“She’s also as far as anyone else is concerned your sister. Sooo…”
His words hit me like a punch to the gut. All the warmth I’d felt moments ago drain from my body, leaving behind nothing but cold, hard dread. He’s right. Regardless of the fact we aren’t blood related, to the eyes of everyone else, she’s my sister.
The sound of the doorbell rings again, echoing through the silent house, and I pray that she doesn’t wake up. She doesn’t need to see this. She’s been through enough already.
“You’ve got five minutes,” James says, his shoulder colliding with mine as he heads downstairs. I glance towards the landing and see the flickering blue and red lights casting shadows on the walls. It feels like the ground is falling out from under me.
Back in my room, I grab the framed photo of her from the nightstand. It’s the only thing that matters. Clothes get stuffed into a bag haphazardly. I creep back to her room take one last look at her, peaceful and oblivious, and head downstairs.
“Here he is, Officer,” James announces as if he’s done them some successful favour. “Owen King. He’ll come quietly.” He puts a hand on my shoulder, squeezing enough to make my skin crawl. “Won’t you, son?”
The humid night air clings to me as I step outside. I turn to the officer, but I already know why they’re here.
“Mr. King, we’re arresting you for the suspected grievous bodily harm of Carl Walker, Steven Gantly and Harry Leverton.” The officer’s voice is monotone, routine.
James stands off to the side, shaking his head like this is all some sort of tragic disappointment. I stare straight ahead, refusing to meet his eyes. I won’t give that smug bastard the satisfaction.
“You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something you later rely on in court…”
The officer’s voice fades into background noise, drowned out by the roaring in my head. My thoughts spiral, panic sinking its claws into me.
If I’m not here, who’s going to protect her from him?
37
Lucy - Age 16
Alotcanhappenin a night.
He left me in hell, alone, and with the devil stalking my every move. I became his only focus.
Six weeks is a long time.
It’s a lifetime when you live in an abusive home, with the only support you had having walked out the night you gave him your everything.
I’ve been a walking zombie ever since, going through the motions. I wake up, I go to school, I study, I try and find light.
But where light once was, now it’s dark and cold.
His room lays empty, his bed left unmade from when he last slept on it. Clothes are still in their drawers, waiting for him to come and put them on. But he’s not coming back.
I don’t need to be a genius to know that he’s left for good.
And as he walked out that door, he took my hope with him.
I stare at my door, waiting for the inevitable.
No one’s here to protect me now, and that monster that had been kept at bay. The monster has found a new plaything.
Me.
I’m just grateful that Owen took me first. At least James can’t take that away from me, when he’s already taken so much.
The door opens, and my eyes meet his.
“Hello, princess.”
38
