by Kat Green
‘Come on, or are you next in line?’
‘Shut up! You wouldn’t dare do this me.’ She tried to sound brave and strong, but her voice faltered as he glared at her.
‘Oh, I would.’ He laughed, a self-assured laugh, and gestured for the girl to complete her task. After a few seconds of glaring at each other, the girl rubbed the snow into Nancy’s hair. Amy saw the remorse in her eyes but that wouldn’t erase her guilt or the part she’d played. Two of the other kids were following orders more willingly but they didn’t seem completely comfortable. The boy who seemed in charge showed no remorse, he was enjoying himself. They couldn’t have been older than fifteen, silly kids unaware of the pain they were causing. But one girl did. She tried to hide the tears, but Amy saw it, and couldn’t take her eyes of the young girl.
Ella was sobbing. ‘This is horrific. The fucking horrible bastards.’
Amy didn’t speak. She was horrified as something suddenly occurred to her. She couldn’t say it, she needed to see what happened next.
The minutes passed, and the bully boy grew bored. ‘Don’t worry, Nancy, just stay here for a while and I’ll come and let you go. You can be our friend if you do.’
A promise of friendship Jimmy never intended to keep. As they walked away from the screaming girl they all thought Jimmy would return and let Nancy go, she just had to stay a little longer.
Amy charged forward, intent on freeing the girl. She could see her thrashing at her ropes and begging. ‘It’s OK, I’ll help you,’ Amy screamed as she ran, Ella following behind seething with rage. They ran towards the girl, but it was empty and silent, just darkness.
‘Nancy,’ Amy screamed.
Ella spun round searching for anything to make sense of their recent vision. ‘Where did she go?’ A rustling to their left made them stop and listen. The leaves around them froze as Nancy stumbled forward. Her hand gripped something, and she dragged something heavy behind her.
‘Now you know, they have to pay,’ Nancy wheezed, her voice splintered with each word.
Ella let out an ear-shattering scream. ‘Dean!’ Nancy was holding his ankle firmly. Amy’s heart hammered in her chest and she didn’t know what to do.
Amy turned away from Ella. ‘He’s an innocent guy. You want to punish those who did it. Tell me who and I’ll find them. Please don’t hurt my friends.’
Nancy’s face changed from rage to confusion. ‘Innocent, soon you’ll know. It’s already beginning to sink in. Your eyes tell me so.’
Amy took a step forward. ‘I don’t understand.’
Unexpectedly Nancy began to cry, tears from her empty eye sockets ran down her rotting face.
‘I’m sorry but this is the only way,’ Nancy hissed, angling her head to one side as if listening to something in the distance. The movement was quick, as Nancy dropped to her knees and scuttled off the way she’d come like an animal.
‘They are here.’ The whisper came through the wind, triumph in Nancy’s voice.
Amy buckled at the knees, everything went dark and she fell forward. The softness of the floor was familiar, and as she opened her eyes Ella was cradling her knees and rocking.
‘Where did he go?’
They were back in Amy’s living room, but there was no sign of Dean. There was no blood, nothing. Amy rolled onto her back. The ceiling was the same, white paint with a few small bits that had flaked off. The truth ran around in her mind, and her heart broke. All she knew and loved was now tainted.
The knocking and the sound of her gran brought her back from her trance. Jumping to her feet she ran to the door, expecting to find it locked. It opened easily, and she stumbled at the unexpectedness of it. On her doorstep stood Lee, Jake, her gran and a man Amy didn’t know, but something about him seemed familiar.
‘Get inside, all of you now,’ Amy ordered.
Her gran was the last through the door, reluctant as she looked around the hall. As she came through the doorway, she was thrown forward and the door slammed shut. Their escape route was sealed again.
‘Living room, now,’ Amy said, anger in every word. She stood in the middle of the room as everyone waited for her to speak.
Lee held his hand out to her. ‘What’s wrong?’ he asked, but she didn’t take his hand. She looked at her gran who wouldn’t look up from the floor.
‘Nancy showed us some things, things I can’t ever erase. I think Dean is dead.’ Everyone looked at Ella, who sat in the corner looking devastated.
Amy explained what had happened. ‘When we woke up back here, there was no sign of Dean. Who knows if he was even there or a trick, but it looked real enough.’ Amy stepped closer to her gran and lowered herself to face level.
