The Khan Dilemma

Bernard Harris thought he heard a scream from the home two doors down from his own on a quiet cul-de-sac, but he wasn't sure. It was late, well past midnight on a chill October night in Northern California. Harris was walking his nervous Fox Terrier past his mysterious neighbor's residence when he heard the gutteral cry through a lighted, upstairs window. The strange noise made Harris pause in his tracks, exchanging curious looks with his dog, Scout. A louder, more distinct yell rang out and Scout flinched, his head darting about in confusion. Harris had no time to react when a body suddenly crashed through the window, landing headfirst on the cement driveway below with a sickening thud. Scout yapped and dashed away, yanking the leash out of Harris's hand. Scout's owner was stunned, gazing without comprehension at the heap in the driveway. More noise emanated from the home, a persistent rumbling drifting through the damaged blinds of the shattered window. It sounded like somebody was rushing out of the room, slamming into things along the way. Then Harris heard the gunshots, four of them in rapid succession, followed by a faint, prolonged crashing, something falling down stairs. The living room area erupted with a series of loud noises, quickly replaced by a furious jiggling at the knob of the front door. Harris was situated just down the walkway from all the commotion when it occurred to him that whatever was causing the disturbance to the quiet night was heading in his direction. Curiously, the door didn't open right away. Instead, the doorframe shook violently, somebody desperately tugging at the unyielding door, but failing to budge it. Harris heard the scratchy fumbling of locks coming undone before the door flew open. A dark, crazy-eyed man in tattered clothing occupied the threshold, his mouth a grimace, panting like a cornered animal, his frantic gaze settling on Harris. The killer clutched a gun in his hand as he bolted at Harris, screeching unintelligible words. Panic gripped Harris and he reached for the sap tucked in his waistband. He'd barely managed to pull it out when the maniac was upon him and Harris swung reflexively at the man's forehead, connecting with the temple. The man's hands clutched at Harris's clothing and his putrid breath filled Harris's senses when he swung the sap two more times into the man's skull, driving him to his knees. The man yanked pathetically at Harris's trousers when Harris knocked him a final blow on top of the head, sending the attacker crashing to the pavement.