Chapter 75
FAYE
As we walk silently along the path, I pull in deep breaths, terrified of what might be about to happen, and what condition we might find Penny in, if she’s even there at all. I can only hope she is and that I am able to bring her home with me today.
A small stone building comes into view. Some sort of bothy by the looks of it.
I grab Claire’s arm. “There.”
“I see it,” she says.
“I have to get to her.” Before I know it, I’m sprinting around the side of the building calling her name.
“Penny!”
Every curtain is closed. I can’t see in. Claire chases after me and grabs hold of my shoulders. She spins me around.
“Faye, stop! Magnus and Dina will be in there too,” she hisses.
Then I hear the sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.
“Mum? Mum!”
“Yes, it’s me.”
I push Claire away, reacting to the siren song of my daughter, still alive. I search for a rock, anything heavy, my hands groping the path along the side of the building.
“I hear something.” Claire’s voice is urgent. “Up over there, I think someone’s coming, Faye.” She pulls at my sleeve, but I ignore her and she backs away.
The only thing that matters is getting Penny out of there. I find a stone about the size of my fist.
“Stand away from the window, Penny!” I yell, not sure if she can hear me or not. Then I throw it as hard as I can.
The window smashes, making an almighty crashing sound. I turn to Claire, but she’s gone. I’m alone in the mist.
“Mum? Is that you?”
Her voice cracks the ice around my heart, thawing all the stress and worry that has encased it over the last few days. My legs feel weak. I could melt into a puddle of relief. But she’s not safe yet. Not until I get her out of that house.
“Yes, darling, I’m coming.”
I wrap my fist inside the sleeve of my coat and hit the broken window, making the hole big enough to climb through. For all I know, Magnus is waiting for me inside with a knife or something worse, but I am willing to risk anything to get to my daughter, to hold her in my arms.
Dropping onto a pile of broken glass underneath the window, I catch my palm on a shard and wince. Another chunk tears into my jeans, grazing the skin. But I barely feel it. I clamber to my feet and look around.
The first thing that hits me is the smell. The sour tang of vomit. Unemptied bins. I raise my hand to my mouth and nose.
“Mum?”
I see my child. My heart is in my mouth, my eyes filled with hot tears. There she is, tied to a bunk bed, a blanket over her thin frame. Shivering but alive. In the bleak evening light, her face seems translucent, almost blue. I rush to her, my heart thumping.
“Mum!” Her voice cracks, tears falling.
Then my arms are around my little girl, who is smaller, thinner than the last time I saw her.
“I’m here, sweetheart. Everything is going to be all right.” I tug at the ropes. Her poor, raw wrists wriggle underneath the tight knots.
“He’s dangerous,” she says. Her words slur, like she’s drunk. “He tried to kill the other one.”
“Dina? Where is she?”
“She left. She ran away.”
“Where’s Magnus?”
“I don’t know.” She lets out a sob.
“Shit!” I exclaim. The ropes are too tight. “Let me find a knife.”
There has to be one in here somewhere. I hurry over to the kitchen area, yanking out the drawers. It’s clear this bothy isn’t fully stocked for living. There’s no sign of anything sharp. Time is ticking on. Claire is out there alone with Magnus.
I head back to Penny. “I need help.” I kiss her on the forehead. “I’ll be back. Okay?”
“Mum, please don’t go. Please. If he’s out there, he’ll kill you.”
“Everything is going to be okay. I promise.” Even as I say the words, I’m aware that they’re not true. I can’t promise anything. I’m not sure we’re going to make it out of here alive, but I have got to try.
I try the door first, but it’s locked.
“Magnus has the key,” Penny calls.
I hurry back to the broken window, climb out and head out into the fog to find my sister and face my daughter’s captor.