‘Gran, I think you need to explain what the hell is going on.’
The stranger who had arrived with Edith shifted in his seat but took hold of Edith’s hands. ‘It’s time, Edith, it’s time.’
Amy suddenly remembered the man standing outside her gran’s house. ‘You,’ Amy snapped. Peter nodded in acknowledgement. ‘I think I know who you are.’
Peter smiled, a sad smile. ‘It’s lovely to meet you, Amy, although the circumstances could be better.’ Amy ignored him and turned again to her gran.
‘You saw what happened, didn’t you? All of it?’ Pain was etched in Edith’s face, and sorrow and shame.
‘I saw enough. I saw the cruelty Nancy suffered. I don’t understand how anyone could be so cruel.’
Sixty-two years of holding her secret in had been hard and Edith screwed up her face in pain. ‘I’m sorry, oh god, I’m so sorry. I never wanted to hurt her. I didn’t know it would end like it did.’ Her shoulders slumped forward, and her head hung low.
‘We were just stupid kids, playing silly games.’ Peter was pale as he spoke.
Amy jumped to her feet. ‘Silly games, really?’ Peter looked shocked at the reaction as Amy screamed out the words. ‘You tied her to a tree, you taunted her, kicked dirt at her. You left her to die.’ She jabbed her finger at Peter and then turned to her gran. ‘I looked up to you, idolized you. I’m sickened by this. Explain to me how any of this can be put down as silly games. Seeing the younger version of you, doing all that was heartbreaking.’
Edith grabbed Amy’s hand, and pulled her closer. ‘Please let me explain. It wasn’t what you think. I didn’t want to do any of it. I didn’t know until it was too late. I didn’t know.’
Amy had seen the reluctance on her gran’s face, the child version of Edith Woods. But it didn’t change the fact that she’d been involved. ‘You didn’t stop it, that’s the problem.’
Edith breathed in deeply then began to tell the story of that night. ‘You have to hear it all. What she showed you was only a small part of what happened. I swear I never thought he’d take it so far.’
12
(November 1956)
Edith pulled on her coat and skipped out the front door. Jimmy was waiting in the street, a scarf covering most of his face. He was a year older than her, just turned fifteen. He was handsome, and confident. Edith thought he was wonderful. Jimmy was popular, most people loved him. But some called him a bully and a pest. Edith thought the sun shone out of his backside. He could do and say anything, and she’d hang on his every word.
‘Come on, Edith, it’s freezing,’ Jimmy called She skipped towards him beaming from ear to ear ignoring the cold. Jimmy had come to her house and asked her to join him with the others, and in Edith’s eyes that had to mean something. Normally he’d be with Peter, his best friend, and she’d meet them somewhere.
‘Where are we going?’ she asked, sounding excited.
Jimmy smiled and grabbed her hand. Both hands were gloved but Edith felt butterflies doing dive bombs in her stomach. ‘To the woods. We invited Nancy.’
It was only then that Edith realized the smile on his face wasn’t a nice smile but more a smirk. Edith had always thought Nancy was a nice girl, a bit quiet and nerdy but sweet. She was pleased she was coming along as it always seem
ed unfair that she was alone most of the time. ‘Nancy? I didn’t know you were friends.’
‘We’re not, but she’d like to be. I thought we’d have a bit of fun.’
Edith didn’t know what he meant by that, or consider how the night would end. ‘Are you going to be a bit kinder to her now?’ There was hope in her voice. ‘If she passes the test.’ He smirked again. Edith felt uneasy but followed him regardless.
After a cold fifteen-minute walk they arrived at the woods. There was a park just before the entrance to the woods and Peter and Brenda were sat on the swings, waiting, giggling loudly.
‘First mark against her already,’ Jimmy said, that smirk again. Nancy was late.
‘Edith,’ Brenda called and waved. Edith skipped over and hugged her friend. Peter stayed on the swings, and his face dropped as he glanced at his best friend.
‘You’re not still mad with me, are you?’ Jimmy teased, jabbing Peter playfully in the ribs.
Peter pushed him away. ‘That depends. Are you still going through with this idea of yours?’
