Waiting in the Shadows Read online

  ‘… Work it out for yourself, Will!’ Margery was saying. ‘The old woman didn’t even leave enough to cover her own funeral, and we’re supposed to pick up the tab for bringing up her granddaughter! Just because I happen to be Brenda’s niece doesn’t mean I owe her anything. God knows I did enough for the pair of them when she was alive!’

  ‘But, Marge, she’s just a kid. She has no one to look after her,’ William replied.

  ‘How can we have her live here with our four boys?’ Margery continued. ‘Anyway, she’d not even friendly; quite hostile I find her most of the time!’

  ‘She’s just lost her grandmother, Marge. What do you expect her to be like?’ her husband countered.

  ‘She never was friendly! It’s no good, Will; she’s not moving in here. A couple of nights, then Social Services will have to sort something out for her. They can foot the bill. I’ve done my bit!’ Margery sounded firm.

  William made a few more weak pleas in Stella’s favour, but Margery refused to budge.

  Stella could see her face reflected in the hall mirror: eyes huge, the despair visible in her ghostly image. She silently crept back up to her bed and lay awake for hours until she finally fell asleep and dreamt she was in a long queue of ragged children holding up bowls to receive a ladle of gruel.

  The next morning Stella came downstairs after the boys had gone to school and William to work. She told Margery that she didn’t feel like going into school.

  Margery gave a tight smile, ‘I’m sure the teachers will understand, dear. I’m going into town. I’ve a bit of business to sort out.’

  Social Services, thought Stella as the car drove off. She went to make herself a cup of tea, but found there was no milk in the fridge. She decided to walk to the nearby supermarket.

  ‘Stella! So how are you today, love?’ Mrs Gardiner, her old neighbour, appeared beside her. ‘If you need any help, you know; sorting things out, in the old house, just let me know.’

  Stella looked startled.

  ‘Love, I’m really sorry. I didn’t want to upset you like this. I’m so sorry!’ Mrs Gardiner looked flustered.

  Somehow, Stella found her voice, ‘No. Please, I would really like you to help me. It’s just that I hadn’t thought …’

  Mrs Gardiner patted her arm, ‘Just tell me when you’re ready, Stella.’

  ‘Now,’ Stella stammered. ‘I’d like to do it now.’

  Mrs Gardiner looked surprised.

  ‘If you have the time, of course. If it suits you,’ Stella added.

  ‘No time like the present. Pay for your milk and we’ll go and have a cup of tea at my place before we make a start,’ Mrs Gardiner nodded.

  They had just left the supermarket when a loud cry made them look around. Two security men were struggling to hold a teenage boy. A police car drew up and a policeman jumped out beside them. He was speaking into a walkie-talkie.

  ‘The security man said he’s one of those ferals! He used to work at the Centre, said he knew it was one of them’ He grinned at his partner who had joined him, ‘A feral, eh? Quite a catch!’

  ‘Looks like a regular young thug to me!’ he shrugged.

  Stella looked across at the boy who had now stopped struggling. He glanced up at her. His face looked empty, with no sign of hope. She shivered as she realised it reminded her of her own face reflected in the mirror the previous night. Mrs Gardiner tugged her arm, ‘Come on, let’s go! Looks like they’ve got one of those ferals.’

  Suddenly Stella hurled the milk container she was holding across the car park, behind the police men.

  ‘They’re over there! Seven of them, no, eight! The ferals, they’re coming for us!’

  Amidst all the shouting and screaming, Stella noticed the boy slipping free and quickly disappearing into the surrounding woodland.

  She kept on screaming until one of the security guards walked up to her and shouted in her face.

  ‘You know, you let a violent killer slip through our fingers there!’

  Mrs Gardiner stepped in front of him, ‘Now, young man, it’s not her fault. She’s going through a distressing time!’

  She whispered something to him in a low voice. He made a gruff reply and walked towards the police car.

  ‘Come on, love,’ Mrs Gardiner tucked her arm through Stella’s and led her past the crowd. ‘Are you sure you’re up to this today?’

  Stella hunched her shoulders and nodded.

  Two hours later, Mrs Gardiner pushed the last of the clothes into a plastic bag and tied it closed.

  ‘How are you getting on with those papers, Stella? I’m sure Margery and William will help you sort out bank accounts and things like that.’

  ‘I’ve put those ones in this pile,’ Stella replied. ‘I’ve found some photos of me and Gran when I was a baby. And one of Mum. None of Dad, though. Did you know him at all, Mrs Gardiner?’

  ‘I met him once or twice when my John was still alive. He came round to visit Brenda with your mum, first when she was pregnant, then again when you were about a year old. He was a quiet sort, never said much,’ Mrs Gardiner told her. ‘Then the next time we saw you and your mum, you were about two and you were moving in with your Gran. Must have been just after he left.’

