Chapter 14: A Doghouse

Ripley's POV

Ripley stirred at the pot on the stove. It boiled and steamed and sputtered.

She turned her back on the pot and got a bowl out of the cupboard. She was humming along with the song playing out of her little speakers, content.

She felt like she was still high off the relief from her call with Cory earlier this afternoon.

The noodles were done, so she drained them and plopped them into the blue bowl she had set out. She cut chunks of butter on it and sprinkled it with shredded cheese.

Giving the bowl a stir, she carried it into the living room. Ripley plopped herself onto the plush gray couch and flipped something on the TV while she scrolled through her phone.

Scratching came from the front door.

Ripley waited for a second, unsure that she'd actually heard anything.

Then, the pounding started.

Ripley jumped up, grabbing a gun off the coffee table. She shoved it in her waistband and covered it with her shirt as she crept to the door.