the floor.