Love Lessons (Part Twenty-Four)
‘She hit me over the head with a rock, she hit me over the head with a rock, she hit me over the head with a rock...’
Katie kept muttering the mantra to herself, her justification for what was happening in front of her very eyes. This had stopped being fun, now it was just scary and Katie didn’t feel like there was any way of escaping. Ruby had disappeared again, was too busy scaring Effy, getting sick thrills out of every jump, every scream. Katie needed to stop this, needed to find a way out, searching for her phone she quickly typed out a text, hovering over her contacts wondering who would be best to send it to. She didn’t want to send it to JJ, didn’t want him to find out what she’d done, but really she didn’t have any option, he was the only one that she wanted to help her out of this mess.
“Fucking hell Kates, thought you’d be wanting to get in on the fun. You know she thinks she’s dying or something. We should be taping it, You’ve Been Framed pay £250 for funny shit like this.” Ruby laughed, suddenly appearing behind Katie, Katie stuffing her phone in her pocket quickly before Ruby could notice.
“Where is she?” Katie panicked, worried that she no longer could keep an eye on Effy, it was the only thing making her feel alright, knowing that she had some kind of control over what was happening.
“Let her wander off down there.” Ruby shrugged, brow furrowing when Katie started running off in the direction of where she’d just pointed. “Katie what the fuck? Where are you going.”
“To find Effy, this has to stop.” Katie called out, running as fast as she could, tensing when she heard the crunching of leaves behind her, knowing that Ruby was running just behind her.
Katie really wished she hadn’t skipped so many P.E lessons at school, at the time running round a field hadn’t seemed too important, not as important as snogging some fit guy behind the gym, but running skills really would have come in handy right about now. Spotting a dazed looking Effy up ahead, Katie increased her speed, glad she’d chosen flats rather than her standard heels.
“Eff!” Katie called out, rushing to Effy’s side and grabbing hold of her hand. She could see the immediate relief on the other girls face and she felt nothing but guilt, a twisting feeling in her stomach.
“Katie, Katie why are you here, where’s Cook?” Effy begged, a distance in her voice, it sounding so familiar to the last time they’d been in these woods, but rather than hatred towards the girl in front of her, Katie just felt a strong desire to protect her.
“We’ve got to run yeah Eff, hold on to my hand and we’ll be alright, everything will be alright okay, I promise.” Katie insisted, immediately pulling Effy away, knowing that Ruby could see them, knowing that it was just a matter of time before the other girl caught up with them.
**
Naomi stood waiting for the kettle to boil, wandering round the kitchen she started to tidy up, cleaning was never a strong point of her mothers, there was at least a fortnights worth of post sat on the kitchen table that hadn’t been sorted through. It had always been a job of Naomi’s to actually place the bills under Gina’s nose, otherwise there was a good chance they’d be forgotten about until the threatening phone-calls began from angry electricity companies wanting their money. Gathering up the pile of letters, Naomi began to sort them into junk, bills and postcards from various weirdos who’d lived in her house at some point.
It was the writing that looked so much like her own that made her stop in her tracks, was it possible that handwriting was inheritable? The envelope had practically become a fan in Naomi’s grip, the shake in her hand sending it flapping back and forth, before finally she dropped it like it had burned her.
It was the delicate way her name had been written, it had been written like that in her first five birthday cards, they sat in a box under her bed in a box of memories that Naomi hadn’t opened in years. That handwriting sent chills down her spine, made her feel sick, made her heart race so fast it felt like her chest would explode. It physically hurt that he could have this effect on her, she wished she’d never wrote her letter, but at the same time couldn’t fight the fact that she was desperate to read what had been written inside.
“Nai what’s taking so long with that tea? A woman could die of dehydration in here!” Gina voice called from the living room, breaking Naomi from the stand off she was having with the envelope in front of her. She felt shame, embarrassment, knowing that her mother would feel so betrayed if she knew about this, this was all so messed up. She was so messed up.
“Coming mum.” Naomi called, shoving the envelope into her pocket, now she could feel it burning against her thigh, as she tried to ignore the need to look inside it, concentrating instead on pouring boiling water into the two mugs in front of her. She would read it later, when she was alone, when she could concentrate on the words. For now she needed to be there for her mother, needed to be the daughter Gina wanted her to be, even if fear plagued every single moment they spent together. Would these just be memories some day soon?
