RETRIBUTION RIDGE: a dark, gripping and intense suspense thriller

by Anna Willett

  Judith moved closer and spoke, “Milly?” Her voice sounded small and childish like a frightened child calling her big sister when everyone else was asleep. “Mil?” Judith’s shoulders quivered. She flopped down next to her sister, her head bobbing with exhaustion.

  Milly’s hazel eyes were open, her lashes damp as if she’d been crying. A soggy brown leaf clung to her left cheek. Without thinking, Judith reached out and brushed it away. She pulled her hand back as if it had been slapped. Her sister’s skin felt lifeless, like damp clay still soft and malleable, but without warmth or vitality. A smear of blood, dark and dry lined Milly’s upper lip.

  Judith’s heart wavered, missing a beat then righting itself. Instinctively, she put her hand to her chest. We’ll talk when this is over. Judith’s body sagged, she screwed her eyes closed as her sister’s pleading face flashed in her mind. I did this to her. The guilt hit her like a punch in the chest. I brought her out here promising a reconciliation. I dangled it in front of her knowing she’d come and then … Judith’s thoughts faltered. She raised her hands as if pleading with her sister’s lifeless form, then dropped then in her own lap.

  I knew she’d come if I asked, Judith thought bitterly. She always came running if she thought I needed her. Even that night at Blackwell Reach, Milly had been so desperate to save her sister, she’d panicked and pushed Drew off the cliff.

  “Oh, Mil.” Judith let out a shuddering sob. “Don’t go.”

  She picked up Milly’s hand, flinching at the feel of her rapidly cooling skin. The nails were dirty and the skin streaked with grime. Judith stroked the back of her sister’s hand. She was really hurt and I didn’t even say anything kind. Judith pressed her sister’s hand against her own forehead and swayed back and forth.

  Minutes passed, Judith wasn’t sure how long she held Milly’s hand, only that the light dimmed. Her throat burned and her face felt raw. Sound began to register – insects chirped and branches rustled. She put Milly’s hand down, laying it across her sister’s chest. Before standing, she allowed herself one last look at her sister’s face. Milly’s hazel eyes looked dull, clouded.

  Judith pulled her gaze away. Thoughts of Lucas and what he’d done to her sister pushed through the grief. He was a killer. His brother killed William and brutalised Harper, was it any surprise that Lucas was just as dangerous? He’s no better than an animal. A cold lump formed in her chest. She clenched her teeth and turned away from her big sister’s body. She wanted Lucas dead. Whatever warped scenario he was playing out, she intended to put a stop to it.

  “You’re back,” his husky voice startled her. Judith spun around.

  A maze of trees and shadows. Everywhere she looked, tall dark shapes. Judith’s pulse quickened. She flicked her head left then right, damp hair sticking to her face. Had she heard his voice or imagined him behind her? The evening air carried a chilly wind, stirred the branches and whispered through the forest. She’d left the hoodie folded under Harper’s head. In only a denim shirt and shorts, Judith shivered.

  “I was going to come looking for you,” his voice bounced off the trees, buffeted by the wind. “Did you run into Archie?”

  Judith resisted the urge to reach for the knife. When he approached, he wouldn’t be expecting her to be armed. She hoped it might give her an advantage. “You’re a psycho,” Her voice trembled. “You and your brother.”

  The seconds ticked by. The wind made it difficult to hear his movements. From the corner of her left eye, she thought she caught a shifting. Judith whipped around, breath puffing out in short gasps. Branches and shadows merged together making it impossible to distinguish a human form. A crackle of leaves to her right. Judith jerked around.

  For a moment, she saw only trees turned grey by the dying light, then her eyes picked up his shape. Lucas stood maybe eight or nine metres away between a grass tree and a thin gum. His broad frame filled the gap with solid darkness. Judith’s heart rate ratcheted up another notch. Her hands were trembling so violently, she wondered if she could even grasp the knife.

  “That’s funny, Judith,” he laughed. The sound set her teeth on edge. “You calling me a psycho. You and your sister killed my brother, but you think I’m a psycho.”

