Flee

by Caroline Gebbie

  It took them less than five minutes to get some clothes for Doris. She found Jenny’s bag and dressed, relieved to cover her nakedness. They searched the house, listening for approaching vehicles, going through Roberts’s desk and cupboards, checking mail and paperwork. They had to find out where Robert had gone if they were to rescue Jenny. They were searching the kitchen drawers when they heard the sound of sirens approaching. “We have to go,” Alex said, cutting short their search.

  In Simon’s Audi, they turned out of the estate, just as the ambulance pulled in. Doris and Rosie were in the back, Alex driving, Simon in the front, a hat pulled down to cover his ravaged face.

  “Does Rosie need the vet?” Alex asked Doris.

  “No, well, not urgently. She’s a strong dog, a real hero.” She hugged the dog close, causing her to wiggle with delight.

  “You are going to have to tell me, how you did it someday,” Doris said causing a look to pass between the two men. Doris continued, “Both of you that is, I’ve seen the way you’re healing, Simon.”

  “We both did something terrible,” Alex answered.

  “Oh no. You did what Robert is trying to do.”

  “Yes.” This time it was Simon, the word slurred from his partial lips. “Only, in Alex’s day, the ritual was simpler and Aldona did not demand to be there.”

  “That’s it. He needs a seal, and he doesn’t have time to build one. Let’s hope you are the only person he knows who has sacrificed a child to Aldona,” Alex said, spinning the car around in a side street. He pushed the accelerator to the floor as he headed back in the opposite direction.

  “Wyleford Woods here we come.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Jenny sat in the car, her body stiff against the seat, she was unable to move or talk. Perspiration dripped down her face as she struggled to free herself from Robert’s spell. A vision of the policeman lifted off his feet came to her mind and nausea rose in her throat as she remembered him thrown against the wall his chest a red and messy sponge of tattered flesh and sinew. She fought hard to keep the bile down; it would not do to choke. She had to free herself to get back and help Simon and more than anything she wanted to hug Rosie.

  Robert sat next to her, a childish grin on his face. She could see the damage on the back of his head where she hit him. His hair was ruffled and sported a deep clot of dried blood. His throat, nose and lip were still ravaged. At the sight of the damage, she smiled inside, way to go Rosie. But he was healing quickly. From what she knew of magic he must have consumed a lot of blood recently to heal so quickly.

  “This is nice, don’t you think?” he asked, pausing for her to reply. “Not talking, dear? Good, that’s how I like my women.”

  He concentrated on the road, driving quickly through the narrow, twisty streets. Eventually heading the car out of Louth, he started to relax.

  “Did you see that chap with Rosie? Yes, of course, you did. Did you recognize him?” He turned in the seat, watching for any recognition in her eyes.

  She could do nothing and kept her eyes forward, praying he would look back at the road. The car was travelling at seventy miles an hour, and the roads here were not easy. She could feel herself twitching internally at approaching obstacles, her breath felt fast, her heart was hammering, yet she sat still as a statue. At least if I die in a car crash he can’t sacrifice me.

  That’s when the thought hit her. If it gets close to the time, she would kill herself. Deny him the power of the sacrifice. She must plan, get a weapon and not leave it too long. She could not afford to be under his influence when she needed to make her move. But only if it comes to that, she thought. Escape first. She relaxed, listening to his voice, no longer afraid.

  “Well, Jenny, that chappy was dear old’ Dad, Yes, that’s right your dad, wearing a glamour so you and the coppers would not recognize him.”

  His laugh grated on her nerves.

  “You see your little goody, goody dad performed the ceremony he’s trying to stop me from performing. Many years ago he murdered his first born.” He raised his hands to his mouth, leaving the steering wheel free. Mock horror covered his face. The car swerved, towards the side of the road, Jenny screamed inside, convinced they would crash.

  “So who is to say he’s not going to kill you himself?” He put his hands back on the wheel, calmly steering the car back on its course.