**
Karen had barely even opened the door, when it was pushed completely open and Cook had forced himself inside, followed by JJ who shot Karen an apologetic look. Cook didn’t bother to wipe his feet, dirty footprints marking his pathway from the front door all the way through to the stairs.
“James what the fuck? You can’t just barge in here like this, look at the mess you’ve made you total knob.” Karen complained, high heels clattering down the hallway as she made a mad dash to stop Cook tearing up the stairs.
“Fucking stay out of this Karen. Jay will you come the fuck on, we need to have a word with our mate Freds.” Cook growled, stopping Karen in her tracks as she realised that this situation was serious.
“Karen just go sit in the living room yeah.” Freddie’s voice called out from the top of the stairs where he appeared, stopping Cook in his tracks. “Please Karen just let me deal with this.”
The three boys stood in silence as Karen slipped off into the living room, shooting one last worried glance at her little brother before closing the door behind her.
“Cook we should just go, this isn’t going to make anything better.” JJ pleaded, as angry and upset as he’d been earlier, he knew that Cook beating Freddie up wouldn’t solve anything. It would probably just result in Cook getting in trouble.
“I didn’t mean to.” Freddie croaked, his voice cracking as he shook his head, running his hands through his hair.
“It’s fucking twisted mate, fucking messed up. She’s one of us, one of our fucking friends, Jay’s girlfriend. You’re not like this, you’re Freddie, the nice guy. I just don’t fucking understand it.” Cook spat, his voice low and threatening, causing Freddie to squirm uncomfortably.
“I’m screwed up Cook, Effy she...” Freddie started, before getting cut off by an angry Cook grabbing hold of his shirt, climbing the stairs and pushing him against a wall.
“She fucked us all over, she broke my heart but I would never do something like that to get over it. It’s a weak, pathetic bastard that would try something like that.” Cook shouted, fist colliding with Freddie’s already aching ribs, Freddie yelped in pain at the contact.
JJ stood watching horrified, his hands trying to find something to do to distract him from what was happening. Finding his phone, JJ was immediately drawn to the tiny yellow message sitting in the corner of his screen waiting to be opened. Noticing it was from Katie , it reminded him that he’d have to tell her about Freddie sooner or later.
I’m in trouble, Gobblers End, please I need you xxx
JJ was immediately hit with a wave of panic, knowing Katie was in trouble, the same place as she’d nearly died before. He needed to get to Katie, a feeling of dread building inside of him.
“Katie’s in trouble, Cook we have to go, leave him.” JJ instructed, watching as Cook dropped Freddie. “Cook she’s at Gobblers End.”
“Why would she go there, Katie wouldn’t go there.” Freddie groaned, clutching his stomach, looking back and forth between Cook and JJ.
“I think she’s really in trouble guys, she wouldn’t worry me like this if it wasn’t serious, what do we do now, what do we do?” JJ panicked, pacing slightly as Cook stood trying to formulate a plan.
“We need a car, I’ll nick one, some stupid fucker won’t have locked their door.” Cook decided, practically leaping down the stairs to place a supportive hand on JJ’s shoulder. JJ relaxing slightly the minute Cook started to take control.
“My dads car, we can take my dads car.” Freddie suggested, shrugging as the other two boys looked at him incredulously.
“We? You think we’re fucking involving you in this?” Cook scoffed, shaking his head at how desperate Freddie looked, desperate for friendship, for forgiveness.
“If you’re taking my dads car you’re taking me, we’ll get to her a lot quicker if we stop arguing and just go.” Freddie insisted, pulling himself up, walking slowly down the stairs resting against the banister as he walked.
“We won’t get in trouble if its Freddie’s dads car Cook, stealing a car could get you in serious trouble.” JJ shrugged, despite everything, having a full set of Musketeers seemed to make things better.
“Come the fuck on then.” Cook sighed, grabbing the car keys off the hallway table, the three boys making their way out the door.
**
Naomi had managed to escape to the comfort of her room once her mother had fallen asleep in front of the television, placing a blanket over her, Naomi had pressed a kiss to her mothers cheeks before moving upstairs.
Now in her room she paced slowly, fingers hovering over her pocket, drumming against it impatiently waiting for courage. Finally Naomi let herself sink to her knees, pressing against the softness of the rug. Pulling the envelope out, Naomi placed it in front of her, turning it over and ripping it open, her hand reached inside and clasped for the letter inside, unfolding it carefully, laying it out in front of her too scared to let her eyes focus on the words.