  Judith shook her head trying to process his words. What did he mean? Archie wasn’t dead. She opened her mouth to protest when he raised his head and his face appeared from the shadows. How did I not see it! His voice, his eyes. Oh God, even the shape of his face. Drew. He was talking about Drew not Archie. Judith took a step back. It was like seeing a ghost. The ghost of his long dead brother inhabited his face.

  Lucas stepped forward, his arms relaxed at his sides. A shaft of light fell across his face and Judith realised why she hadn’t recognised him. Mostly because it had been ten years since she’d last seen Drew, but also because Lucas was different in one fundamental way. There was no spark of kindness in his countenance. Drew, at least the Drew she remembered, had a kind, open face. There was something compelling in his voice and features. In comparison, Lucas looked coarse and brutish.

  “What happened to Drew was an accident.” Judith shuffled back another few centimetres. “We never meant for him to …” Not sure how to finish, she let her words trail off.

  “Die?” Lucas offered. “The accident thing doesn’t really work now, does it?”

  “It was an accident.” Judith kept her eyes on him and tried to move to her left.

  He side-stepped with her. “I heard Milly. When you two thought I was unconscious.” He waved his hand and for the first time, Judith noticed he held a knife. “So don’t say it was an accident.” His voice took on a cold edge. “Me and Archie, we’ve heard that for ten years. We didn’t believe it then, and…” he stretched out the word, “I don’t believe it now. Not when I had it straight from the horse’s mouth.” He pointed the knife to the left.

  Judith couldn’t help looking over her shoulder to where her sister lay motionless. The sight of Milly’s body brought the horror rushing back. Judith felt a fresh wave of grief threaten to crush her. She tore her gaze away and made herself focus on the man in front of her. His stance now less relaxed and more threatening, Lucas began to close the gap between them. Judith searched for something to say. Anything that would keep him talking and give her time to think.

  “Is that why you killed my mother?”

  Lucas blinked several times in succession. “It wasn’t me, it…” He stopped. His brow wrinkled. “How do you know?”

  Judith licked her lips. She had his attention now. Maybe telling him about Archie might take his focus off her. On the other hand, finding out Harper had bashed his brother’s skull in might push him over the edge.

  “Your brother, Archie, he’s the one that killed my mother. Why? Did you tell him to? We killed Drew, so you and your brother kill my mother and my sister.” Her voice cracked on the last word. Before he could speak, she continued, “I don’t think that’s it though. I think your brother is a psychopath who enjoys killing.” She put her hands on her hips edging the fingers around her back towards the knife. “Maybe you do too.”

  Lucas lifted his jaw, she could see the muscles in his neck bunched and straining. “You don’t get to judge us.” He pointed the knife at her. “You’re a killer just like her.” He motioned to Milly only this time Judith refused to look where he pointed. “Archie was a mixed-up kid, but Drew was good with him.” Even in the dim light, Judith could see Lucas’s eyes take on a dreamy look. “Dad left when we were little, but it didn’t matter ‘cause we had each other. Mum relied on Drew, he was going places and we were going with him.” He hesitated, running his free hand through his thick, dark hair. “When he died, Mum couldn’t cope. She started drinking again and then one day … One day, she stepped in front of a train.”

  Judith let out a long breath. She didn’t want to hear his story. Listen to his crazy reasoning, but she found herself imagining what it must have been like for the two boys losing their brother and then the only person they h
ad left.

  “They put us in a foster home,” Lucas’s voice hardened. “Allan, that was his name – he started doing things to Archie. He was just a kid, thirteen.” He sniffed and swiped at his nose with the back of his hand. The blade caught the light. “When Archie told me, I tried to stop Allan … He hit me so hard, his fist broke my eye socket.”

  “Lucas, I’m so sorry.” She hadn’t meant to speak but the words were out before she could stop herself. Once she’d spoken, Judith realised how much she meant what she said. But her words seemed to only anger him.

  “We don’t need your pity.” He took a step closer. “A couple of years ago, Archie paid Allan a surprise visit. His face creased in a grin that made the hairs on the back of Judith’s neck stand up. “Allan won’t be messing with any more kids.”

  “Lucas please.”