  ‘Was Mum upset?’ Stella asked her.

  ‘At first she was, but she seemed to be getting over it. You were the light of her life. Then suddenly, she got sick. You used to come round here and have your tea with us on the days your Gran would take her to the hospital,’ she sighed, ‘A month later she passed away. Then there was just you and your Gran.’

  ‘And now it’s just me,’ Stella said quietly.

  ‘I’m sure Margery will look after you, love,’ Mrs Gardiner stood up. ‘You know, I made a fruit cake yesterday. I bet you could do with a slice and a cup of tea?’

  Stella nodded, ‘I’ll just finish this cupboard, and then I’ll join you next door.’

  Soon two suitcases of her belongings stood beside the door; not much to show for nearly sixteen years, she thought. She put the front door key in her pocket and went to the next house.

  Stella sipped her tea and nibbled at a slice of fruit cake, ‘Mrs Gardiner?’

  ‘Hmm, love?’

  ‘Was that really one of the ferals at the supermarket today? He didn’t look like a violent killer, did he?’ she asked.

  ‘Well, he didn’t look like it, but there have been people disappearing without trace in those hills over the last five years. And some casual workers from the remoter farms. I suppose not all killers are going to look like killers!’ She patted Stella’s hand, ‘Don’t you feel guilty about making such a fuss and him escaping. No one will hold you responsible for your reactions today, pet. No one will think you really wanted him to escape.’

  Stella looked into her cup. She had wanted the boy to escape.

  She thanked Mrs Gardiner for her help and set off for Margery’s house shortly after that.

  ‘I’m glad you’ve made a start sorting out the house,’ Margery said as they sat down to tea that evening. ‘The rent’s paid up until the end of the month. I expect they’ll have it lined up for another family then.’

  William gave a slight cough and looked at his wife. She didn’t seem to notice and continued.

  ‘Tomorrow, Stella, I’ll need you to come down to the council offices with me, to sort out your Gran’s affairs. And things. They won’t be expecting you back at school this week anyway.’

  ‘I wish I could have a week off sch …!’ her youngest son started to say, but someone kicked him under the table.

  ‘Ow! What was that for?’ he retaliated, glaring at his eldest brother.

  Stella pushed back the chair, ‘I think I’ll just read upstairs for a while.’

  ‘Yes, go on, love,’ William smiled at her.

  ‘She doesn’t even have to do the washing up!’ the youngest was complaining as she went up the stairs.

  It was nearly midnight by the time Stella felt sure everyone was asleep
. She had lain for the past few hours planning what she would do. It all seemed so clear now. Maybe Gran had been watching over her at the supermarket. She got up and put a pillow under the blankets. It would look like she was still asleep if someone glanced into the room. It would give her more time.

  Every stair seemed to creak loudly as she made her way downstairs. Several times she stood still, holding her breath, but no one stirred. She pushed open the front door then closed it as quietly as she could after her.

  Hurrying along the pavement, she felt a mixture of fear and excitement. She glanced up at the dark windows of Mrs Gardiner’s house as she let herself silently into her old home. She didn’t dare risk having the overhead light on, so she pulled the curtains and put a small lamp on the floor near her. Opening her suitcase she selected two pairs of jeans, two jumpers, and some underwear. These she pushed into the rucksack she used for school. She went into the kitchen and put some tinned food, an opener, and a bottle of water into the rucksack. She rummaged through some of the bags Mrs Gardiner had packed until she found a sleeping bag. This she packed into another small bag. Finally, she found a torch and put in into her coat pocket. A lump filled her throat as she picked up the envelope containing the photos of herself, Gran, and her mother. She put them carefully into one of the bags.

  ‘Goodbye, old home!’ she whispered as she took one last glance around the room, turned off the light, and headed for the front door.

  It was difficult making her way up the hillside. Frequently she tripped over branches and stones. She was afraid to use her torch until she had put a good distance between the town and herself. Finally, she stood and looked down at the few lights on in the town. She was free of Margery and Social Services! Now she had to find the ferals.

  By dawn, Stella was high up on the mountainside. She had seen no one, just a few sheep. Spotting a small cave, she decided to rest for a while. The sleeping bag was warm and it was nice to rest her aching feet. Soon she nodded off to sleep.

  ‘What do you think it is?’

  ‘A Lab?’

  ‘No. They don’t let newly freed Labs travel on their own.’

  ‘Non-Labs don’t come up here.’

  ‘Maybe it’s one of those sacrifices like they used to make. To placate us.’

  ‘They weren’t scared of Ket.’