“My fucking mother heard us having sex.” Emily’s voice suddenly interrupted, pushing open the door, Emily simply sauntered inside like the house was her own. Oblivious to Naomi quickly stuffing the letter back into the envelope, and sliding it under her bed.
“Emily what the fuck? Did you even fucking knock?!” Naomi snapped aggressively, jumping up, surprising Emily with her force.
“When do I ever knock? This is our room remember, that’s what you said to me, meaning I could come here whenever I need to escape.” Emily explained, confused by Naomi’s reaction, Emily had practically had free roam of the house over the course of their relationship. She’d used her house key to get in figuring that Naomi would be in her bedroom, she didn’t expect her presence to bother Naomi.
“It’s not our room Emily, it’s my fucking room and you should knock.” Naomi grunted, knowing that this wasn’t Emily’s fault, that she wasn’t really angry at Emily, but that all the same Emily would be on the receiving end of her aggression.
“Jesus you really are blowing fucking hot and cold at the moment aren’t you? You treat me like a cunt at dinner, come and make it up to me, apologise to me and then you go right back to being a twat. Nice Naomi.” Emily complained, gently kicking the leg of Naomi’s bed, looking at Naomi with her puppy dog eyes which normally would melt Naomi’s heart but tonight simply served to annoy her.
“Just don’t Emily. Don’t start an argument, I can’t keep arguing.” Naomi sighed, tired of everything that was happening, dropping down on her bed, burying her face in her pillow.
“I just... Your mum gets her results tomorrow. I thought you’d need me.” Emily shrugged, shifting uncomfortably, she felt like she was back last year, when Naomi scared her, when she didn’t have the confidence to argue back.
“Lets just go to sleep yeah? Come here.” Naomi forced a smile, relenting, she held her arms out, pulling Emily in close. She could feel Emily relax in her arms, Naomi hated that power, hated that her mood could dictate someone else's.
“I love you.” Emily whispered, nuzzling her nose against Naomi’s neck.
“I know.” Naomi replied, patiently waiting for sleep. The letter from her father haunting her every thought, and when she eventually slipped into sleep, her every dream.
**
“Eff listen to me, Cook isn’t here, he was never going to be here. It’s a trick, a set up to scare you. It’s all got out of hand but I promise I’m looking after you now. I’ve sent a text to JJ, he’ll figure something out cos he’s smart yeah?” Katie smiled, wrapping an arm around Effy, the two of them crouched down hiding from Ruby who was still calling for them.
“You wanted to hurt me like I hurt you. I’m sorry Katie, I’m so sorry.” Effy sobbed, regaining some control, Katie’s hand in hers kept her calm, kept the bad thoughts from her head.
“Babes seriously as much as I’d love an apology sesh, we can totally do all this girly shit when we’re not being chased by a psycho in the woods.” Katie insisted, squeezing Effy’s hand, the two of them started to move slowly through the foliage.
“Ladies! There you are, now where the fuck have you two been?” Ruby grinned as the two girls managed to walk straight into her, Katie gulped audibly, trying to hold up a swaying Effy.
“You’re fucked in the head.” Katie spat, trying to step away from Ruby.
“You know you wouldn’t be the first person to tell me that, I like to see it more as not taking shit from a bunch of fuckers, who managed to screw up my life, just as soon as I’d managed to get myself straight.” Ruby growled, fists clenched, Katie could see that this was not a girl in her right state of mind. There were clearly bigger problems involved here, Katie felt nothing but fear being in her presence.
“Ruby we can fix this yeah. Effy hasn’t done anything to you, me neither, we’re friends.” Katie pleaded, trying anything now to sort this out, she didn’t have the physical strength to take on this girl, but she’d always been pretty good at talking herself out of things.
“It can’t be fixed.” Ruby whispered, clenching her eyes shut as if trying to block out something bad. “How did that rock feel last time?”
“Last time...” Katie muttered, because saying it like that implied there was going to be a next time, and as Ruby’s arm raised, Katie began to shake with anticipation of the darkness that had taken over her the last time she’d stood in these woods. Closing her eyes, Katie braced herself, like an execution she waited for the end.
**
“Sweet holy mother of Jesus.” JJ gulped, eyes wide as he looked down at the ground, dropping the cricket bat from his hands he stood in shock. Ruby’s lifeless body lay slumped on the ground, Effy and Katie stood in front of him mouths agape, Freddie and Cook behind him looking at each other then back to a shaking JJ.