  Jenny was stunned. Joy that her father may be alive was followed with horror. Could her dad have done such a thing? And if not, how come he was alive. If he was alive, she had just seen a man, not her dad. She could feel her head spinning, the hope that he lived weighed against the revulsion that he may have murdered his own child. She remembered Rosie standing near the stranger, and that had seemed strange under the circumstances. Could this be true? Tears formed in her eyes and ran down her immobile face, dripping off to land on her jeans. Could this be true, and did mum know? She could not have loved a man who killed his own child.

  “And before you get too lovey, with Simon, shock horror.” He pulled his hands from the wheel again, looking at her, fists stuffed into his mouth.

  She jumped inside as the car hurtled down the road, Robert staring at her as a car careered past them, and corners rushed towards the Mercedes.

  “How do you think he survived being soaked in sulfuric acid? Good skin tone. Ah ha, we have another murderer.” He turned back to the road and jerked the wheel to negotiate a sharp bend. The car leaned violently over before recovering and speeding down the straight. The headlights lit up a tunnel in front of them, mesmerizing as they sped towards Simon’s house.

  Jenny was stunned. If both Simon and her dad had murdered, what was to stop them killing her? Especially her dad, who would feel he had the same to gain as Robert. Tears continued to fall down her face and a deep gnawing pain formed in her stomach.

  “So the two men who were there to rescue you are both murders. And what about little old’ Doris? Did you see her tattoo?” He laughed with glee, enjoying the confusion and torment he must be inflicting. He could see it within the fire in her eyes. “You see, Doris bears the mark of Aldona. She worships the god who would take your blood to make me immortal.”

  Jenny felt as if her head would explode. If these things were true, who could she trust?

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Alex pushed the Audi faster and faster, coaxing every bit of speed he could from the 4.2 liter V8. The superb handling allowed him to travel the country lanes faster than he should. But was it fast enough? How long had they lost under Simon’s spell? He fought back the despair that threatened to bury him like the rain clouds that blotted out the moonlight. There was little traffic on the road as they left Louth and powered down the A157. He had travelled this route many times, having the advantage over Robert that he knew where he was going. But he did not know how long the spell had held or how long they had been delayed. He thought long enough, Robert would have a good head start on them.

  Rain started to fall, a few drops landing on the windscreen. He fumbled to find the wipers in the strange car and just as he switched them on, the heavens opened. A great deluge of water hit the windshield, causing him to jump, his nerves stretching to breaking point. The rain reduced visibility, but Alex did not slow, just leaned forward, willing himself to see into the gloom.

  Doris and Rosie were curled up together in the back of the car. He caught a glimpse of them in the rear view mirror. Doris looked worried, her eyes wore dark rings and her face was thin and haggard. At least for now she could get some rest. Rosie’s head was on her lap, the dog snoring loudly, her eye still swollen and the bump on her head looking painful.

  Alex felt a lump rise in his throat. Jenny would be so happy Rosie was safe; the dog meant the world to her. If only they could stop Robert and save her also.

  They passed through Grimblethorpe. Half a dozen houses and five street lights made up the small hamlet. But they did not heed the reduction in speed limit, simply kept the car moving as fast as was p
ossible through the empty street. The village had appeared deserted and if felt like an omen of things to come. Alex shook his head, he was being stupid, people were simply tucked up safe in their beds. He powered the car into the countryside and darkness ambushed them as they left the streetlights behind.

  Next came Little Gayton, a few scattered houses and a café. They had visited there many times as a family, walking Rosie on an old abandoned airfield before enjoying tea and egg custard. Sometimes even Simon had joined them.

  He took a quick glance at Simon with the benefit of the street lights. The mage’s face was still terribly ravaged. The hole in his cheek where the acid burnt through was no longer all the way to the bone, but it would be many hours before his skin grew back. You could still see his teeth, his bottom lip burnt away, but at least the bleeding had stopped. And as far as he could see, the boils had all subsided. All in all Simon was lucky and in time he wouldn’t even bear a scar. But the healing would cost him strength, and they would need all they could muster. As they passed out of the village and back into darkness, the rain seemed to assault the windscreen with renewed vigor.

