Intruder breaks into home and attacks sleeping woman. But she grabs a knife, fights back — and makes him pay.

Things ended painfully for a man authorities said broke into a North Carolina home after midnight Monday.

Darnell Troy Hunt, 23, of Lumberton, broke into a residence outside Tabor City — which is on the border with South Carolina — and attacked the homeowner while she was sleeping, WECT-TV reported, citing the Columbus County Sheriff's Office.

But the woman wasn't about to play the victim.

Bringing the pain

She managed to grab a knife and then did battle with the intruder, stabbing him multiple times, deputies told WECT.

Deputies and emergency crews were dispatched to the home where they found Hunt, who was taken to a hospital in Loris, South Carolina, the station said. The suspect was later transferred to a hospital in Myrtle Beach, WECT added. There were no reports on Hunt's condition.

The investigation is ongoing and charges against Hunt are likely, the station said.

The sheriff's office told WWAY-TV it appeared to be an isolated incident.

This story has been updated.