The boys had arrived, searching the woods, running around calling Katie’s name. Each with some kind of weapon, not sure of what danger was waiting for them. JJ didn’t like the cricket bat in his hands, didn’t like even the thought of potentially using it, it felt heavy and terrifying, but he needed it, needed to find Katie, to protect her. He had never understood love before, but now he knew exactly what it was, what it felt like, what it looked like.
Freddie was practically limping his way through the woods, he could barely move what with the injuries he already had, plus the others Cook had inflicted on him earlier. But this felt like redemption, finding Katie, helping her, it was his way of making up for what he could have done, for the pain he could have caused her.
Cook marched around the woods like a determined mad man, he thrived on this kind of excitement, jumped up as he ran through trees looking for Katie.
It was JJ that spotted them first, spotted the way that Katie was trembling, how out of it Effy looked... What was Effy doing there? Clearly she wasn’t the problem, Katie’s fingers were interlaced with hers, they were clinging to each other. It was Ruby who looked to be the problem, JJ crept forward quietly, turning round when he heard someone behind him.
“What’s going on?” Freddie asked, hand on JJ’s arm as the two tried to get closer to the group of girls.
“No idea, keep quiet.” JJ whispered, head down he tried to listen in on what was happening.
“Ruby we can fix this yeah...” Katie’s voice was loud and clear, it was obvious she was trying to talk the other girl round.
“Lads how we doing? Is that fucking Katiekins up there? And Effy and Rubes?” Cook suddenly butted in, being silenced by Freddie shooting him a fierce glare, the three boys slowing down.
“Oh bobbins.” JJ blurted out when he spotted something in Ruby’s hand, holding on to the bat tighter his crawl turned into a sprint towards the three girls.
“How did that rock feel last time?” Ruby asked, JJ running forward and swinging the bat before the rock in Ruby’s hand had chance to collide with Katie’s head. The sound of the cricket bat pounding against the side of Ruby’s head was enough to silence them all.
Cook was the only one to move, he needed to take control, he was the leader, the one they were all looking to for answers. Only Cook didn’t have answers, only a question.
“Is she... Alive?” Cook asked, voice shaking as he looked round the group desperately.
Katie kept muttering the mantra to herself, her justification for what was happening in front of her very eyes. This had stopped being fun, now it was just scary and Katie didn’t feel like there was any way of escaping. Ruby had disappeared again, was too busy scaring Effy, getting sick thrills out of every jump, every scream. Katie needed to stop this, needed to find a way out, searching for her phone she quickly typed out a text, hovering over her contacts wondering who would be best to send it to. She didn’t want to send it to JJ, didn’t want him to find out what she’d done, but really she didn’t have any option, he was the only one that she wanted to help her out of this mess.
“Fucking hell Kates, thought you’d be wanting to get in on the fun. You know she thinks she’s dying or something. We should be taping it, You’ve Been Framed pay £250 for funny shit like this.” Ruby laughed, suddenly appearing behind Katie, Katie stuffing her phone in her pocket quickly before Ruby could notice.
“Where is she?” Katie panicked, worried that she no longer could keep an eye on Effy, it was the only thing making her feel alright, knowing that she had some kind of control over what was happening.
“Let her wander off down there.” Ruby shrugged, brow furrowing when Katie started running off in the direction of where she’d just pointed. “Katie what the fuck? Where are you going.”
“To find Effy, this has to stop.” Katie called out, running as fast as she could, tensing when she heard the crunching of leaves behind her, knowing that Ruby was running just behind her.
Katie really wished she hadn’t skipped so many P.E lessons at school, at the time running round a field hadn’t seemed too important, not as important as snogging some fit guy behind the gym, but running skills really would have come in handy right about now. Spotting a dazed looking Effy up ahead, Katie increased her speed, glad she’d chosen flats rather than her standard heels.
“Eff!” Katie called out, rushing to Effy’s side and grabbing hold of her hand. She could see the immediate relief on the other girls face and she felt nothing but guilt, a twisting feeling in her stomach.
“Katie, Katie why are you here, where’s Cook?” Effy begged, a distance in her voice, it sounding so familiar to the last time they’d been in these woods, but rather than hatred towards the girl in front of her, Katie just felt a strong desire to protect her.