  “How are we doing?” Simon asked, his voice still slurred. “I could kill a drink.”

  “The rain has really slowed us down. Does Robert know where you live?”

  “He’s never been as far as I know, but he will be able to hone in on my seal. Damn it, I should have buried that thing years ago.”

  “Yes you should, and when this is over if you want a future with my daughter, I will see that you do.”

  “You wouldn’t mind?”

  Alex steered the car around a bend, quite whilst his attention was fully on the road. The car banked left, leaning over and raising a wheel as he took the corner just a tad too fast. They straightened up and headed on into the night. “Mind, would I mind?”

  The night looked as if it had been sent to slow them; trees shook violently, rain hurtled down so hard visibility should be zero. As it was, Alex had cast a spell around the car giving them twenty yards of clear view. It was a strange site from the windscreen, as if the car was enclosed in a plastic bubble racing through the storm. He glanced back at Simon. “I saw the way she was looking at you. I think seeing you so hurt, she realized how she feels.” He sighed, letting the breath out slowly through clenched teeth. He could feel a deep ache in his chest, the pain for Helen. He could not save his love, but he must save Jenny.

  “You may not know it -- but Helen and I talked about you. We knew she loved you, but she has this big problem with the magic. We were intending to get the two of you together somehow.” He paused, wiping a tear from his cheek, embarrassment keeping his eyes forward on the road ahead. “I’m not sure what she was going to do, but Helen had this plan for Saturday, Jenny’s birthday.”

  “At the big party?” Simon asked.

  “Yeah, but that’s all over now. Let’s just save her.”

  “Yeah.” The two friends sat in silence as the car continued to speed after Robert.

  Approaching Hainton, Alex saw the corner too late. He pulled the wheel to the right, and the Audi skidded. The car left the road, bumping across the verge, bouncing the passengers violently. Alex fought the bucking wheel, hauling the car towards the road, gravel sprayed along the underside as one front wheel struggled to regain the tarmac. The opposite wheel was sliding across the grass, pulling the car towards the hedge. Simon had his left hand braced against the window whilst Alex fought the car. They crashed into the hedge, branches snapping as they pounded the metal. The scratching was horrendous as the broken ends were dragged down the Audi’s sleek speeding body. They slipped further into the hedge. The car leaned precariously over to the left, feeling as if it would slip through the hawthorn and roll into the field beyond.

  Alex gasped as he pulled the wheel. Fighting against its wishes, he felt the right wheel gain the tarmac, the back end of the car slipping away for a second before following. They were back on the blacktop, their speed considerably reduced by their unwanted excursion. The car fishtailed for a second before righting itself. Alex pulled over, breathing heavily. He dropped his head to the wheel, his heart pounded in his chest and his hands shook on the wheel.

  “You ok mate?” Simon slurred, reaching a hand out to touch his friend.

  “I’m fine. Just need a second. How could I be so stupid? If we crash, what happens to Jenny?”

  “What’s going on?” Doris asked, peering between the seats.

  The two men laughed. She must have slept through most of the crash.

  Alex got out into the pouring rain, his spell lost during the crash. He walked around the car. The damage was not too bad, mostly scratches and a nasty dent in the rear door, but all superficial. He opened the driver’s door, trying to shake off as much water as he could before climbing back in.

  “What’s the damage?” Simon grinned, showing even more teeth in his maimed face.

  “Just scratches and a bit of a dent, we can carry on. Guess I’ll owe you when this is over.” He ran his hands through soaked hair, water falling from them to run down his back. Then wiped them on his legs, hoping to dry them before taking the wheel, but they ended up just as wet. He rubbed them together, suddenly feeling the chill of his wet clothes. Satisfied his hands were as dry as he could get them, he placed them back on the wheel and they set off.

  “How are we doing for progress?” Doris asked from the back seat.

  “Not that well. We’re about one third of the way to Lincoln, and it’s another twenty miles from there.” Simon turned towards her. “Doris, do you want to tell us about the tattoo?”

