Chris narrowed her eyes, but she knew the woman meant well and forced a small smile. “Thank you.” She didn’t like Maggie. Didn’t like the way the woman fussed over Tom, but if they found antibiotics in time, Adam might get better, and Chris would be hailed a hero.
If not—
Don’t think about that just yet.
She’d be hailed a hero.
11
Anna’s gaze darted around the room in search of anything that could help them get out of their current predicament.
The pistol on top of the bedside table was right there, yet completely out of her reach. Her Swiss Army Knife was with her camping gear inside the wardrobe, but unless Oreo spontaneously grew a set of thumbs, she wouldn’t be able to get to it until she found a way to free her hands.
Sarah chewed on her bottom lip. “Oreo brings you his toys, right?”
“He’s not going to pick up that gun. It’s too heavy, and what if it goes off?”
“I’m not talking about the pistol. You said your knife was with your camping gear…”
“I can’t reach the wardrobe.” Anna stretched her leg to prove her point. “Can we break the pipe?”
“It’s made of copper. I doubt it’ll break, but maybe we can bend it? With a bit more wriggle room you might be able to pull the door open with your feet.”
“With my shoes on?”
Sarah scowled. “You’re bendy. Shift my way, and I’ll help you take them off.”
Anna brought her heel to her bottom and slowly slid her foot along the pipe until she felt her shoe bump against Sarah’s hand. Her hip clicked and she groaned. “I’m getting old.”
Sarah undid Anna’s shoelaces, then loosened them before hooking her thumb into the heel of Anna’s shoe. “Pull.”
A jolt of pain surged through Anna’s leg and she winced, but her heel popped out of the shoe. “That’s it.” She gingerly stretched her leg and removed the shoe the rest of the way with the help of her other foot.
“Now the pipe.” Anna drew in a deep breath, gritting her teeth against the pain in her chest and pulled. The pipe creaked but didn’t budge.
“You need to help,” Anna whispered. “On three. One. Two. Three.”
Sarah groaned, pushing her bodyweight forward and away from the radiator. The pipe bent. Plaster crumbled off the wall.
Oreo watched them with his head tilted, his tail wagging.
The pipe creaked again, louder this time. Anna held her breath and listened, waiting for Nellie to come rushing into the room, but the clattering in the kitchen continued. Gus was speaking and Nellie giggled intermittently in reply.
“They’re probably planning who to kill next,” Sarah whispered.
“One more time,” Anna said. “One. Two. Three.”
This time the pipe bent fully, coming away from the radiator. Anna scooted forward as far as the bent pipe would allow her, then stretched her legs. This time, her feet reached the wardrobe doors. She wiggled her big toe against the crack between the door and the wardrobe until it popped open, then pulled it towards her.
Footsteps echoed through the hallway. A door creaked open.
Anna’s heart leapt into her throat. “Shouldn’t we wait until they’ve left?”
Oreo tucked his tail between his legs. They were behaving oddly, and Anna knew he could smell her anxiety.
“There is no way I’m letting them leave with Nellie’s list. Not after what they’ve done to Dad.” Sarah glanced at the pistol. “I’m tempted to—”
“No,” Anna said. “We’re not doing that.”
Sarah ignored her objection and jerked her chin in the direction of the backpack. “Spill the contents across the floor. If Gus or Nellie come to check on us, we can blame Oreo for tearing the backpack apart.”
Anna rolled her eyes. “And you think they won’t notice the open wardrobe?”
“If they make their way over here, kick it shut. Now, hurry up!”
Anna scowled. A musty smell wafted out from inside the wardrobe. There was a first aid kit on top of a folded tent along with a camping chair, and Anna’s old windbreaker on a coat hanger.
The small bag containing her knife was nestled between the tent and a pair of hiking boots.
Just out of her reach.
“I can’t get to it. Unless we take the radiator off the wall.”
“Now’s your dog’s time to shine.”
Anna scoffed. “You’re possibly being too hopeful.”