“We’ve got to run yeah Eff, hold on to my hand and we’ll be alright, everything will be alright okay, I promise.” Katie insisted, immediately pulling Effy away, knowing that Ruby could see them, knowing that it was just a matter of time before the other girl caught up with them.
**
Naomi stood waiting for the kettle to boil, wandering round the kitchen she started to tidy up, cleaning was never a strong point of her mothers, there was at least a fortnights worth of post sat on the kitchen table that hadn’t been sorted through. It had always been a job of Naomi’s to actually place the bills under Gina’s nose, otherwise there was a good chance they’d be forgotten about until the threatening phone-calls began from angry electricity companies wanting their money. Gathering up the pile of letters, Naomi began to sort them into junk, bills and postcards from various weirdos who’d lived in her house at some point.
It was the writing that looked so much like her own that made her stop in her tracks, was it possible that handwriting was inheritable? The envelope had practically become a fan in Naomi’s grip, the shake in her hand sending it flapping back and forth, before finally she dropped it like it had burned her.
It was the delicate way her name had been written, it had been written like that in her first five birthday cards, they sat in a box under her bed in a box of memories that Naomi hadn’t opened in years. That handwriting sent chills down her spine, made her feel sick, made her heart race so fast it felt like her chest would explode. It physically hurt that he could have this effect on her, she wished she’d never wrote her letter, but at the same time couldn’t fight the fact that she was desperate to read what had been written inside.
“Nai what’s taking so long with that tea? A woman could die of dehydration in here!” Gina voice called from the living room, breaking Naomi from the stand off she was having with the envelope in front of her. She felt shame, embarrassment, knowing that her mother would feel so betrayed if she knew about this, this was all so messed up. She was so messed up.
“Coming mum.” Naomi called, shoving the envelope into her pocket, now she could feel it burning against her thigh, as she tried to ignore the need to look inside it, concentrating instead on pouring boiling water into the two mugs in front of her. She would read it later, when she was alone, when she could concentrate on the words. For now she needed to be there for her mother, needed to be the daughter Gina wanted her to be, even if fear plagued every single moment they spent together. Would these just be memories some day soon?
**
Karen had barely even opened the door, when it was pushed completely open and Cook had forced himself inside, followed by JJ who shot Karen an apologetic look. Cook didn’t bother to wipe his feet, dirty footprints marking his pathway from the front door all the way through to the stairs.
“James what the fuck? You can’t just barge in here like this, look at the mess you’ve made you total knob.” Karen complained, high heels clattering down the hallway as she made a mad dash to stop Cook tearing up the stairs.
“Fucking stay out of this Karen. Jay will you come the fuck on, we need to have a word with our mate Freds.” Cook growled, stopping Karen in her tracks as she realised that this situation was serious.
“Karen just go sit in the living room yeah.” Freddie’s voice called out from the top of the stairs where he appeared, stopping Cook in his tracks. “Please Karen just let me deal with this.”
The three boys stood in silence as Karen slipped off into the living room, shooting one last worried glance at her little brother before closing the door behind her.
“Cook we should just go, this isn’t going to make anything better.” JJ pleaded, as angry and upset as he’d been earlier, he knew that Cook beating Freddie up wouldn’t solve anything. It would probably just result in Cook getting in trouble.
“I didn’t mean to.” Freddie croaked, his voice cracking as he shook his head, running his hands through his hair.
“It’s fucking twisted mate, fucking messed up. She’s one of us, one of our fucking friends, Jay’s girlfriend. You’re not like this, you’re Freddie, the nice guy. I just don’t fucking understand it.” Cook spat, his voice low and threatening, causing Freddie to squirm uncomfortably.
“I’m screwed up Cook, Effy she...” Freddie started, before getting cut off by an angry Cook grabbing hold of his shirt, climbing the stairs and pushing him against a wall.
“She fucked us all over, she broke my heart but I would never do something like that to get over it. It’s a weak, pathetic bastard that would try something like that.” Cook shouted, fist colliding with Freddie’s already aching ribs, Freddie yelped in pain at the contact.
JJ stood watching horrified, his hands trying to find something to do to distract him from what was happening. Finding his phone, JJ was immediately drawn to the tiny yellow message sitting in the corner of his screen waiting to be opened. Noticing it was from Katie , it reminded him that he’d have to tell her about Freddie sooner or later.
