Safe for tonight.
But what about tomorrow?Next week?How long until Declan makes his move?
I can't think about that.I can only focus on what I can control.Which is making sure he never gets close enough to hurt her.
I lie back, stare at the ceiling, and make a promise to myself.
Declan Fahy thinks he's watching her.Thinks he's in control.Thinks he can terrorize her until she breaks.
But he has no idea I'm watching him too.
And when the time comes, when he makes his move, I'll be there.
Between him and Enya.
Between him and Warren.
And I won't let him through.
Not alive.
14
ENYA
The door closes behind them, and silence hits me like a wall.
I stand in the hallway for a long moment, staring at the empty space where Warren and Mam just were.They're off to Auntie Siobhan's for a few nights.Warren was excited.Mam was trying not to look too pleased about having him to herself.But we both agreed it would be the safest place for the both of them to be.
And I'm here.Alone.
The flat feels too big suddenly.Too quiet.Every creak of the floorboards, every hum of the refrigerator, every sound from the street seems amplified.
I move to the sitting room and turn on the telly to some cookery show I'm not interested in watching.I just need the noise, something to fill the space.
But it doesn't help.
I try cleaning.Wiping down surfaces that I’ve already cleaned.Reorganizing the cupboards.Folding laundry that's already folded.
It still doesn't help.
I take a shower, standing under the hot water until my skin's pink and the bathroom's full of steam.But when I step out and wrap myself in a towel, the silence is still there.Waiting.
And so are my thoughts.
Tank.
His voice.The way he said my name.The way he held me when I finally broke and couldn't hold it together anymore.
The way he promised Declan wouldn't touch me again.
And I believed him.
That's the terrifying part.I believed him.
I pull on leggings and an oversized jumper, towel-dry my hair, and stare at my phone on the bed.
I shouldn't text him.I should give him space.Give myself space to process everything that's happened over the last few days.
