Chapter Eleven



Clover’s POV

We were both feeling the effects of walking for such a long time. My legs ached and felt like they were going to give at any second. I could tell Chantelle was struggling too; she winced slightly with every step.

“Not long now Chantelle, we’ll find somewhere to rest soon.” I promised her.

She smiled through her discomfort. “What’s going to happen?”

“Now or when we get back?”

“Well…both actually. We’re close now aren’t we?”

I nodded, recognising landmarks and a few footpaths. “Yes, we should arrive back at the house in the early hours of the morning.”

“Are we going straight to get the girls?”

“Not tonight. We’ll check on the house and sleep in an old small wood shed in the forest, it’s close to the house but hidden so we should be safe there.”

“Okay. Do you have a plan then? When we’re getting them? What you’re going to say and do?” she questioned, sipping on the almost empty bottle of water. We only had three more bottles left but that should be enough for tonight and tomorrow. Frowning, I realised that I didn’t have any real plan. I was just going to Lily’s house and somehow getting her out before her so called family saw us. “We should have a plan or something.”

“Yes, we should. I only know Lily’s address; I have no idea if Rose and Poppy are with her so we’ll have to go to hers first.” Although I wanted to go to Rose first.

“How will you do that?”

“I’m not sure. Somehow I need to get to speak with her without anyone being around.”

“Why don’t I speak to her?” She offered. I frowned. “They don’t know me so I’d have a better chance of talking to her.”

That was correct. No one knew Chantelle was with me so they would have no idea. As long as she can get to speak with Lily alone it would be fine. Chantelle could help Lily get out.

“You would go to her house then?” I said, almost to myself while thinking the whole thing through. That would be easier, and safer.

“Yeah, it would work. I can get her to come with me or meet me somewhere if her family are around. And when she knows you’re back for her she’ll take me to Rose and Poppy.”

“If they’re not already with her,” I added.

Chantelle nodded. “So, what do you think?”

“I think it’s an incredible idea.” She beamed; her smile lighting up her whole face. I loved how she looked at me, how happy she was that I was pleased with her idea. I imagine that she felt the same way I did when Mother was proud of something I’d done.

“I’m excited to meet them. Do you think they’ll like me?”

“They’ll love you, I’m sure of it.” Once we were all back together I can have Rose and the other girls teach Chantelle our routine and how we live. Then as soon as we’re properly settled I can find Chantelle a good school to study at. Perhaps when she’s finished we could put both of our skills and knowledge into starting a business together? I smiled as I imagined a family business, with the girls helping with the administration.

Chantelle squeezed my hand, breaking me from my thoughts. “What are you thinking about, Clover?”

“Our future.”

“Really? Does it look good?”

“It does.” She grinned, looking at me with the same admiration as before, causing my heart rate to increase.

After that conversation had ended we'd arrived at the edge of the forest, where it met a muddy dirt track. The light drizzling rain had turned the mud soft but down the middle was a strip of grass that we could happily walk along without getting dirty.

“Stick to the middle,” I told Chantelle, as I stepped over the mud. She followed, doing as I said and missed the dirt. It was getting dark now so walking along this track out in the open wasn’t quite as risky as it would have been an hour ago.

Very quickly, the forest was left behind us and we had absolutely no cover at all. The bushes that lined the main road up ahead were short and would barely come up to our knees. At least though, we could lie down if needed. Until then we were too exposed and that made me feel very uneasy. Our only cover was still a five minute walk.

“Are we safe out here?” Chantelle whispered, even though we were alone.

“We should be. Just listen out for any traffic noise; we’ll need to hide if we hear a car.” Hide where; I didn’t know. The floor was uneven but the shallow dips and small hills were still not enough, especially with our bulky rucksacks.

With every step closer to my house, my excitement and nerves increased. I couldn’t wait to be reunited with the girls but it had been a while since we’d seen each other and I still wasn’t sure if they would blame me for leaving them. The thought of anything bad happening to them because I’d allowed myself to be caught was awful. They knew I loved them though so hopefully they’ll understand.

Chantelle suddenly gasped and grabbed my arm, digging her nails into my skin. I spun around to see what was wrong. She was staring back into the forest that we’d just left. Following the direction she was facing, I saw them.

Stood in front of us, a fair way in front but still too close, was two police officers. One was a tall, broad male and the other a petite, short haired woman. They both smiled, looking pleased with themselves and why shouldn’t they be? After all, they were the ones to find me first.

I grabbed Chantelle’s hand and pulled her along as I sprinted towards them. “What are you doing?” Chantelle asked breathlessly, as she stumbled along behind me. Yes, it may have seemed insane to run to them rather than away but in this circumstance it was the only intelligent thing to do. They hadn’t moved since we saw them looking at us so it was likely that they hadn’t called for backup yet.

Stopping abruptly in front of them, Chantelle bumped into my back. I pulled her around to my chest roughly, grabbing a knife out of my pocket at the same time. Both officers and Chantelle gasped as I pressed the cold metal blade to her throat.

“Play along,” I whispered into her ear. She understood what I was saying to her and released her grip of my forearms slightly. “Get back!”

The female officer held her hands. “Okay, okay. We’ll step back just please let her go.”

