Chapter 112
ONE HUNDRED AND TWELVE
‘Maybe she’s turned into the bear,’ said Rosie.
‘What?’ said Nancy, confused.
‘Yeah. Maybe she’s gonna be slain.’
Nancy grabbed Rosie by the throat, pushed her up against the tree. ‘Where is she?’
She was maddened with rage and fear. How dare this child keep her from her daughter? A black fog descended, blocking out all sane thoughts. The shutters slammed down on her soul. All she wanted was to wipe the smirk off Rosie’s face, make her tell the truth.
She had been pushed too far, silenced for too long, a wild animal that had been tricked again and again into submissiveness.
She wasn’t moved by Rosie choking, her eyes bulging in terror. She thought the girl was exaggerating, trying to trick her.
Then, a light out of the corner of her eye. Something moving. Flames.
Nancy looked up, confused at first. Then her world stopped.
The straw bear danced a petrified dance, unable to get free of the flames.
Nancy was engulfed with terror. Stricken, she flashed a look back at Rosie, finally understanding. Jesus, no . . .
She dropped Rosie, who crumpled to the ground, clutching her neck and crying big, snot-laden sobs. Nancy ran, scrambling up the bank to the figure on fire.
Flames burst from straw arms that waved frantically. Nancy screamed. She tripped, her fingernails full of dirt as she clawed her way back up. Even as she ran, the flames grew with a terrifying speed. She knew she couldn’t get there in time and let out a desperate moan.
Then small hands tugged on her arm, pulling her back. She tried to bat them off, despairing as she struggled to get to her daughter.
‘Mum!’
Nancy turned and wailed in relief at the sight of Lara, here with her. She threw herself down beside her, holding her, pressing her face against Lara’s hair.
‘I saw you earlier,’ said Lara. ‘With Rosie. It doesn’t mean anything. It’s not worth it. You don’t find out.’
In the distance there were screams. People running. Jackets thrown and patting out the flames. The band abruptly stopped playing. Then the silence was punctured by the sound of sirens.