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Derek bumps into me. “Whoops, sorry, sweet girl. Did I hurt the baby?”
“No, silly, you barely bumped me. Come on, let’s go into the dining room.” I smile up at him. He walks over to Duncan and says something to him.
The meal is quiet as they eat and I push around a piece of ham, so they think I ate and swallowed down some potatoes. I was able to eat the biscuits better, I know that the conversation from before dinner has set my nerves off. The piece of art means more to me then my completion of art school.
“I'll be right back,” Duncan says as he rises. “Dinner was really good, Ana.” He walks out, and I turn to Maya.
“How about tomorrow I come over to the office and show you the swatches I picked for the carriage house?” I don't notice the quiet that's descended on the room.
“Ana, why?” I look up to see the look of shock on Daddy and Duncan's face.
“What?” I then see the picture in Duncan's hand, and I reach for my pocket and realize the key is gone. I swing my head to Derek. “How could you?” The look of guilt on his face doesn't stop me. I rise up so fast my chair tips over. “That’s mine, and you should've never gone into that room. I know it’s awful, but it makes me feel calm. Now, if you all could leave because I'm no longer feeling calm,” I say with my hands on my hips. The fuzziness swims around the edges of my eyes and I grab the edge of the table to maintain my stance. How dare they invade my privacy, my sanctuary?
“Ana, it’s beautiful. All the work in your studio is awesome. You’re more talented now than ever before. This picture shows where you started, and those in there show what you've become,” Duncan says in a firm voice, holding up the piece. “I know where this needs to go. Derek care to help me?” He and Derek head upstairs with my picture.
“Daddy, how could you? And you, Maya?” I say to them at a complete loss.
“Ana, we knew you were hiding your work, and we know how it used to make you feel. You need to do it to heal, please don't hide it. Your art is to you what my Krav Maga is to me,” Maya says as she walks up to me and takes me in her arms. I want to fight her. I want to be angry with her. “Call Dr. Mason, sweetie, he'll help you,” she whispers in my ear.
“Okay, we're leaving now. Sis, you are talented, please don't hide it anymore,” Duncan says as he kisses my cheek. Derek and Daddy kiss me and leave. I'm standing in my dining room completely at a loss. I take off the apron and walk out the door. I know Helen will clean up the mess we’ve left.
Tonight I walk to the nearest loch and watch the swans as they swim around quietly. I've been sketching them and using pastels to add in the colors. I don't normally do scenery, I sketch people, but this couple spoke to my soul. I'm so lost in my thoughts and the peace, it takes me a minute to realize I'm no longer alone.
The hairs on the back of my neck stand on end. I turn all the way around, looking but still can’t see anyone. Goose bumps run along my skin. My breath comes in pants. I give in to the panic and take off, running through the glade and into the woods.
The woods are darker from the approaching evening and I need to slow down. I stop and turn, and hear a twig snap behind me. Then another, closer this time. I’m not alone in the woods. I hear a mumbled curse as my pursuer gets tangled up in something. I take off running. I don't think, I just react. Oh my God, he found me. He'll kill them all then me after he takes my baby. I trip and fall, but a pair of strong arms wrap around me to keep me from hitting the ground.
“Calm down, Ana, it's me, Ian. Calm down, lass. I’ve got you,” he says in a soothing voice, but I'm so lost in the panic attack, I fight him. “No, lassie, calm down for the little bairn. You need to relax.” He lifts me up as I continue to fight him, and sits down with me in his arms on his lap. “Lassie, breathe. You’re about to pass out.” I look up into his eyes and see the worry. I try to calm my breaths but can't. I start to cry, and he pulls me in closer. “Calm down. Here…listen.” He pushes his phone against my ear.
“Angel, calm down.” I stop struggling and listen. “Angel, breathe,” Lieutenant says through the phone.
“Lieutenant…I'm so sorry. I went back every day looking for you. I tried to fight him. I'm sorry.” I cry into the phone. My mind is back there, in the pub, and he's looking down at me as I'm about to leave him. Goodbye, Lieutenant. This has been one pleasure I will never forget.
As I drift off, I hear another voice.
“She just fell asleep. I'll take her to my cabin, then home. She probably won't remember this… Okay, talk to you soon. Let us know what your new number is when you get it.”
After that, there’s nothing.
Chapter Seven
Joshua
July
I'm awoken by the screams of Mum crying. “No, please stop.” I slide quietly from the bed and crawl to the door. If he catches me out of bed, he'll come after me. I'm almost to the door when I hear a loud thunk, and the wall shakes.
“Mum, no.” I jump up and run to the door. I round the corner to the living room. She is lying on the floor, blood covering her face. One arm at an odd angle. He turns and sees me. I'm going to be beat; she weakly grabs for him.
“No, please. Don't hurt him. He's just a boy,” she begs.
I can't take this anymore. As he comes for me, I drop and roll under the coffee table, coming up on the other side. He turns to come after me, but in his drunkenness, he stumbles. I see his gun on the table where he left it after probably threatening her with it again. I grab it and swing around to him.
“Ace, don't point that at me 'less you mean to kill me, cause I'll kill you when I get to you,” he slurs.
“No, please don't hurt him. He's still a little boy,” Mum says between her sobs.
“Shut up, Patty. He’s almost a man, he's twelve.” He spits at her as he kicks her in the ribs, barely keeping from stumbling again.
