Page 40

I run as fast as possible. I’ll run for as many miles as I can, so long as it keeps me away from Duncan. I’m several streets away before I realise tears are trickling down my cheeks. I’m a few more streets away before I realise that I don’t hear anybody else behind me. I stop running, my breaths coming in short, sharp pants. I lean forwards, hands on the top of my thighs, trying to ignore the pants and the sharp pain in my side. I straighten up and walk closer to the hedge that runs next to the property I stopped at, hoping it’ll offer some level of camouflage should Duncan catch up with me. I look around, but there isn’t anybody on the street.

I take stock of my situation. I check my watch; it’s two in the morning. It’s cold. I have no coat, no cardigan, no goddamn shoes. I don’t have my bag with all my things. No purse. The only thing I have is my mobile phone.

I could call the police, but I don’t feel strong enough for that—to have to explain what happened and everything else that happens at home. What if they don’t believe me? What if Duncan sounds more credible than I do? What if my mother takes his side and I’m left out in the cold before I’m ready? I could phone my father, but that would be a shitty conversation that I don’t want to go through. I haven’t spoken to him in months, just curt messages to say thanks for paying my phone bill or topping up my bus pass.

I unlock my phone. I consider calling Felix’s mother, but as I scroll through the numbers, one jumps out at me.

Paladin.

I can’t.

I can’t….

Before I can reason with myself, talk myself out of it, I click to connect. It’s so late at night that I don’t expect him to answer. For a second, when the ringing tone stops, I assume I’ve been pushed through to the answerphone service. Then I hear a rustling sound. I can’t speak, and I suddenly feel incredibly stupid that I called.

“Delilah?”

I’m so stunned that he knows it’s me that I gasp. “Yes. Sorry. Yes, it’s me.”

“What’s the matter? Tell me what’s wrong.”

“I was at home. Duncan… Duncan… he—”

“Are you safe right now?”

“I can’t go home, but I don’t have my things,” I cry.

“Where are you?”

“I don’t know.” I hiccup and sob.

“Delilah,” he says softly. “Where are you?”

“I’m lost. I ran away. I don’t know.”

“Okay, take a moment. Look around. Is there a street sign? Any landmarks? Any buildings you recognise?”

I let his soothing tone calm me down. I look around and realise I’m near the edge of the road. I blink a few times so I can read the street sign.

“Venus Avenue,” I tell him.

“Wait there. I won’t be long,” he promises.

The call ends and I pace on the street as I wait, ignoring the pain in my feet. I glance around. There isn’t anybody out here. I’m sure Duncan hasn’t followed me. Maybe he gave up, or maybe he lost me by going down a different street to the ones I chose. I’m not sure. I’m too overwhelmed to process it all.

I sink to the floor near the street sign, pulling my knees up and wrapping my arms around my legs. I want to bury my face and sob, but I don’t want to let my guard down. Instead, I stare ahead of me and wait. Listening. Looking. Prepared.

The next sound I register is the car that pulls up against the kerb. Then the slam of the door. Then footsteps.

“I’m sorry,” I cry. “I shouldn’t have called.”

“I told you to call me. Come on. Come with me.” He offers me a hand. I nod and take it, letting him pull me up. He guides me towards the car and opens the door for me. We both get settled inside.

We don’t speak another word until he pulls into a space on the road outside his house.

“I shouldn’t—” I start, but he shakes his head.

“Unless you’re going to call the police so you can go home, you need somewhere to stay. It’s too late to check you into a hotel. You can stay here,” he states.