Vengeance Child Read Online Free PDF Page B

Haven’t you heard what happened to the cat when it became too damn curious?
    Laura Parris turned down the quilt ready for bed. At midnight Badsworth Lodge could have the dead silence of a tomb. She pictured all those empty rooms downstairs. Vaults filled with darkness. Damn the local authority for housing troubled kids in a creepy old pile like this. Savagely, she started to brush her hair. A tangle made her hiss. Damn it, she was really angry with herself. When Jay had asked about crossing the river by boat she’d made light of it, telling him that she heard it was just a short ferry ride. That had made him happy enough to make a light-hearted comment about them needing a boat to cross the lawn if it didn’t stop raining soon, so carelessly she’d asked the question that had been bothering her. ‘Jay. You’ve told me that you took both Maureen and Tod for a walk. Will there be a day when you take me for a walk?’ His shoulders had scrunched as if he’d been doused in cold water. Trembling he’d climbed into bed and pulled the sheet over his head. She’d wished him good night, while cursing the looseness of her own tongue. What made me ask that?
    She dragged the brush through her hair. ‘What’s got into you, Laura? You looking for a death wish?’ Grimacing, she set the brush down. ‘It’s fine. Don’t get all superstitious. You need a break, too.’ She leaned to the mirror to study her eyes. ‘Look at those bags. Big enough for the week’s groceries.’
    Quickly she climbed into bed, then switched out the light. Outside, the rain fell with a steady murmur. Through her mind streamed the kind of night-thoughts that keep sleep away. She needed to collect the flowers for Maureen’s funeral. A temporary team of carers would arrive early to cover while the permanent staff were at the chapel service; they needed briefing on meal and medication requirements. Also she had a list of numbers to call to confirm the children’s arrival at the island. And don’t forget the children’s cards for Maureen. They’re collected at 10.30. As she lay in the darkness, the rain finally stopped with a suddenness that made the silence heavy against her ears. Then soft footsteps in the corridor. Puzzled, she sat up in bed. Her door swung open to reveal a figure in the gloom. Its eyes glinted, sparks of unearthly flame.
    Then a voice. ‘Laura. I’ve come to take you for a little walk.’
    â€˜Jay? Is anything wrong?’
    â€˜It’s time for your walk.’
    â€˜Jay, it’s gone midnight. You should be in bed.’ Quickly, she donned her dressing gown and slippers. ‘Give me your hand. There . . . come on back to your room. We’ve got a busy day tomorrow.’
    Again, he spoke in a whisper. ‘It won’t take long.’
    When she took his hand to walk through into the corridor she flinched. Drops of rain struck her face. A breeze sighed through the trees. They walked beside a high wall topped with razor wire.
    â€˜Jay . . . no . . .  no !’ A sense of cold dread filled her. ‘I didn’t see where . . .’ Confusion swirled her senses. ‘Jay, how did we get outside?’
    He glanced up at her. His normally golden skin had turned white as bone. In the darkness all she could make out of him was a face that blazed like a skull, the huge eyes dark as midnight. Suddenly, the boy dragged her by the hand.
    Dear God, how did he bring me outside without me knowing? ‘Jay. No, I don’t want to go. Don’t make me . . . please . . .’ Fear scrambled her senses. She could barely see, only confused images of trees that towered over her with all the menace of giant men. The sense of the masculine , a raw animal power was so overwhelming she staggered before it. She’d never felt so vulnerable. Someone’s waiting out