Alex Harris 00 - Armed

lot of problems. I think your father tried to help her.”
    To my astonishment, it seemed to work. Monica backed off and went back to sit on the sofa. She wiped the saliva from her face on the back of her sleeve and pushed the hair over her ears again.
    “I know your father tried to contact you. He wrote you letters and....”
    She hopped off the couch again, inches from me, shouting in my face. “How do you know that? Did she tell you? Did Elvira tell you? What kind of a name is that anyway?”
    I just about had my fill of these mood swings. “No, Elvira didn’t tell me.”
    “No, she couldn’t. Because I killed her. I really wanted to kill her on Christmas but she finally figured out who I was. Took her long enough.”
    Monica started to laugh and turned away. The laughing continued for a few seconds and then abruptly stopped.
    I realized for the first time the girl really was insane. With this realization, I knew I had to get out of there and fast. “I really need to go. My family must be worried about me by now. I told them I would just be a few minutes.” I gave a little laugh and took a step toward the door.
    “At least you have a family!”
    “Monica, why don’t you get your coat and we can go talk to Detective Van der Burg. I’m sure he would understand. He’ll find some people who can help you.”
    “I don’t need any help.” She looked baffled. “Do I look like I need help?”
    “No. No. I just thought...I’m sorry, but I really have to go.” I moved again thinking this time I would make it.
    “I said you’re not going anywhere!” Monica stood next to me.
    I realized my only hope was to replace my fear with anger. I shoved Monica in the chest. The young woman tumbled back. I grabbed for the door confirming my worst fear—she had locked it. I fumbled with the latch but I still wore my gloves. Monica got back up and tried to grab my hair. For the first time in my life I thanked my lucky stars for short, fine hair.
    Instead, Monica snatched at my coat.
    “Let me go!” I kicked her.
    “I can’t let you leave. You’ll go tell everyone I’m crazy.” She started to chant. “Monica is crazy, Monica is crazy.”
    “Stop it! I won’t say anything. Just let me go!” I managed to turn around and pushed her again with all the strength I could muster, all the while pulling off my gloves. There! They were off. I fiddled with the latch again, this time managing to get it undone.
    I yanked the door open and glanced back to where Monica had been lying on the floor, but she was gone.
    I saw the raised hand holding the doorstop a split second before it crashed down on my shoulder. I slumped to the floor grabbing my arm and screaming out in pain.
    “I said you’re not leaving!”
    “Someone! Please! Anyone. Help me!” I yelled.
    I rolled on my butt and managed to kick the advancing Monica with both feet. She fell backward, hitting her head on the wooden corner of the sofa arm. It made a loud thud and I hoped it hurt like hell. With any luck, it knocked her out. I had to get out of there before Monica came to. The girl already killed once and no doubt had grown accustomed to this particular method of working out her problems.
    But I couldn’t move. My shoulder hurt so much.
    The door had slammed shut when I fell. I groped with my left hand and turned the knob. It opened. I braced myself on the table and knocked the lamp to the floor. The bulb popped, plunging the room into darkness.
    My right arm hung limply at my side, no good to me now. I managed to push the door open with my left shoulder and started slowly down the icy steps. At the bottom something hit the middle of my back. I fell forward into the snow and landed on my shoulder sending shock waves through my entire body.
    Monica ran back up the steps, probably to get the doorstop, or worse, a knife.
    I dragged myself to a bunch of trashcans just as Monica rushed back down the stairs. Behind the trashcans was a pile of wood and a few low bushes. They would have to do for cover.
    I crawled behind, biting down on my lip to keep from screaming out.
    “I know you’re out here. You can’t get away. Just ask Elvira. It didn’t do her any good either.” Monica’s voice broke the silence only a few feet from where I hid.
    As true dread set in, I thought quickly. I left my purse in my car along with my cell. The only thing I had were my keys but they were tucked into my coat pocket. If I tried to reach for them Monica would hear me.
    She