‘Will he come back?’ Madison asked.
Daniel looked at the skies.
‘I love you, brother.’ he said.
He took hold of his sister, hugged her,
‘No, he’s gone.’ as he wiped away tears.
They took the short walk down the hill towards the cabin.
Chapter 52
How much more can we take? Daniel thought, as he, Wendy, Carol, James and Madison stood by the door. Just inside the cabin, the sight before them was one of horror. Marie Rose lay on the floor. She had been knocked unconscious. There was a trickle of blood on her forehead. She looked old and frail as she lay there.
Mickey Bolan stood there. Katy was held in front of him with a knife held at her throat. Katy caught Wendy’s eyes. Both had tears in their eyes.
‘We were just about to leave.’ said Mickey, his eyes wild, the knife hovering an inch from Katy’s throat.
‘I can’t allow that.’ said Daniel. He didn’t care much about Katy, but thought she had suffered enough, and no way was this guy walking out with her.
He had just lost his brother. That was his fault, his mistake. He wasn’t going to make another mistake today.
Mickey smiled.
‘Think yourself lucky. I wanted both girls, but I’ll just take my girl.’
‘She doesn't belong to you.’ said Wendy.
No one moved. Katy was staring out of the glassless window on the wall opposite her, and she understood what she had to do.
‘Let me go with him,’ she said ‘I’ll be fine.’
‘I can't let you, Katy.’
‘No, it’s okay. It’s my life. It’s what I deserve. Mickey is the guy for me.’
As Mickey released the pressure on Katy, and lowered the knife a few inches, thinking that he and his girl would just walk out, Katy reacted by letting herself fall to the floor, and roll out of the way, just as the bullet came through the window, hitting Mickey Bolan in the shoulder. It sent him sprawling to the ground screaming. Wendy and Katy ran to each other, embraced and kissed and cried.
‘I thought you were dead.’ said Katy.
‘I thought you were too.’
‘Where’s Todd?’
Wendy just hugged her. ‘He didn’t make it.’ she cried.
James was attending to Marie Rose, as Tracy Bates, Jezz and Becky walked in. Jezz was still holding the gun with which he had shot Mickey. Both girls looked at him.
‘Thank you.’ Katy whispered.
Jezz had seen what was happening, as he approached the cabin. He had been able to catch the attention of Katy. As Marie Rose came round, Daniel hugged his wife. There wasn’t a dry eye when they were all told what had happened.
‘The police and ambulances are on their way.’ said Tracy, and for once they were all glad, she had got involved.
Chapter 53
Bill Fenton was back where he belonged, back to where the only harm he could do was to like-minded people. He had been caught an hour after the rest had been airlifted away in ambulances. He had been found, roaming the forest in a daze, saying something about she had taken him out of his head. He was back in Cardiff prison where he had spent his previous years.
As he was brought in after being processed, they didn't put him with the remand prisoners. He recognised some old faces. Some cons greeted him, some scorned him, but most hardly noticed him. There were plenty in there who wanted revenge, and some grinned like Cheshire cats, as they thought of ways to get their revenge. None of this bothered Bill Fenton. He wanted what he had left behind, which was being top dog. He didn’t care how he got it. He had beaten people and been beaten since he was eight years old, and his mind was clearer now. He wouldn’t have his father to muddle things up now, because he was gone forever. She had taken his father’s voice from his head. Everything had worked out fine. He must thank her one day
The moment the sound of metal upon metal entered his head, as the steel doors were closed behind him, he felt more at home then he had felt for years. After all that had happened this was where he belonged. This would be where he would be at his best.
He would be up in front of the judge tomorrow, but it would be a short hearing as he would be sent to prison, whilst awaiting his trial. He knew the score, it didn’t bother him, nothing bothered him at all. He was back home.
Things had gone terribly wrong up in that forest. He had heard that his son, Todd, had died. That wasn’t supposed to have happened. He had cocked up big time. He knew that, but he was always destined to be back in here and for that reason, he wished he had killed them all.
He would start exercising again in the gym, get his strength and muscle back up, some of which he had lost since his release. He would befriend a few inmates, some that he could trust, some who had worked for him in the past and worked well. He would remind them how he always rewarded them, how he looked after them. If that didn’t work, then he would beat the shit out of them.
He lay on the bed of a single cell, exactly the same as the one he first went to in his previous imprisonment. He would soon have a better cell because he was better equipped this time. He was happy and he hadn’t felt happy for ages. The same guards, the same cell, the same conditions, more or less the same people. He had made it to the top before. He could do it again. Bill Fenton is back.
It was ten pm. Lights had just been put out. He just lay there on the lumpy mattress, his cell in darkness. The light in the corridor sending an eerie glow into his cell. It wasn’t silent. Prisons were never quiet even at night. There would always be someone shouting, screaming, claiming their innocence, banging on about the injustice. A few might be crying, scared, as it would be their first night inside. There was always somebody crying. He liked the criers. They were the easy ones to exploit. Tomorrow would be a new day. Tomorrow would be the day when he would announce his return. He drifted into a sleep, planning his many moves. He would dream tonight, he knew and they would be good dreams.