Against their orders, I pulled Chantelle tighter against my chest and gripped the knife until my knuckles turned white. I could feel a light pressure against the end of the blade as it pressed against her neck, but I was careful not to press too hard and pierce the skin.

“Sir, please just lower the knife.” I laughed humourlessly. Now I was a Sir? That wasn't what I was being called in the newspapers.

“Now,” I started, taking a small step forwards. “This is how it’s going to work. You’re both going to drop to your knees and place your hands on the floor.” When they didn’t move I growled, “Do it!”

“Please,” Chantelle begged them.

“Good girl,” I whispered in her ear.

Sowly, both officers dropped down on the floor and placed their hands on the dirty ground as I instructed. “Good. Now close your eyes.” They continued to watch me. “Do it or I’ll kill her,” I shouted. They immediately closed their eyes. I let go of Chantelle and whispered to her, “You close your eyes too.”

Luckily the ground was soft from the damp weather so they didn’t hear me creeping over to them. Wet mud buried half of their hands. They were both shivering from being on the cold floor. The male officer was broad and muscular; I knew he had to be first.

Without another thought, I raised the knife and dug it into the back of his neck with such force it pierced through the other side. From me letting go of Chantelle to the officer falling to the floor with my knife still stuck through his neck was only about ten seconds. Of course the female officer heard the brief gagging noise and jumped up. Her face filled with horror as she stared at her partner lying motionless on the floor.

She went through the motions of screaming; mouth open, eyes wide, but nothing came out except a quiet croaking sound. I cocked my head to the side and waited. Soon would come the begging and pleading. With her whole body shaking, she shook her head. It seemed like she physically couldn’t move.

She was sitting up, leaning back on her arms. I raised my leg and kicked her down so she was lying on the floor. By now I would have expected her to beg and plead but still nothing came out of her mouth.

My eyes flicked back to Chantelle momentarily, she hadn’t moved and eyes were still squeezed shut. Stepped over the officer, placing one foot both sides of her body, and lowered myself so I was sitting on her. “Did you radio anyone and think very carefully before you answer. I will know if you’re lying.”

Her head shook from side to side in place of an answer.

“Good.”

As I pulled a second knife out of my pocket her body started to shake violently, yet she made no effort to move or beg for her life. It was rare, but a pleasant change. I slowly and lightly pressed the blade to the skin just below her collar bone. Apart from her body shaking and ragged breath she was so still it was as if she was already dead.

“If it wasn’t for you none of this would have happened. If you did your job properly no one would get hurt and I wouldn’t have to step in.” I increased the pressure, the blade digging into her skin, producing a shallow graze.

“Can you tell me why you’re all so incapable of upholding the so called law?” She didn’t reply with words, just a whimper so again I increased pressure and cut into the skin. She didn’t even seem to notice. Her eyes were still wide in horror and her breathing rapid but there was no reaction to the five inch wound stretching from the top of her collar bone down towards her chest, blood seeping through her crisp white shirt. I felt a release as the knife glided through the cotton material and then through her flesh. The blade sliced through her so easily.

I carried on, cutting though her skin, curving around her breast until I reached her heart. “Goodnight,” I whispered, as I plunged the knife straight through her heart. She gagged causing blood to splutter from her mouth. Knowing that would probably happen; I had already jumped back and successfully managed to avoid getting anything on myself.

Being on the edge of the forest the bodies were adequately hidden so I didn’t bother moving them. I just threw a few loose branches over the side of their bodies that was visible from the footpath.

I walked back to Chantelle and took both of her hands in my own. “You can open your eyes, it’s okay now.” I whispered softly, trying to sooth her.

Her eyes flicked open and she immediately started scanning the area where the police officers were standing. “Where..?” She shook her head, ending her question there.

“Don’t worry. We need to get home before sunrise so let’s go.” Chantelle gulped and nodded, picking up her bag, which I took off her. “Please, allow me.” Thankfully she didn’t argue so she must be learning.

We carried on walking into the night. If we weren’t so tired we probably would have made it back in half the time it was taking us but we were slow and needed to stop occasionally to rest. Finally though, we made it to the small narrow forest a little way behind my house. After passing the old broken wood shed we made it out of the other side of the dark trees. My house came into view and I smiled, relief filling me.

My smile grew and my heart pumped as I caught a quick glimpse of Lily sneaking through the bramble bushes. They were still coming home then. Well of course they were.

“Who was that?” Chantelle whispered.

“My Lily,” I responded, staring after her. “Come on, we’d better stay in that old wood shed until tomorrow.” Chantelle nodded and we turned around, heading back the way we’d just been.

“You really think they’ll come back again tomorrow?”

“I do.” They were coming back here, even though their old families would be with them, especially Lily’s. I knew they wanted their family back together as much as I did. Tomorrow we would all be reunited.

Chantelle beamed at me, her eyes shining with happiness. “I haven’t been part of a family for so long.”

I squeezed her hand. “You are now. Forever.”

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Only like three chapters left! WOO HOO! I've decided to try and get The Cellar published normally so once this is done I'll start editing...again! I'm changin the whole layout and even Summer's name :( I know but I really don't want people (publishers) to think that my story was any way influenced by that pile of crap movie Summer's Moon (or whatever it was called!!) So Summer is now Skye...on my version, I'll keep her Summer here.

Thanks to iznaberry for the cover on the side :)

<3