Jimmy laughed. ‘Of course. Don’t be such a baby. It’s just a bit of fun. You’re a right wet blanket.’
Peter didn’t look happy but seemed to let whatever they’d fallen out about go.
Then Jimmy turned and shouted, ‘Nancy.’ He waved the nervous girl over and she joined the group. She’d done her hair in ringlets and was wearing her best red jacket over a blue dress. Jimmy put his arm around her shoulders and he seemed friendly. Nancy relaxed as the group welcomed her.
The first hour was pleasant, as they chatted and used the park, pushing each other on the swings and laughing loudly while trying to hold on to the roundabout. Nancy grew in confidence as she laughed with her new friends. To anyone else it was just five friends having fun.
Then it all changed. Jimmy stopped pushing Nancy on the swing, halting it and bringing it towards him. He leaned down, his mouth close to her ear. ‘Have you had fun Nancy?’ he asked.
Nancy nodded, looking up at him and smiling, a smile that Edith would never forget. ‘OK, if you want to be our friend you need to do one thing for me.’
Nancy stood up eagerly, still smiling. ‘OK, what?’
‘You know the shop, Mr. Wilson’s?’ he asked, his voice quiet and calm. Nancy nodded; everyone knew Mr. Wilson’s shop. ‘Go in and steal us all some sweets.’
Nancy stopped smiling, her face dropped, and she looked sad. ‘No, I can’t steal.’
‘It’s just some sweets. Go on, for your new friends.’ His smile was charming this time. Pleading with her to do it. Only as much as Nancy was desperate for friends she couldn’t steal. Her parents would never forgive her. Her dad was strict, a stickler for the law, and if she ever got into trouble she’d likely get the belt. Her fear of that outweighed her need for friends.
‘I can’t. What if I get caught? Mr. Wilson will call the police and my dad will get the belt to me.’
It wasn’t that her parents were cruel. In fact, she had a happy loving home. Who knew if the threat of the belt was just that, a threat, or if he would actually ever do it. But the thought was enough. Plus, Nancy knew stealing was wrong and she didn’t have the desire to do it in any case. She stood her ground and refused.
Jimmy wouldn’t let it go. It wasn’t often people stood up to him and it angered him. Nancy Jenkins, the quiet, shy girl wasn’t as much of a push over as he’d thought. ‘Go then. You can be a loner forever,’ he snapped. Nancy stood devastated, a tear running down her face.
Edith felt a pang of guilt, felt sorry for the girl and grabbed her hand. ‘Jimmy doesn’t mean it. Do you, Jimmy?’ She glanced at him, hoping he’d let it go. Then relief as he smiled.
‘Of course I’m joking. Sorry, Nancy.’ He put his arm around her shoulders again, and everyone relaxed. Then he pulled a tissue from his pocket and wiped her tear away. ‘Sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.’
It was cruel, but if that was the worst of it, they could move past it. Jimmy suggested hide and seek in the woods.
‘It’s dark, I’ll get lost,’ Brenda giggled nervously.
‘Jimmy went first and began his count to ten while the others ran to hide. Edith crouched behind a large tree which stood further back from where the others had run.
‘Ten, coming, ready or not,’ Jimmy’s voice carried through the darkness. A few seconds passed and they could hear the snapping of twigs and rustling of bushes and shrubs as he searched. He laughed and shouted, ‘I’ve found a rope. I’m making a new rule for this game. The last one found will be tied up.’ He laughed again. The new rule had given them an incentive to be found. Edith let out a quiet giggle, and his direction changed.
‘Edith, I know your laugh well.’ He jumped around the tree and grabbed her. ‘Found you.’ They both giggled and set about finding the others. He took hold of her hand again. Standing in the dark, his hand in hers was comforting. ‘Don’t be scared. I’ll look after you,’ he reassured her, and squeezed her hand tighter.
They searched until only Nancy was left, eventually finding her after walking further into the woods than they’d ever ventured before, so secluded it was admirable she had gone that far. Nancy had jumped out and scared them. The triumph in her cry was a sound none of them would forget. Although they didn’t know it, it was the last time Nancy felt joy in anything.
At first Jimmy laughed and congratulated her for scaring them. He told her she was much more fun than he’d thought. But suddenly everything changed. ‘But you were the last one found, Jenkins.’ He grabbed her arms pinning them behind her. Then he pulled her to a tree in the middle of the small opening and yelled at his friends to tie her up to it. ‘Come on, it’s the last part of my new game.’