He only slept for about two hours, then he woke. No noise woke him, for the prison was unusually quiet. It was also unusually dark. He woke, sensing something. He woke, scared. Bill Fenton was never scared.
He knew no one was in his cell, because if they had come in, he surely would have heard the clink of metal as the door opened. His eyes became adjusted to the dark, as he lay on his bed. He could see that the cell was empty, but he could see something he hadn’t noticed before. He could see a light, not bright, but it was floating above him, hovering in mid-air. He suddenly felt short of breath as if someone was suffocating him. He put his hands to his throat, trying to remove what was choking him, but there was nothing there. No hands held his throat, no hands that he could feel. He gasped for air as he fought to breathe. He decided it must be a panic attack, so he tried to relax, but he was finding it increasingly harder to breathe. As he struggled, the light which hovered over him grew brighter. His hands started flapping now as he gasped for air, but that didn’t last long, as the last breath was taken from his body. There would be no top dog for Bill Fenton. Just before he took his very last breath and went to the hell that awaited him, just before he died, when the light was drifting away, he swore that he could see a face in the light. The autopsy would later reveal that Bill Fenton died in his sleep.
Chapter 54
Three months later
Todd’s body was never found. The forest was searched as thoroughly as was possible, using over a thousand volunteers, most of them rave-goers.
The family never expected a body to be found. They hoped that somehow he was floating around the skies somewhere. Wendy certainly hoped that was the case, he would never be dead to her.
Mickey Bolan lived and was charged with kidnap.
Sky News was there, they always were. It was a warm, sunny day even though it was mid-autumn. The skies really delivered today. The fields around Ashbourne were full of people. The roads had been closed except for those who were attending. Three months ago, the same people had attended for a rave. Today th
ey attended for a service in honour of Todd Fenton. A lot of the people wore T-shirts of superheroes, written on the back was ‘Todd the ultimate.’ It would be the biggest service in Ashbourne’s history, probably the biggest service in South Wales.
There were massive sounds systems around the estate, so that everyone could hear. They all hoped Todd was listening, they were sure he would be. The vicar’s words were sincere and heartfelt, the song sung by Wendy Cross brought tears to everyone’s eyes, she sang a song about her Todd. It was as though the whole world paused as she sang. She had promised herself not to cry, but she broke her promise.
When she returned to her seat, Katy hugged her close.
‘That was beautiful.’ she told her as she smiled, showing a full set of perfect teeth.
The guests were unlimited, but there were certain guests who took the front pews.
Carol Fenton, the news of her ex-husband’s death was the one good thing that came out of it. She would never mourn for him. She missed Todd deeply. Every minute of the day, she seemed to think of him, how much happiness he had brought. She would always miss him. In Madison, she had gained a daughter and she had remained extremely close to Marie Rose and James McCarthy. She had had the roof fixed, and was as close as she ever could be to Wendy, who she hoped would find someone to love again, but expected it would take a long time.
Her home now seemed empty and she thought about moving to be near her elderly mum and dad. She had started dating again, well, not really dating. She had met a man and had gone for dinner twice with him. She wasn’t sure if she could let a man into her life again. Time heals, as they say. She would later marry this man, but she didn’t know it yet. It would be a long time in coming. Life would be as good as it could be, considering that she had lost her son.
She looked as beautiful as ever. Today, even as the tears flowed, she still looked beautiful.
Daniel and Becky Fenton. Daniel missed Todd more than he ever thought was possible. The brother who used to annoy him, irritate him, pinch his beer and never have any money. The brother for whom he would do anything, even die for. He wished he had died instead. It was only yesterday that he had seen someone doing a window round and he almost got out to give the boy a hiding, telling him it was Todd’s round, but he let it go. He had to. He had got the roof fixed on his mum’s house, but at first he didn't want to get it done. He used to like standing in the street, looking at it, hoping Todd would come back. He never did. Life would never be the same again, without his kid brother. After all, it was all his fault. He had sworn to protect him, to hide him from the outside world. He had failed that task.
His marriage to Becky grew stronger, even though she still blamed herself a lot. Their marriage would survive this. It had to, otherwise it was all for nothing. Today as they stood in church, neither of them was aware of the thing that grew inside her. Later, Daniel, inspired by the tales of Jezz and Katy and the life they lived, would stand for Parliament, and try to make a difference. His financial life long past, together with all the dodgy dealings that went with it. They will call their son Oliver Todd. Daniel will always blame himself, not his father, not the kidnappers. It will always be Daniel Fenton who had lost his brother.
Marie Rose and Dr. James McCarthy, both have had a new lease of life. Both mourn the loss of Todd. Marie Rose sold up and has moved down south to Marshfield, a place just outside Newport. James has done the same and lives two streets away, having retired as a GP. They are very close to the Fenton family. Marie Rose enjoying the time with the one grandson she had left. She also felt responsible, and she would often think that it was all her fault for what had happened many years ago and only ended months ago.
