074

Eva

I approached the door monitor, my footsteps echoing through the silent hallway. As the girls' faces appeared on the screen, my breath caught. Their familiar features sent a shiver down my spine.

My eyes widened, and I stumbled backward, my hand grasping for the wall to steady myself. "Oh my goodness," I whispered, the words barely escaping my lips.

Thelma's concerned gaze snapped toward me. "Eva, what's wrong?" she asked, her voice low and urgent.

I hesitated, fear clawing at my chest. My eyes darted toward the monitor, then back to Thelma. "They...they're the ones," I stammered. "How did they find where I live?"

Thelma's expression darkened, her eyebrows furrowing. "The ones who bullied you?" she guessed, her voice firm.

I nodded, a lump forming in my throat.

The doorbell shrilled repeatedly, the sound grating on my nerves. The girls' desperate voices carried through the intercom, pleading and begging.

"Should I send them away?" Thelma asked, turning to me, her eyes searching.

I