She thought of Oreo’s toys. He knew the words tennis ball, frisbee, bone, pig and octopus. He didn’t always bring the correct toy, and more often than not, he brought all of them just to make sure he definitely received a treat.
None of the toys looked like the small bag next to her hiking boots.
His toy bone came the closest in terms of size and material.
“Oreo?”
Oreo’s ears pricked up, and he wagged his tail.
“Bring me your bone.” Anna filled her voice with as much excitement as she could muster while still whispering. “Where is your bone?”
Oreo gave a bark, jumped up and ran around the bed. He crouched, checking under the bed, his head disappearing, then came running back, tilting his head as if waiting for further instruction.
“Find your bone.” Anna jerked her head in direction of the wardrobe. “Look! Find it!”
Oreo sniffed the tent, then pulled on a camping chair.
“Bone. Find your bone!”
He grabbed the first aid kit, and she petted him with her foot. “Not that! Bring me your bone!”
“What are they doing?” Nellie’s voice came from the kitchen.
They had to hurry. “Oreo! Where’s your bone?”
He trotted back to the wardrobe and sniffed the tent, then moved his nose to the small bag.
The sound of footsteps came from the hallway.
“Yes! Good boy! Bring it here.”
Oreo pulled on the bag, then promptly dropped it at Anna’s feet, waiting for his treat, and Anna quickly kicked the wardrobe door.
It closed just as Gus was coming around the corner, waving the pistol through the air. Seeing the mess in the room, he scowled and released the gun’s safety.
Nellie had followed behind him and was now peering over his shoulder.
“Oreo ripped the bag apart, looking for more food,” Anna said without looking up. She was afraid of meeting his eyes in case he saw through her lies straight away. “Sarah tried to stop him, and he…well, you know.”
Gus’ frown deepened. He turned to Nellie. “I don’t trust either of them. Keep packing. I’ll watch them.”
Sarah’s gaze flicked from the bag to Anna. If Gus stayed in the room with them, she couldn’t—
“Can’t you at least close the door to the other bedroom? Seeing Dad…it freaks me out,” Anna repeated Sarah’s plea from earlier, hoping Gus would turn his back on them.
She only needed a few seconds.
Gus muttered something under his breath, wrinkling his nose.
“Please?” Sarah said.
He gave a grunt, then turned and went to close the door.
As soon as his back was turned, Anna pulled the small bag towards her with her feet and sat on it. She scooted forward, her fingers already fumbling with the zip.
Gus returned and leaned against the doorway with a self-satisfied smile. He raised an eyebrow at Sarah. “Don’t you want to thank me?”
“Thank you,” Sarah said quietly.
Careful not to move her shoulders or upper body, Anna pulled the Swiss Army Knife from the bag, opening it behind her back. She slid the knife through the cable ties and felt the sharp edge cut into her palm, causing her to almost drop it. Clenching her teeth, she kept her face relaxed, moving her wrists up and down, slowly wearing through the ties.
Gus was inspecting the pistol and stroking the trigger. Anna’s eyes were glued to the gun. The safety was still off. Noticing her stare, he frowned. “What are you doing?”
> Anna coughed and winced. “Trying to find a more comfortable position. I think I broke a rib.”
Gus snickered, lowering his weapon.
Her ties popped open and Anna shifted, sliding the knife across the carpet to her sister. She rubbed her blistered wrists, waiting for Sarah to cut through her own ties.
She considered their options.
If she jumped up and threw herself at Gus, Sarah could grab the other gun on the bedside table.
Adrenaline spiked in Anna’s stomach.
Sarah rolled her shoulders, giving her a small smile.
Anna nodded, then jumped up and ran at Gus, hoping the adrenaline would dull the worst of her pain, but every breath was like a hot poker searing her lungs.
Surprised, Gus blinked, too slow to level his weapon.
Oreo followed her. A whirl of movement. Anna grabbed the pistol and twisted it so it was pointing downwards, trying to wrestle it from Gus’ hands.
The mattress creaked as Sarah jumped over the bed.