  “My name’s not Lucas. It’s Martin. Martin Crowell.” He chuckled. “The Werd part was Archie’s idea. He’s always been a clever kid. Werd, Drew backwards. Smart, huh?”

  Judith shuffled her feet back, just a fraction. “Do you really think you’re helping your brother by letting him kill people? By killing my sister?”

  “I didn’t kill your sister. You did.” His words hit her like a slap in the face.

  “No … You did. I found her there.” Judith turned her body and looked to where her sister’s body lay sprawled near a tree.

  “You told me to let her drop. That was the deal right?” Judith turned back to Lucas. No, not Lucas, she reminded herself. Martin. “What are you talking about?” Even as she asked, a part of her began to understand. There were no marks on Milly. No stab wounds. No signs of violence.

  “The fall killed her. It just took a bit longer than it should have.”

  Judith moaned. Not wanting to hear anymore. “My guess is, a fractured skull. She must have been in a world of pain by the end. That’s down to you.” He pointed the knife at her chest.

  She shook her head. Maybe he’s lying. She latched onto the idea but couldn’t make herself believe it. Her stomach clenched, acrid liquid filled her mouth. She lurched sideways and let the foul-tasting bile spew out. The mess hit the ground, plopping on fallen leaves and damp earth with a thick dribbling sound.

  Her arms were suddenly jerked behind her. Martin pulled her backwards pushing her wrists together until her shoulders burned with the strain. Judith gasped, being yanked backwards. She could hear him grunt with the effort of moving her. Her feet kicked out in front of her skidding through twigs and forest rubble. She tried to keep pace with his movements.

  He spun her sideways and the forest and sky swirled around her. The left side of her face collided with something solid. The impact snapped her teeth together and Judith bit the inside of her cheek. Sickly sweet blood filled her mouth.

  With her face pressed against the rough bark of a pine tree, Judith struggled to keep her footing. Martin’s hands clutched her forearms, pressing them together behind her back.

  “I’m not enjoying this, Judith. But the sooner it’s over, the sooner Archie and me can move on.” He pressed his face against the back of her neck, she could feel his breath on her skin. Where was his knife? Her mind worked frantically. He’d used both his hands to swing her around, maybe he’d dropped the knife.

  As if hearing her thoughts, Martin let go of her arms. The burning pressure on her shoulders released and Judith whistled out a breath between her teeth. The weight of his hand pressed the flesh between her shoulders, pinning her to the tree. She heard his shirt rustle. Something cold pressed against her right cheek.

  “I’ve called the police,” she made her voice flat and unafraid. “They’ll be here soon. Don’t make things worse for yourself, stop all this now.” With her hands free but still behind her, she felt for the knife hidden under her shirt.

  Lucas’s body twitched and shifted against her. “You’re lying. Archie’s got the phones.”

  Now it was Judith’s turn to laugh. When her lips parted, she felt blood trickle down her chin. “You and your brother are not as smart as you think.” Her fingers worked the fabric of her shirt, flicking it back and out of the way.

  “What are you talking about?” His face pressed close to her ear, she guessed he must be crouching behind her.

  “You both thought he could take Harper on his own.” Judith chuckled spraying blood through her lips. “Last time I saw him, he was in bad shape. Harper really put him out of action.” Her fingers closed around the hunk of fabric covering the knife’s handle.

  “You’re a fucking liar!” Martin bellowed into her ear.

  Judith winced and swallowed blood. “See for yourself.” She twisted her head around so she could see Martin’s face. “I cut a piece of his vest off just before I tied him up.” Her voice sounded raspy and cruel. She almost didn’t recognise it as her own. “He wasn’t able to put up a struggle by then.”

  “What?”

  She caught Martin’s confused frown in the corner of her eye. He stepped back to see what she was reaching for. The pressure between her shoulders released. Judith slid the knife out of her back pocket and turned her right shoulder so she was almost side on with the middle of his body.

  He still crouched behind her, knees bent slightly. His gaze on the torn piece of fabric. She couldn’t see his hands but knew he still held his knife ready to strike.

