In which she meets the man from her dreams

Riley’s peaceful silence did not last long, perhaps twenty minutes, before forceful knocking came back to the door. Riley could not figure how the man had returned so very quickly. She looked to the small boy and said, “Go hide, I’ll tell you when it is safe.”'

The boy stood taking is book and ran quickly down the long hall. The ringing of the doorbell echoed thru the large manor reminding her, whoever it was, was waiting. Riley briefly wondered if she just ignored the doorbell, if the person would go away. Then again, it could be the police or someone to help her. Against her want to go and hide, Riley went to the front door. She peered thru the peephole to only see black. Whoever it was outside her door, they were obviously covering the peephole in attempt not to be seen. This thought was very unsettling. With this unsettling thought, fear began to rise inside Riley’s chest like a tidal wave. Riley trying to keep a level head went to the kitchen and took the biggest knife she could find in her hand.

She creaked opened the door, peeking thru the small opening. With a brief glimpse she recognized the face in front of her. His face was from her dreams and not her daydreams of the perfect man. This was the face of the man with the cage. He was tall and not exactly skinny, lean was the right word she supposed. His dark brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail that she thought was longer then her own hair. His complexion was tan but she could tell at one time he had been fair. Riley realized a bit too late that she had been studying him for too long. Without a word, she attempted to slam the door. The man was too quick and had placed his body within the door, blocking it from closing.

The two were facing each other, and Riley grasped the knife in her hand. She realized quite quickly that she had no idea how to stab anyone with effect. He was nearly a foot taller than her and his muddy brown eyes were completely calm. All she could think of doing was to run towards him with the knife trusted out.

“Wait” he yelled his voice not nearly as booming as Riley expected. It was a bit too late as she could not stop in the middle of her run. He grabbed her arm before the knife had a chance to slash his skin. Riley froze not quite sure what to do. She had never fought anyone before.

“Look” he said strongly. “I’ll let go of your arm if you promise not to stab me” he stated simply. Riley looked doubtful. She was not sure if he could be trusted. She really had no other option.

“Promise not to hurt me” Riley replied rather pitifully. A small smile crept across his lips and nodded his head. He let go of her arm and took a step back. Riley dropped the knife letting the metal clang upon the metal floor. As soon as the clanging stopped, they looked at each other. A million questions were buzzing thru Riley’s head but it seemed that none would come to her voice. She gulped trying to get the words to come up. Then in the distance, she heard footsteps that were growing quicker and closer every second.

“Buddy stop” she yelled her voice finally returning. The boy did not heed her and instead ran straight towards the man who swung him up into his arms, giving the boy a great bear of a hug before returning him to the ground.