Chloe recognized her mother's urgent hand signals instantly from across the room.
Her little heart pounded fast against her chest as she took a deep breath.
She knew the emergency code by heart because they practiced it every single month.
Marcus was distracted for a second as he looked around the spacious living room.
He was searching for the home office where the safe was located.
Marcus: I know the trust fund documents are inside your private wall safe!
Sarah: You have no legal right to touch those papers, Marcus!
Marcus: I was part of this family too, and I deserve half!
Chloe turned her feet toward the hallway wall near the main entrance door.
A modern white digital security panel was mounted securely high on the drywall.
She sprinted across the polished floor with fast, quiet footsteps in her slippers.
Marcus heard the faint sound of her slippers slapping against the smooth tile.
He turned his head sharply and spotted the young girl reaching for the keypad.
Marcus: Hey! Stop right there, you little brat!
Sarah: Run, sweetie, run as fast as you can!
Marcus charged aggressively down the brightly lit corridor toward the girl and Sarah.
His face was red with anger as his heavy sneakers thudded on the floor.
Chloe reached the digital keypad and tapped four numbers with lightning speed.
The system emitted three sharp, loud beeps that echoed throughout the house.
A loud silent alarm signal was instantly transmitted directly to local police dispatchers.
Marcus realized what she had done and shouted in pure rage as he closed in.
Marcus: You little brat! You just called the cops on me!
Sarah: Leave her alone, Marcus! She is just a child!
Marcus: I am going to grab those keycard codes right now!
Chloe did not panic or cry as the heavy man rushed toward her position.
She glanced at the wooden entryway shelf sitting right next to the wall panel.
Sitting on the top shelf was a small black canister of defensive pepper spray.
Her mother had kept it there for emergency protection during late night walks.
Chloe reached up with her quick hand and grabbed the cool metal can.
She turned her small body around with a brave and determined look in her eyes.
She refused to let this cruel intruder hurt her injured mother on the floor.
Chloe: You do not scare me at all!
Marcus: Put that down before I take it from you!
Marcus reached his large arms out to grab the young girl by her shoulders.
Sarah screamed from the floor as she tried desperately to crawl forward.
Sarah: Don't you dare touch my daughter!
Chloe held her breath, raised the nozzle, and squeezed the top trigger hard.