The Landy made it out without a scratch, but the van is a little worse for wear. I can’t stop looking back at it over my shoulder as it follows behind us, knowing the bodies of the dead Sadists are inside.
I feel so sorry for Murf. Stocky was his best mate, and he’s the one driving the van.
JD, Vender and Mex are riding three of the motorcycles, while the fourth is also in the back of the van, crammed up close to the dead bodies.
It’s all just… such a waste.
I feel the weight of their deaths just like I did the others. These guys in particular, having been some of the first club brothers I met.
I’m sitting quietly in the back seat next to Bobbi’s car seat, where she’s still sleeping soundly. I couldn’t bring myself to sit in the front and be that far away from her, but Ringo didn’t mind. He’s been busy making calls as he drives, arranging for us to get back over the border, so they don’t search the van and find dead bodies.
I cry for some of the trip, my heart aching over more deaths because of me.
I don’t know who those men were that attacked the house, but they were clearly trained. I’m actually surprised we aren’t all dead.
The drive from the seaside town in South Australia to Fox Pines is nearly an eleven hour trip, but Ringo is determined to get back to the compound today, so we stop when Bobbi needs a feed or nappy change, and then just keep driving.
Even though I try not to, I fall asleep a few times. I’m worried about Ringo and the lack of sleep he’s had over the last few days, but the hum of the Harleys riding alongside us is soothing, and it keeps lulling me to sleep.
When we aren’t far from Fox Pines, the day having turned into night once again, my phone starts ringing, and I hurry to blindly answer it so it doesn’t wake Bobbi.
“Hello?” I say, reaching over to press the dummy back into Bobbi’s mouth when she stirs.
“So you have your daughter back. Congratulations.”
I stiffen at the sound of my mother’s voice, and my eyes meet Ringo’s in the rearview mirror.
How does she know?
Pulling the phone away from my ear, I put the call on speaker and turn up the volume.
“What do you want?” I snap, and she scoffs.
“You have your daughter, now I want mine. Give Tahli back to me.”
“Never,” I scoff back, and she tuts.
“You might as well hand over your daughter while you’re at it. Once the police trace all those deaths in that sleepy seaside town back to you, you’ll be going to prison.” She gives an unamused laugh. “Twelvedeaths. That’s a long stretch behind bars. Plenty of time for me to raise your daughter myself.”
“Twelve?” I ask, keeping my eyes on Ringo’s in the mirror. “You’re so sure. What do you know about what happened?”
“I was against it at first. But your grandfather was insistent. He has a lot of connections, Abigail. Many worshippers that believe in the Script of Symme just as passionately as we do. A lot of very powerful men in high government authoritative roles.”
“So Banes paid men to kill us and tried to kidnap my baby. Again.” I scoff, hoping my voice doesn’t betray my nerves. “How did you even know where we were?”
“I told you last time. A little birdy told me. You really should be careful who you trust,” she snickers. “And that child isnotyours, Abigail. She belongs to the church.”
“Oh, really?” I snicker this time. “But don’t I have to marry my cousin first? And then don’t I have to be killed, so Bobbi can replace my life, to be the pure vessel?”
My mother is quiet for a long moment before she responds. “You’ve been doing your research.”
“I have,” I agree. “What a pity Daniel is dead, so now I can’t marry him. And so is every other rapist fuck that could have been the biological father. So, I guessyouand yourcult bullshitcan piss the hell off.”
“You don’t know what you’ve done!” my mum yells, causing the speaker to crackle, and I glance at Bobbi to see if it disturbed her, but she’s still sound asleep.
“Oh, you mean ruining your plans to get your daddy to love you again?” I snap. “You’re pathetic, Priscilla.”
“You act so high and mighty,” she snarls, fury lacing her tone. “But you were never going to be anything special in the outside world, Abigail. But in the church you had a chance to make a difference, and you’ve gone and thrown it all away. But Tahli still has a chance.”
