Lily's sneakers squeaked against the kitchen floor as she sprinted toward the hallway.
Her heart pounded loudly in her chest as she heard Mark shouting right behind her.
Mark: What are you doing? Stop running right now!
Lily did not listen to him and kept running as fast as her legs could carry her.
She reached the silver security keypad mounted near the front entry door.
Her hands were trembling, but she remembered the emergency code her mother had taught her.
She pressed the small rubber buttons as quickly as her little fingers could move.
High-pitched electronic beeps filled the quiet hallway with every key she pressed.
Mark rushed into the hallway, his large frame filling the narrow space between the walls.
He moved quickly toward Lily to stop her from setting off the loud house alarm.
Mark: Put your hands down and stop touching that panel right now!
Lily looked around frantically for another way to defend her home and her mother.
She spotted a small shelf by the front closet where her mother kept emergency items.
Sitting right near the edge was a blue metal can of pepper spray.
Sarah had purchased it months ago after the divorce to feel safer when home alone.
Lily reached out with her small hand and grabbed the cool metal can firmly.
She turned around quickly to face the large man sprinting down the hallway toward her.
Mark slowed down slightly, surprised to see the little girl standing her ground firmly.
Mark: Give me that right now before you get hurt!
Lily: Stay away from me! Stay away from my mom!
Lily gripped the blue can with both of her hands to keep it steady.
She aimed the small nozzle directly toward Mark's approaching face.
Mark reached his arm out to grab the can away from the small girl's grip.
Before he could reach her, Lily pressed her thumb down hard on the top nozzle.
A thick cloud of white mist sprayed directly out of the top of the canister.
The sustained aerosol sound filled the narrow hallway like a sharp, sudden hiss.