I’m in trouble, Gobblers End, please I need you xxx
JJ was immediately hit with a wave of panic, knowing Katie was in trouble, the same place as she’d nearly died before. He needed to get to Katie, a feeling of dread building inside of him.
“Katie’s in trouble, Cook we have to go, leave him.” JJ instructed, watching as Cook dropped Freddie. “Cook she’s at Gobblers End.”
“Why would she go there, Katie wouldn’t go there.” Freddie groaned, clutching his stomach, looking back and forth between Cook and JJ.
“I think she’s really in trouble guys, she wouldn’t worry me like this if it wasn’t serious, what do we do now, what do we do?” JJ panicked, pacing slightly as Cook stood trying to formulate a plan.
“We need a car, I’ll nick one, some stupid fucker won’t have locked their door.” Cook decided, practically leaping down the stairs to place a supportive hand on JJ’s shoulder. JJ relaxing slightly the minute Cook started to take control.
“My dads car, we can take my dads car.” Freddie suggested, shrugging as the other two boys looked at him incredulously.
“We? You think we’re fucking involving you in this?” Cook scoffed, shaking his head at how desperate Freddie looked, desperate for friendship, for forgiveness.
“If you’re taking my dads car you’re taking me, we’ll get to her a lot quicker if we stop arguing and just go.” Freddie insisted, pulling himself up, walking slowly down the stairs resting against the banister as he walked.
“We won’t get in trouble if its Freddie’s dads car Cook, stealing a car could get you in serious trouble.” JJ shrugged, despite everything, having a full set of Musketeers seemed to make things better.
“Come the fuck on then.” Cook sighed, grabbing the car keys off the hallway table, the three boys making their way out the door.
**
Naomi had managed to escape to the comfort of her room once her mother had fallen asleep in front of the television, placing a blanket over her, Naomi had pressed a kiss to her mothers cheeks before moving upstairs.
Now in her room she paced slowly, fingers hovering over her pocket, drumming against it impatiently waiting for courage. Finally Naomi let herself sink to her knees, pressing against the softness of the rug. Pulling the envelope out, Naomi placed it in front of her, turning it over and ripping it open, her hand reached inside and clasped for the letter inside, unfolding it carefully, laying it out in front of her too scared to let her eyes focus on the words.
“My fucking mother heard us having sex.” Emily’s voice suddenly interrupted, pushing open the door, Emily simply sauntered inside like the house was her own. Oblivious to Naomi quickly stuffing the letter back into the envelope, and sliding it under her bed.
“Emily what the fuck? Did you even fucking knock?!” Naomi snapped aggressively, jumping up, surprising Emily with her force.
“When do I ever knock? This is our room remember, that’s what you said to me, meaning I could come here whenever I need to escape.” Emily explained, confused by Naomi’s reaction, Emily had practically had free roam of the house over the course of their relationship. She’d used her house key to get in figuring that Naomi would be in her bedroom, she didn’t expect her presence to bother Naomi.
“It’s not our room Emily, it’s my fucking room and you should knock.” Naomi grunted, knowing that this wasn’t Emily’s fault, that she wasn’t really angry at Emily, but that all the same Emily would be on the receiving end of her aggression.
“Jesus you really are blowing fucking hot and cold at the moment aren’t you? You treat me like a cunt at dinner, come and make it up to me, apologise to me and then you go right back to being a twat. Nice Naomi.” Emily complained, gently kicking the leg of Naomi’s bed, looking at Naomi with her puppy dog eyes which normally would melt Naomi’s heart but tonight simply served to annoy her.
“Just don’t Emily. Don’t start an argument, I can’t keep arguing.” Naomi sighed, tired of everything that was happening, dropping down on her bed, burying her face in her pillow.
“I just... Your mum gets her results tomorrow. I thought you’d need me.” Emily shrugged, shifting uncomfortably, she felt like she was back last year, when Naomi scared her, when she didn’t have the confidence to argue back.
“Lets just go to sleep yeah? Come here.” Naomi forced a smile, relenting, she held her arms out, pulling Emily in close. She could feel Emily relax in her arms, Naomi hated that power, hated that her mood could dictate someone else's.
“I love you.” Emily whispered, nuzzling her nose against Naomi’s neck.
“I know.” Naomi replied, patiently waiting for sleep. The letter from her father haunting her every thought, and when she eventually slipped into sleep, her every dream.
