Chapter 54 Reubyn
Reubyn
Reubyn looks nervously around, to make absolutely sure there’s no one lurking nearby.
For the second time, he stoops to check under the bus.
George is fiddling with the starter battery, but there’s no way he’ll be able to fix it.
Jessie looks as she has for hours: dazed and frightened.
Reubyn can’t blame her for that; she has every right to be scared.
Reubyn is scared, too. He’s also sick with remorse.
This is all his fault. Why did he bring them out here?
If anyone else gets hurt while they’re stuck in this forest, it’ll be on him.
And he’s powerless to help. He’ll just have to hope that Miles and Faith are safely making their way out of here.
With any luck, they’ll soon raise the alarm.
With any luck, the air will soon fill with the wailing of sirens as the emergency services arrive to deal with this mess.
His train of thought is broken by a noise coming from inside the van. The sound of muffled shouting. It’s quickly combined by a fist banging against the window. Reubyn, George and Jessie glance at each other, then dart around to the door of the bus.
George gets to the door first. ‘Polly!’ he shouts. ‘Are you all right?’
Reubyn finds Polly sitting on the bench, her face contorted in shock and a slip of paper trembling in her outstretched hand.
George grabs it, and as he stares at it, his face buckles. ‘Oh no.’
‘What is it?’ Reubyn asks.
George hands him the sheet. ‘Here, see for yourself.’
Reubyn takes the piece of paper and holds it so he and Jessie can see. It’s a note, written neatly in blue biro. Reubyn’s pulse quickens as he reads.
To Reubyn, Jessie, Polly and George.
None of you are in danger. I’m sorry you’ll have to deal with the mess I’m about to create. It won’t be pretty. I have my reasons, and I’m sure you’ll find them out soon enough.
I’m sorry about Elis.
I’m NOT sorry about Miles.
Faith.