All That She Can See(78)

‘Look how sad you are, Peter. We can fix that.’ Happy took a step towards him.

‘We can fix that. Clearer vision means a clear mind. I’ve heard it all, Mum. Sooner or later everything you’ve done is going to catch up to you. Or… maybe they already have.’

Peter’s gaze shifted from his mother to the experiments who had moved so stealthily they were standing behind her, close enough to touch her. 347 led the charge. He jumped on her, knocking her to the ground. 349 straddled her and slapped her hard across the face over and over and over and she stayed straddling her while 345 and 348 took Happy’s legs and dragged her into the forest where the trees were thickest.





My oldest friend, I’m sorry I won’t be there when you wake up. We couldn’t risk getting dragged back to the Guild so we’ve gone into hiding. Eloped, actually. My Shura and me. But I wanted you to know that we’ll always come back should you need us. You found her for me and that is something I will spend the rest of my life repaying you for. I also discovered why the Guild couldn’t find me when I escaped. Shura. Shura was blocking any trace of me from their systems. Everywhere I went, she made sure no one followed, and now we’re together again because of you.

I’ve left all my details with Sally (who said Shura and I are destined for a strange but happy life together… ) so you’ll know how to get in touch initially. It may just take us a little bit of time to get back to you. I’ll find a way to let you know where we move on to when the time comes. Who knows where we’ll end up. Then again, who knows where you’ll end up. I assume the Guild will take some time to regroup. We caused a lot of damage when we destroyed their control panel. It was at the heart of all they did and without it, they’re stuck. But we must remain careful – they will find a way to return and I worry it will be more dangerous and painful than before. We’re safe for a while, though. We’ve got a head start so we need to make the most of it. There’s nothing you can’t do though, Cherry. When life tries to cut you down you seem to get taller and stronger.

You’re my hero.





Peter



P.S. I’m sorry about Loneliness but if it’s any consolation, it wouldn’t have lasted much longer, not now that Chase is around. He’s a really good guy.

P.P.S. I’m trying to quit “smoking”, I promise.





27





Loneliness Escapes





Cherry awoke with a start. It took her a moment to realise where she was: in her own bed in the flat above the bakery. Chase was lying next to her, his hand in hers. She tried to sit up and her whole body throbbed. She groaned in pain.

‘Who’s up? Oh, Cherry, you’re awake. What can I get? Are you hot? Cold? Thirsty? Hungry? I can get you anything you need?’ Margie stood up from her chair in the corner and ran downstairs before anyone could answer.

Bruce laughed. He was curled up on the rug on the floor. ‘She’s become a whole new woman in the last few days, Cherry!’

‘I think that’s your doing though, Bruce,’ Sally said, from her position at the foot of the bed.

‘What’s going on?’ Cherry croaked. Her lips were parched and her tongue stuck to the roof of her mouth. ‘Why are you all here?’

‘You don’t remember?’ Sally said. ‘I was your getaway driver.’

‘Getaway driver?’ Cherry rubbed her head and tried to sit up again. Bits and pieces started coming back to her. The Guild. Chase. Peter. Shura. Happy. Loneliness. ‘I do remember but, Sally, how did you know where to find us?’

‘Your friend Peter. What an oddball he is! Such a fidget, he wouldn’t sit still the whole way there. Then again that lovely little thing that came back with him kept him quiet on the way home. He couldn’t stop looking at her and I don’t think it was because of all the blood. That reminds me,’ Sally dug into her bag and pulled out a piece of folded paper, ‘Peter asked me to give you this. I tried to make him stay until you were up and about but he seemed pretty adamant that they leave as soon as possible.’

Cherry felt an urgency start to boil in her own stomach. ‘We have to leave, too,’ she said, reaching for Chase’s hand. ‘Chase!’ She shook him lightly and then more vigorously as panic set in.

He woke abruptly, startled. ‘What’s going on?! Cherry, you’re awake!’ He sat up as quickly as he could, trying to blink the sleep out of his eyes. A rattling came from the stairs and Margie appeared in the doorway with a tray full of mugs and plates.

‘I didn’t know if you’d prefer tea or coffee so I made both and I’ve also brought up some biscuits but I thought then again maybe you might not have an —’

‘I’m sorry. We have to go. They’ll be looking for us.’ Cherry threw back the covers and despite the pounding in her head and the metallic taste of blood at the back of her throat she forced herself to stand. ‘We have to go.’

Margie quickly set the tray down on the floor and tried to steady Cherry. ‘Now, I don’t know what happened, but no one’s looking for you!’

Chase kicked the blanket off his legs and got out of bed quickly. He held Cherry’s gaze, knowing they were thinking the same thing, and then bolted out of the room and down into the bakery. Cherry strained her ears to listen and the panic bubbled harder when Chase’s footsteps were heavy and fast as he ran back upstairs.