James’ gift seemed to have gone for which he was grateful. He was now very close to his cousin. He was happy once more. He had a family again, and he would cherish it.
Neither will ever forget that day, nor explain it. They knew they had become a part of it, plucked up into the skies. They will both live to a ripe old age.
Jezz Dwayne and Tracy Bates. Tracy was sacked, but after seeing the events of that day it didn’t really bother her. She worked as a receptionist at a Solicitors’ in Newport, and, believe it or not, her closest friend is Becky Fenton, the one who once called her ‘big tits’ and decked her with one punch. They meet up regularly and often go out in a foursome with Jezz and Daniel.
Oh yes, Jezz, good old Jezz. He is on the straight and narrow now. He has moved in with Tracy at her flat, he has got a job labouring at the moment, but he hopes for better things. They had fallen madly in love with each other. Jezz would never forget the friendship he had with Wendy and Katy, he thought it was them who helped him turn his life around. Tracy regards Daniel as a big brother now. Jezz and Tracy will marry in two years’ time.
Katy Harrison. She spent two weeks in hospital and she had nightmares for a while. It seemed that every night in hospital when she woke up screaming, Wendy Cross would be there, holding her hand, telling her it would be okay. Wendy took her home when she was released, caring for her until she was well. She moved her into the spare room, found her a job at the same cafe where she worked and went with her when she got her teeth done. And, as Madison Hughes told her after that, she really did scrub up well. Katy had become Wendy Cross’ best friend and soon became friends with the Fenton’s. Her life had been turned round now. She was happy. She had a mother, as in Wendy’s mother and life was good. It will always be hard for the likes of Katy Harrison to stay on the straight and narrow. She will try, but whether she succeeds, who knows. She certainly deserves to, but those demons never completely go away.
Madison Hughes, the stunning Madison Hughes, was with her mum and dad today. They accepted her new family, but there were rules, always rules. Today they were here to support her at Todd’s memorial. Madison will never ever accept what happened. She will go searching for answers, for as long as she can. She saw Todd. He didn’t die, she would say, he just disappeared and people don’t disappear. Something took him. She would drive everyone crazy with that idea.
Madison Hughes, the real hero of that day, was loved by everyone, especially by Wendy Cross. Maybe that’s because Wendy wanted to believe the idea too. She remained up north with her mum and dad, but would visit almost every weekend, during the life in front of her. The beautiful Madison will break many a heart and the Fenton’s will love her as a daughter and sister. Her parents will accept that, as she gently drifts from them. Madison will never reach her full potential, not until she has found the answers and even as she's in church today in a memorial to her brother, whom she knew for less than thirty six hours, she has a feeling she knows where to start. She will see Carol as her second mum and grow very close to Daniel, who will always look after his kid sister. She hopes that one day he will help her find their brother, because, as Madison would repeatedly say ‘He didn’t die. There was no body.’ All this couldn’t have happened just so that she could watch her brother die. There was no sense in that. There was no justice. There were still answers to be found. There was no closure, not for the beautiful Madison.
Wendy Cross had only been in hospital for one night. She had been healed on that hillside as her lover drifted away. Todd had saved her after all. She had grown close to Katy because she thought that some good had to come out of that day and she needed someone to love. She needed something in her life. They had spent thirty six hours in hell together. That had to account for something. She loved Madison, loved her to bits, and wanted to believe her when she said she would get answers. But how could she believe? Wendy was there. She heard Todd say goodbye.
Although she was surrounded by people she loved and they loved her, she often wandered round in a daze. As young as she is, Wendy Cross will never love another man.
The service was over and those special guests were on their way back to Carol’s. The party started, but no one thought it would be like the previous one, as the thousands who had come were now making their way back, after paying their res
pects to a man who no one completely understood.
The special guests were now in Carol’s house, eating food, drinking wine.
When Wendy told them she was going upstairs, only Carol guessed where.
Wendy stood in Todd’s room in front of the old wardrobe, which was just too big for that room. The doors were closed, but soon she would open them. She just wanted to stand there for a moment, to breathe in the smell. She opened the doors, the inside looked huge, like looking into a bottomless well. She stepped into the wardrobe, sat down and closed the doors, pulling her knees to her chest. She sat like that for ten minutes, as she tried to stop her tears. She composed herself, drying her eyes on her sleeve. She licked her lips, then gulped.
‘Are you there, Todd?’ she asked.
‘I’m here, Wendy.’ came the reply.
Part Two
The Saga Continues.
Prologue
He had to save that life or it all would have been all for nothing. It wasn’t a nightmare that he could wake up from, or a dream that had just got out of control. He wasn’t levitating as a small child and laughing as he looked down on himself and his brother lying in the bed, his brother? His brother was there, he would save her, but hadn’t he come too late? Hadn’t they all been too late? She was dying he had to do something even if it meant giving up his life for her, he loved her, cherished her, he would do that. In fact He thinks to himself I’ve already done it.
The Fenton Saga: Never Say Goodbye / There Was No Body. Page 25
