The madman pressed the knife against the child's neck once more.
"I'll lock the door! Please don't get upset. I'll listen to you. Just don't hurt the child!" Samantha said while retreating slowly to the door. She closed it gently and locked it with a click.
She then looked at the madman again and said in a very soft voice, "Sir, I've locked the door."
The madman stared at the door lock for a while before finally looking toward Samantha. He spoke viciously and said, "Walk over here!"
Samantha walked toward him without saying another word.
When she was within a few steps from the madman, he stopped her and said, "Stop! You can just stand there!"
Samantha obediently followed his orders and stood motionlessly there.
Her obedience seemed to have satisfied the madman as his hostility dissipated a little. The hand that was holding a knife against the child's neck was slowly relaxed too.