“Nellie!” Gus exclaimed and shoved his elbow towards Anna’s face, but she evaded his attack. He used that time to yank the pistol from her grip.
“Drop the gun,” Sarah commanded, pushing the barrel of her own gun against his temple. He paled and let go of his weapon. It clattered to the ground. “Kneel.”
“Wait. We can talk about—”
“I’ll go check on Nellie,” Anna said, retrieving the weapon from the floor. Her heart in her throat, she ran into the kitchen, checking every room along the way in case Nellie had hidden in one of them.
They’d been packing in the kitchen. Cupboards and doors were wide open—as was the back door to the garden. Warm air drifted inside.
Anna stepped onto the patio and stared into the garden but there was no sign of Nellie. Muttering a curse under her breath, she went back inside and locked the door.
Grabbing the cable ties from the kitchen counter, she returned to the bedroom. Sarah was still standing in front of Gus.
“Nellie’s gone.”
Gus’ eyes widened. “You’re lying. She wouldn’t leave me.”
Sarah scowled. “Nellie’s a coward, but without you she has no reason to kill anyone else.” Her finger found the safety and released it.
“Don’t shoot,” Anna cried.
Sarah stood frozen, the pistol shaking in her grip. She widened her stance, her jaw clenched, the blood draining from her knuckles.
“Let’s just tie him up.”
“I—” Sarah’s bottom lip quivered, and she gritted her teeth. “I don’t know what to do.” The gun shook in her grip. Her eyes flitted back and forth.
Anna frowned, taking in the terror contorting her sister’s face. “Sarah?”
Gus remained on his knees with his fingers interlaced behind his head, but his eyes were locked on Sarah.
Her sister looked dazed.
Any moment now, he’d pounce—
“Sarah!” Anna stepped behind Gus, grabbed his hands and tied his wrists together.
Sarah sank to her knees and dropped the gun onto the carpet. With her eyes wide and her hair dishevelled, she looked to Anna and sobbed. “I’m sorry. After what he did…”
Anna pointed her pistol at Gus. “Sit with your back against the bed.” Using more cable ties, she tied him to the bed frame.
“Please, we can—”
“And shut up.” Satisfied that Gus had been securely tied up, Anna rushed to her sister’s side and embraced her.
Sarah buried her face in Anna’s neck. “I—”
“Everything’s all right,” Anna said, stroking Sarah’s hair. Oreo bumped his wet nose against Anna’s cheek. “You were a brilliant dog. Good Oreo!”
“I almost shot a defenceless man.”
“He let Dad die. Tried to kill us. His wife tried to kill us.”
“This gun—” Sarah wiped her eyes with her sleeve, revealing sweat stains under her arm. “I met an injured soldier that morning I knocked out Chris. Someone had slashed his leg, and he was bleeding. He begged me to help him, and I…took his gun, left him and came to find you instead.”
“If you’d come any later, Chris would have—”
“I know. I know. But…” her voice trailed off and she brushed the hair out of her eyes. “I didn’t know that at the time. I just left him to die.”
Anna sighed. “I’m sorry. You should have told me.”
“I let someone die…”
“We’ll get through this, Sarah. We will.” Anna grabbed a tissue from her bag and handed it to Sarah.
Her sister wiped her eyes, blew her nose, then reached for the pistol and checked the safety before holstering it.
Anna collected the tins and clothes on the floor and stuffed everything back into her bag before crawling to her feet. “What do we do now?”
Sarah’s hand trembled, but her voice was steady. “Now we stock up on supplies. Repack our bags. Then we leave.”
“We need to clean up your face first.”
Sarah lingered in the doorway and threw a glance in Gus’ direction. “Has Nellie really left?”
“I couldn’t find her.” Anna grinned as sudden relief flooded her. They had freed themselves. They were safe. “Good riddance I say.”
“Hey! You can’t just leave me here.” Gus pulled on his ties, then kicked the bedside table.
“Watch us,” Anna said, closing the door to her old bedroom before he could say anything else.