  “Where did you…”

  Holding her knife at an awkward angle behind her back, Judith lunged out and downwards. The blade landed in the muscle of Martin’s thigh. It slid through his flesh with a wet slurp. He screamed and stumbled back clutching at the handle. Judith broke free and ran. Ahead of her a jagged shaft of light fell between the trees. The clearing she’d crossed lay ahead. She knew if she made it into the open, he’d never be able to catch her, not with an injured leg. She broke into a sprint.

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Harper raised her head. A grumbling roar filled the air above the pit. Dirt sprayed over her, scratching her face and sticking to the blood on the sides of her mouth. She opened her lips to call out but her words were snatched up in a whirlwind of cold air. What if they can’t see me? Her exhausted mind raced. After fighting so hard to survive, she couldn’t just lie there and let her last chance slip away.

  She made another attempt to sit up but a dagger of agony sliced through her chest. Harper let her head drop back against the wet hoodie. The dirt continued to fly around her. Her mind threw up images of the witch flying though the tornado in The Wizard of Oz. “I’m like Dorothy,” she whispered.

  “Dorothy? Is that your name, sweetheart?”

  Harper jerked sideways. She cried out and shrank from the male voice so near her face. Flying dirt and leaves clouded her vision. She batted at the man with her left hand. It’s him. Somehow he’s freed himself and now he’s going to put his hands on me. “No. No, please don’t.” Harper raised her voice trying to be heard over the roar above.

  “My name’s Trent. I’m a police officer.” His voice, calm and deep broke through her panic. “You’re safe, Dorothy. We’re here to help you.”

  Harper tried opening and closing her eyes. The dirt and debris flying around her seemed to clear, but only slightly. Did I hear a voice or was that in my head? She raised her left hand and groped the air. Her fingers brushed something slippery and cold. Fabric of some kind? Her hand slid over the smooth surface before becoming encased in warm flesh.

  “It’s alright, were going to get you out of here. You’re safe.” This time, there could be no mistaking what she saw. A police officer, not an apparition, held her hand.

  Harper let out a long shuddering wail and squeezed the man’s hand, afraid it might disappear like smoke if she let go. Other voices floated back and forth across the pit. Heavy boots crunched through the damp earth close to her head and alongside her body.

  “It’s okay, Dorothy, you’re safe.” He repeated the reassurance like a soothing mantra. Harper didn’t think she’d ever tire of hearing those two words. Y
ou’re safe.

  “I’m Harper,” she tried to make herself heard over the roar from above and the throng of activity surrounding her.

  “What’s that?” He squeezed her hand. “What did you say?”

  “My name’s Harper,” This time her voice sounded stronger. Not quite her old self, but certainly closer.

  He leaned over her, blocking the whirlwind and revealing his features. Sandy hair and blue eyes. Steady eyes – calm. “We’re going to move your friend over there first. When we’ve got him in the helicopter, you’ll go up next.”

  “He’s not my friend,” her voice trembled. “He did this.” The blue eyes widened and the cop, Trent she thought he had said, called out to someone. His voice sounded urgent but still unfazed.

  Her chest burned and her eyes felt raw, the lids weighed down as if with clumps of dirt. She let them drop. Voices buzzed senselessly. Harper fell into blackness.

  * * *

  Judith’s legs scissored forwards ready to pick up speed. Before she’d made it two steps, her head jerked back and her body ran out from under her. Martin’s fist, tangled in the back of her hair, snatched her mid-stride. Judith’s back hit the ground with a thump and the air spat out of her lungs. Her mouth worked opened in a grimace trying to draw in blocked air. The sky, visible in bars through the tree tops, glowed grey and orange.

  Sound rushed back with a wheezy breath. Air filled her lungs; Judith gulped it in, her chest heaving. She drew her knees up and then felt them forced down. Martin’s face appeared above her blocking the sky.

  “Where’s my brother, you bitch?” He sat on her thighs, his weight pinning her legs. His face close to hers, she could see herself reflected in his almost black eyes.

  His hand wrapped around her neck, he started to squeeze. Judith’s hand pushed his chest pulling his shirt open. His bulk felt like a solid immovable wall. “What did you do to Archie?” He sprayed her with spittle.