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“Don’tcha make a sound. I swear, y’ll regret it if ye do.”
My hands may be bound, but my fingers are free to show her what I think of her request when I flip her off.
She actually laughs before quickly closing and locking the door.
My interest is piqued, and I strain my hearing, hoping to get some clue to what’s going on. When I hear a knock on the door, I hold my breath. Is this the reason she wanted me gagged?
“Hi,” I hear her say. “Come in.”
Heavy footsteps reveal the guest has accepted her invitation, and that it’s likely a man. The front door closes, and the wooden hallway reveals the footsteps getting closer to the room I’m in.
“Shay!” I hear her call out.
The flat is small, so no matter where she and Shay are, I can usually hear them. Shay runs into the hallway, but comes to an abrupt stop when he greets whoever his mother has invited into their home.
“Hi,” he says, his suspicion clear.
I’ve come to like him as when his mother is asleep, he often sneaks into my room. He promises he is still looking for the small key, and I believe him. Someone so small doesn’t understand what a lie is.
I’ve learned where I’m being held—in a flat about an hour out of Belfast.
When he brought me his mother’s phone, I thought it would be over, but without a password, I couldn’t text or call anyone. I wanted to call the police, but I know they’re dirty, so I can’t take that risk. I will get out of here—one way or another—and I know Shay will be the key.
Being around him brings me a sense of…peace. I don’t know why. He reminds me of…
“Hi, Shay.”
Puck?
There’s no way.
The world stops spinning, and I’m afraid I’ll stop breathing, and that has nothing to do with being gagged. My mind is playing tricks on me, I’m sure of it, but time stands still when I hear the voice I’ve longed to hear wrap me in a warm embrace.
“My name is Puck. But ye can call me Punky if ye like.”
My heart clenches. He’s here. He’s really here. It’s finally over. A sob escapes me because he’s alive. My world is whole again.
“Punky?” Shay questions, and I picture him curling his lip in distaste. So this is the first time they’ve met? Is it also the first time he’s met Shay’s mom?
“Aye. I got called that when I was a wee lad. No older than you.”
Shay’s mother, whose name I still do not know, laughs.
Shay clearly doesn’t share the sentiment. “That’s a stupid name.”
“Mind yer manners,” she reprimands.
“Naw, don’t scold the lad.”
That voice, that voice has always been my salvation, but I don’t understand why he’s here. I want to believe he’s here to save me, but he’s not, and that’s because…he doesn’t even know I’m here.
That’s about to change.
“Puck!” I scream, but it’s merely a muffled cry thanks to the sock shoved down my throat.
But I can’t give up.
Rattling the cuffs against the bedhead, I hope Puck can hear it. But the noise is muted as I have no slack with the cuffs. I am bound tightly.