“Wait—”
Sarah was staring at the closed door to the master bedroom where their father’s body was still lying on the rug.
Taking a deep breath, Anna pushed the door open.
She’d fantasised about a hundred different things to say to him, ways to make him listen, but he’d died before she found the strength to confront him.
And now she’d lost that chance.
She’d never have to fear him again, but she’d never be able to let him know how much he’d hurt her and how miserable her childhood had been. He would never know how much she’d feared him. How she’d felt happiest away from home, and how she’d always dreaded going back there.
Even as an adult.
She’d always planned on telling him all that and more. She’d picture him apologising to her and occasionally, she’d even forgive him in those scenarios. But more often than not, he’d walk away, and she’d be left angry and bitter.
What she’d never imagined was him dying before she could say anything.
That everything would remain unresolved.
Forever.
She stared at his grey face. His lips were slightly parted as if surprised by death. Stubborn accusation remained in his empty eyes, but perhaps that was just her imagination.
They hadn’t been able to save him. They’d been too late.
Sarah placed a hand on Anna’s shoulder and squeezed it. “What are you thinking?”
“Shouldn’t we—”
“What? Bury him?” Sarah rolled her eyes. She sounded like herself again. “Do you know how hard it is to dig a grave that is deep enough?”
Anna smiled. “You’re the one who kept repeating that he’s family.”
“I know, but that was before I met the murderous receptionist.”
A sense of darkness settled somewhere deep within Anna’s chest. They would have to do this over and over again. Face people they didn’t know and wonder if they could trust them. They’d have to be ready to kill.
And she knew that the day would come when they’d have to actually kill, and Anna feared it would turn them into something she would no longer recognise.
“Where are we going to go?”
Sarah glanced at their father’s body. “I don’t know. Anywhere but here.”
Anna nodded grimly and closed the door to the bedroom—the silent accusation on her father’s face forever burnt into her mind.
12
“Why can’t I come with you?” Tom asked, putting on his jeans. He slumped back onto the bottom
bunk and reached for his shoes.
“It’s safer here.” Chris bit back the word sweetie. He seemed comfortable here—with Maggie who called him Tom. Perhaps she needed to respect that her son was growing up and turning into a young adult. A man who no longer appreciated being called sweetie.
And—Chris had to admit—she couldn’t hand him a cricket bat and expect him to know how to wield it like a weapon while she was still coddling him.
He smiled at her and for a brief moment, he looked like the young boy who’d pick her up after a shift, standing by the hospital entrance, holding his father’s hand. “That’s my mum,” he’d sometimes say to people shuffling past. “She saves lives.”
He bent over to tie his shoes. “James and I can look after you. We can protect you.”
“Tom?” Chris waited for him to meet her eyes. “This isn’t a videogame. Some people out there carry real guns and are prepared to kill to get what they want. To make sure—”
The smile disappeared from his face, his stare hardening. “I know. You are some people.”
Chris blinked, eyebrows knitted together in suspicion. “Wait a minute. Do you—” She pursed her mouth, studying her son’s face. “Do you want to protect me, or do you want to keep an eye on me?”
He averted his eyes. “You promised you wouldn’t get us into any trouble.” He tied his shoes and grabbed his bag. “I don’t want you to go, but if you must—”
“Adam is terribly ill, Tom. They know that I’m a nurse.” Chris raked her fingers through her hair, untangling a few stubborn knots before tying it into a ponytail. “We talked about this. People trust us because I’m a nurse. Because they need nurses and doctors. I can’t just refuse to help.”
He huffed. “I know.”
Chris pressed her lips together. The parenting books weren’t lying when they said teenagers were stubborn. “Adam could die. I have to find antibiotics.”
“Tony will come back and—”
“We don’t know when James’ father will be back. It could be days.”
Tom frowned, picking at his cheek where an angry spot had scabbed over. “I thought you’d stocked up on medicine. Didn’t you say you’d taken some from work?”
Darkness Ahead of Us | Book 2 | Darkness Falling Page 10