At first, they took it as just a game. Brenda and Peter took the rope and secured her to the tree. Nancy laughed at first but not for long. Jimmy circled round her, his charming face gone. Now it was a look of disgust. ‘Brenda, kick dirt on her.’
Brenda looked at Jimmy, confusion then horror in her eyes. ‘Jimmy, don’t. That’s enough.’
Jimmy glared her down. ‘Do you want to take her place?’ She took a step back from him and shook her head. The same threat to the other two. Nobody wanted to swap places, but they didn’t want to do it to Nancy either. ‘I suggest you all do as I say, or you’ll be in her place. Look, it’s just a bit of fun. I’ll let her go soon and as long as she keeps her mouth shut, nobody gets hurt.’
Nancy struggled with the rope, her cries of desperation and fear filled the air. ‘I won’t tell, I promise. I just want to go home. Please, let me go.’
Jimmy held the power, a boy who at that moment changed from a bully to a dark and twisted soul. Edith choked down the harsh reality that this was not the charming boy she’d loved since the age of ten. He was evil down to the bone. He chanted Nancy’s name and made them do it too. He kicked dirt at her and called her horrible names and his threats drove them to do the same. Every second they took part made them as evil as him even though it was against their will. Peter tried to stop it, but Jimmy punched him to the floor. Peter was a small boy at fourteen, and Jimmy towered over him, broad and athletic.
‘I thought you were my best friend,’ Jimmy snarled at him. Peter weakened and backed off. He’d never forgiven himself, and as he grew up, he distanced himself from Jimmy. Last time he’d seen him was when he was seventeen. Peter had signed up to the army and never let anyone bully him again, or bully others, but this dark secret had eaten away inside him every moment of his life.
‘Edith, just rub some snow in her hair.’ She didn’t move. ‘Come on, or are you next in line?’ Jimmy ordered.
‘Shut up. You wouldn’t dare do it me.’ Edith tried to sound brave and strong, but her voice faltered as he glared at her.
‘Oh, I would.’ He laughed, a confident laugh, and gestured for her get on with it. After a few seconds of glaring at each other, she rubbed the snow into Nancy’s hair. She convinced herself it wasn’t that bad, just a sil
ly game. If they just did as he said, then let Nancy go and never spoke of it again, it would be fine, right?
Wrong!
Once Jimmy had got bored, he decided it was time to go home. It was already past their curfews and they were all in major trouble.
‘See, she’s fine. I didn’t hurt her.’
The girl, shivering against the tree looked broken, mentally. Her coat lay on floor after Jimmy had torn it from her, the cold air biting at her exposed skin.
‘We need to go, Jimmy,’ Peter begged. ‘Let her go.’
Jimmy nodded in agreement with his friend. ‘OK, but I’ll come back later. I need to make sure she doesn’t talk.’
Brenda had already taken off, running scared from what they’d done and fearing the anger from her parents for being late. Jimmy promised he’d come back later for Nancy and she’d be their friend officially if she just waited a bit longer. They ran from the woods, no laughter this time. Apart from Jimmy who seemed calm, the others felt sick and full of regret. They stopped at the park, out of breath. Brenda was long gone, and after that night they didn’t really see her again apart from at school.
‘You’re going to go back and let her go?’ Edith begged Jimmy.
‘Of course, I am. I just have to go home quickly first. Stop my mum having a fit, then I’ll climb out my bedroom window. An hour tops and she’ll be safely home.’ He sounded so sincere that they believed him. They went their separate ways home and listened to their parents’ rants about being home on time. Edith was grounded for two weeks, but she really wasn’t bothered. She didn’t want to go out for a long time anyway. The story was they’d played in the park and then gone for a walk down to the beach and lost track of time.
Edith just hoped Nancy was OK and didn’t tell anyone. She’d find her tomorrow and apologize. She’d mean it too. Edith didn’t sleep, she couldn’t wait to make things right. The feelings of regret and hate for herself overwhelmed her. She even dug out an old necklace her Nan had left her, to give Nancy as a present to say sorry. She placed it in an envelope ready for next day.