  She blushed in the rear of the car. Alex could feel her shame. He had also been curious about the tattoo. Had she given herself over to Aldona? Both of them bore her mark. He had seen Simon’s tattoo, on his right shoulder, and his own was like Doris’s, down the centre of his chest.

  “I can’t.” Doris’s voice was strangled. “He won’t let me.”

  The two men glanced at each other momentarily. Their eyebrows rose as realization hit them simultaneously. Alex turned back to the road, Simon towards Doris. He closed his eyes, concentrated and said, “Dimittam lingua vestra.” Release your tongue.

  Doris felt the weight of year's drop from her mind, tears flooded her eyes, and she leaned forward her head in her hands. She cried silently into her hands, all the years of torment finally over. She had thought about leaving Raseby after what Robert did, but it was her home, even though seeing him had often been torture. Helen had thought she did not like Robert and found him snobby. If they had known, maybe this would not have happened. “It’s all my fault,” she whined.

  Gently Alex said, “It’s not your fault. You can tell us, Doris we understand.”

  Weeping gently, she explained, “He did this to me years ago. He took me on a date. I don’t know what else he did, but I still have nightmares.” She sobbed into her hands, taking great gulps of air before she could continue. “He placed some spell on me, held me whilst he placed this tattoo on my body. And then he made it that every time I tried to talk, I sounded like some stupid girl prattling on about a lame date. It made me feel I imagined it. It’s over now, but damn I want to see him die.”

  “Way to go Doris,” Simon shouted from the front.

  “You don’t understand. If I had found a way to tell you, this would never have happened.” She sobbed out her pain.

  “No Doris, I am so sorry. I allowed this to happen right before my very eyes, and it was never your fault.” Alex slammed his hand against the steering wheel in frustration. “Robert is very powerful. If he could hide that power from us two, you had no hope. I just wish we could have stopped this. Believe me, you will see him die, that I promise.”

  Alex put his mind back on the road, grinding his teeth to control the anger that threatened to consume him. This bastard had destroyed his family, demolished all he held dear. He pushed the accelerator even harder, and the car responded instantly surging ahead on the slippery ro
ads.

  They reached Wragby, the half way point between Louth and Lincoln. He slowed the car marginally, negotiating the busier built up streets. They enjoyed the brief pause under the streetlights before heading back out into the dark countryside. Jaw set, eyes forward, brow furrowed, he forced the car to over eighty miles an hour as he headed towards Lincoln, on the treacherous, winding roads.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  Robert drove the Mercedes through the countryside towards the outskirts of Lincoln. The night was dark but fine. He could feel the storm behind him, and wondered if Aldona had invoked it to help his cause. Soon he would be coming to the bypass. He knew Simon lived the other side of Lincoln, but did not know the address. He could not afford this to slow him down. He was about half a mile from the bypass, and the scenery rushing past was still agricultural. There was field after boring field of either corn or potatoes. Even in the dark the landscape was tedious. It was nothing like the rolling hills and gentle meadows near his home. He wondered if he would ever be able to return to that home.

  He always knew it would be difficult with Sophie, James and his little cutie Sara. How do you explain that Daddy was no longer, a good looking trendy fifty-four, but was, in fact, now a vibrant twenty year old? Sophie was especially going to be a problem. He had groomed her to distrust magic, helping secure his cover all these years. She was bright as well. She would find out about the ritual, and then, well the meddlesome woman would be trouble. Should he kill her? This question had bugged him for the past few years. He had used magic to get her, the spell wearing her down. He still was not sure if he released it whether she would still love him. The holiday away from him for two weeks could see her not coming back. But she loved the kids, and firmly believed in families. No, she would not leave him for herself. She would think about the children. Maybe he could send a message to her telling her to stay and just send the kids back to him? He knew she would never fall for that. He could kill her, as long as the kids didn’t see. After all, he would want a younger mate to cope with his new body. He hoped he would gain the muscles that Simon had. Not the sissy blonde hair though.