ASBO: A Novel of Extreme Terror(36)

“That’s good shit,” said one of the twins orgasmically. Andrew couldn’t tell whether it was Dom or Jordan.

“Innit,” said Michelle. “Fuckin’ heaven.”

“Not too much,” Frankie told them. “We can’t zone out when there’s shit to take care of.”

Michelle cackled maliciously then sauntered over towards Andrew. She patted him on the cheek hard enough that it was almost a slap. “You ready to party, old man? You want some of this?” She rubbed her fingers against Andrew’s lips and forced past to his gums. He tasted the powder on her fingernails and suddenly his entire mouth went numb. He spat, trying to clear his mouth.

She removed her hand and Andrew stared her dead in the eye. He said nothing, but privately thought about how disturbing it was that such a young girl could be so devoid of remorse or appropriate emotions. There was no telling how far these messed-up teenagers were prepared to go. Andrew looked across at Pen who was looking back at him from beside Davie. She had the same anxious expression on her face that he no doubt wore on his. Both of them were afraid, but both of them were also indignant of the injustice taking place inside their home. There was a look on Pen’s face which told Andrew that underneath her anxiety was a steely determination to not give in to these thugs. He felt exactly the same way.

Our home, thought Andrew. The one place we’re supposed to feel safe. I won’t let a bunch of uncontrollable kids take that away from me.

Frankie switched the television on and turned up the volume, then gave Andrew a catlike grin. “Don’t want people hearing the screams now, do we?”

Andrew swallowed a lump in his throat. Things were about to begin. He felt like he was sitting on a rollercoaster climbing up the very first hill about to take a horrifying plunge.

Michelle clapped her hands together. “Sweet! Friends has just started. That shit is so funny.”

Frankie pulled Michelle’s arm so that she spun to face him. “We’re not here to watch bloody Ross shag Rachel.”

Michelle’s smile sunk away and she nodded. She looked like a chastised child.

Frankie really has a hold on these kids. What a difference a few years of age can make. They almost look up to him like a father.

“You guys keep an eye on things,” Frankie told the group. “I’m going to check out the kitchen.”

“What for?” Davie asked him, an apprehensive tone to his voice.

Frankie ruffled his brother’s hair. “Just going to look for some munchies.”

Then Frankie disappeared into the kitchen. Somehow the room felt empty without him, like an atmosphere of oppression and danger had left the room. Andrew took the chance to speak to the others.

“Davie, you have to stop this? We’ve done nothing to you.”

Davie shook his head and didn’t reply – his expression was tormented.

“Davie!” Andrew repeated.

A slap stung his cheek, rattling his entire face. It was one of the twins that had hit him. “Shut the f*ck up, bitch, or I’ll mess you up bad!”

“Nice one, Dom,” said the other twin. Andrew noticed a slight difference between them now. The other twin, Jordan, had a wispy goatee growing on his chin, whilst Dom was clean shaven. Dom also wore a sovereign ring which had been attached to the hand that had slapped him. Andrew could feel a throbbing bruise forming already.

“What do you get out of this?” Andrew directed the question to all of them.

“Shits-n-giggles,” Dom replied. “Now be quiet, or else.”

“Or else what? You’re going to do what you want to do anyway.”

“Yeah, but we can make it hurt a lot worse,” said Frankie re-entering the room. “So don’t get on our tits.”

Frankie was clasping a pair of scissors that he must’ve gotten from one of the kitchen drawers. The blades were long and glinted under the soft light of the living room.

“Before the party starts we need to get everyone looking presentable.” Frankie pointed the scissors at Pen. “And I think this old bag is in serious need of a haircut.”

The teenagers cheered, except for Davie who seemed like he was trying to force a smile but couldn’t quite manage it.

“Leave my wife alone!” Andrew shouted.

Frankie ignored the outburst and grabbed a hold of Pen’s hair. She squealed, making a tormented sound that Andrew had not heard from her before and would be happy to never hear again.