**
“Eff listen to me, Cook isn’t here, he was never going to be here. It’s a trick, a set up to scare you. It’s all got out of hand but I promise I’m looking after you now. I’ve sent a text to JJ, he’ll figure something out cos he’s smart yeah?” Katie smiled, wrapping an arm around Effy, the two of them crouched down hiding from Ruby who was still calling for them.
“You wanted to hurt me like I hurt you. I’m sorry Katie, I’m so sorry.” Effy sobbed, regaining some control, Katie’s hand in hers kept her calm, kept the bad thoughts from her head.
“Babes seriously as much as I’d love an apology sesh, we can totally do all this girly shit when we’re not being chased by a psycho in the woods.” Katie insisted, squeezing Effy’s hand, the two of them started to move slowly through the foliage.
“Ladies! There you are, now where the fuck have you two been?” Ruby grinned as the two girls managed to walk straight into her, Katie gulped audibly, trying to hold up a swaying Effy.
“You’re fucked in the head.” Katie spat, trying to step away from Ruby.
“You know you wouldn’t be the first person to tell me that, I like to see it more as not taking shit from a bunch of fuckers, who managed to screw up my life, just as soon as I’d managed to get myself straight.” Ruby growled, fists clenched, Katie could see that this was not a girl in her right state of mind. There were clearly bigger problems involved here, Katie felt nothing but fear being in her presence.
“Ruby we can fix this yeah. Effy hasn’t done anything to you, me neither, we’re friends.” Katie pleaded, trying anything now to sort this out, she didn’t have the physical strength to take on this girl, but she’d always been pretty good at talking herself out of things.
“It can’t be fixed.” Ruby whispered, clenching her eyes shut as if trying to block out something bad. “How did that rock feel last time?”
“Last time...” Katie muttered, because saying it like that implied there was going to be a next time, and as Ruby’s arm raised, Katie began to shake with anticipation of the darkness that had taken over her the last time she’d stood in these woods. Closing her eyes, Katie braced herself, like an execution she waited for the end.
**
“Sweet holy mother of Jesus.” JJ gulped, eyes wide as he looked down at the ground, dropping the cricket bat from his hands he stood in shock. Ruby’s lifeless body lay slumped on the ground, Effy and Katie stood in front of him mouths agape, Freddie and Cook behind him looking at each other then back to a shaking JJ.
The boys had arrived, searching the woods, running around calling Katie’s name. Each with some kind of weapon, not sure of what danger was waiting for them. JJ didn’t like the cricket bat in his hands, didn’t like even the thought of potentially using it, it felt heavy and terrifying, but he needed it, needed to find Katie, to protect her. He had never understood love before, but now he knew exactly what it was, what it felt like, what it looked like.
Freddie was practically limping his way through the woods, he could barely move what with the injuries he already had, plus the others Cook had inflicted on him earlier. But this felt like redemption, finding Katie, helping her, it was his way of making up for what he could have done, for the pain he could have caused her.
Cook marched around the woods like a determined mad man, he thrived on this kind of excitement, jumped up as he ran through trees looking for Katie.
It was JJ that spotted them first, spotted the way that Katie was trembling, how out of it Effy looked... What was Effy doing there? Clearly she wasn’t the problem, Katie’s fingers were interlaced with hers, they were clinging to each other. It was Ruby who looked to be the problem, JJ crept forward quietly, turning round when he heard someone behind him.
“What’s going on?” Freddie asked, hand on JJ’s arm as the two tried to get closer to the group of girls.
“No idea, keep quiet.” JJ whispered, head down he tried to listen in on what was happening.
“Ruby we can fix this yeah...” Katie’s voice was loud and clear, it was obvious she was trying to talk the other girl round.
“Lads how we doing? Is that fucking Katiekins up there? And Effy and Rubes?” Cook suddenly butted in, being silenced by Freddie shooting him a fierce glare, the three boys slowing down.
“Oh bobbins.” JJ blurted out when he spotted something in Ruby’s hand, holding on to the bat tighter his crawl turned into a sprint towards the three girls.
“How did that rock feel last time?” Ruby asked, JJ running forward and swinging the bat before the rock in Ruby’s hand had chance to collide with Katie’s head. The sound of the cricket bat pounding against the side of Ruby’s head was enough to silence them all.
Cook was the only one to move, he needed to take control, he was the leader, the one they were all looking to for answers. Only Cook didn’t have answers, only a question.
“Is she... Alive?” Cook asked, voice shaking as he looked round the group desperately.