  ‘Maybe it’s a town reject.’

  Stella stirred and opened her eyes. She pushed the sleeping bag down and looked around her. She was surrounded by a group of teenagers, all about her age, maybe a little older. One girl was black with long hair in narrow plaits. There were identical triplet Asian girls and twin blonde boys. All were looking at her curiously.

  ‘Hi,’ she ventured.

  ‘I think we should take it to Abe,’ the first girl said.

  ‘Yes,’ the Asian girls agreed.

  The boys nodded.

  Stella climbed out of her sleeping bag and nervously rolled it up.

  ‘Where are we going?’ she asked.

  The others picked up her belongings and signalled her to follow them.

  They led her to a cave high in the hills. The entrance was scarcely visible from outside, but once they had travelled for about a hundred metres down a narrow, dark tunnel they entered a larger area lit by tapers. From the gouged marks on the walls, it had obviously been dug out and enlarged. Stella noticed there were several other tunnels leading away from the main one. The black girl signalled her to sit on the floor in the centre of the area. Slowly she found herself surrounded by other people of around her own age. They seemed to be from all the different races and colours of the world. She was surprised at the number of twins and triplets there were, and there was even one set of quadruplets. All stood looking at her.

  ‘What do you think it is?’ a girl, one of triplets, asked. Her sisters gave a questioning look to all the others, as if they had all asked the question.

  ‘Is it a Lab?’ a boy asked. He and his twin looked expectantly at the group who had found Stella.

  ‘We haven’t checked yet,’ one of the Asian girls answered. She and her sisters looked nervous.

  A boy stepped forward and grabbed Stella’s right arm. He pushed her sleeve up.

  ‘No. Must be a Non-Lab.’

  ‘We can ask it,’ suggested one of the twin boys who had found her. His brother nodded and looked at Stella, ‘Are you a boy or a girl?’

  Stella couldn’t help but smile as she fingered her short locks, ‘I’m Stella, I’m a girl.’

  ‘Are you a Non-Lab?’ the first boy ventured.

  Stella frowned, ‘I don’t know what you mean. I’m just a girl, still at school. Well, until recently.’

  ‘So what have we here?’ a loud voice sounded. Everyone stood back to let a tall, dark-haired man come through. He looked older than the others; probably in his twenties, Stella thought. He wore jeans and a faded T-shirt that outlined a muscular body. He grabbed her arm and pushed up her sleeve again.

  ‘We’ve checked, Abe. She’s not a Lab,’ a girl told him.

  ‘Where did you find her? What was she doing up here?’ Abe continued, his eyes not leaving Stella. He pulled her coat off and turned her around. He roughly ran his hands over her body, pulling coins and the torch out of her pockets which he glanced over before tossing them down. Finally, he pushed her down on to the floor again.

  Stella started to feel uneasy under his gaze.

  ‘She was sleeping in the little cave up near the pine tree,’ one of the Asian girls said, while her sisters nodded in agreement.

  Abe had now tipped the contents of Stella’s bag out onto the ground and picked up and shook each thing.

  ‘Nothing visible, anyway,’ he announced. He tilted Stella’s face up to him, ‘Who are you? What are you doing here?’

  She tried to pull away, ‘I’m Stella. I’ve come to join you. You’re the ferals, aren’t you?’

  ‘The wild ones!’ Abe gave a laugh and released his grip. ‘Why would you want to join us, Stella?’

  She rubbed her face, ‘Because … I know how you feel … everyone around here is against you. I’ve no one either. And I saw one of you yesterday, at the supermarket. He didn’t look anything like what they say about you,’ She looked around, ‘None of you do.’

  ‘It was me she saw. She enabled me to escape,’ a voice said. The others looked around and then stood back as the youth Stella had seen the day before came forward. Stella smiled at him and watched him slowly smile back at her.

  ‘Don’t do that!’ a tall blonde-haired girl shouted at Stella.

  ‘What?’ she asked startled.

  ‘Make him smile!’

  ‘Ket!’ Abe turned on him, ‘You know it’s forbidden to go into the town during daylight! And only those with permission can go at night. Your permission will be suspended as from now. Look what danger you have caused us!’

  ‘I’m not dangerous!’ Stella protested. ‘I’m on my own. No one knows I’m here!’

  ‘Be silent!’ the blonde-haired girl snapped at her.

  ‘Det!’ Ket stepped forward. He patted Stella’s arm and smiled at her again.

  Det glared at him and turned to Abe who nodded.

  ‘Det is right, we have no place for smiles …’

  ‘But Miranda used to smile at us, remember, Abe?’ Ket continued.

  ‘Yes, and look where it got Miranda!’ Abe brushed him aside and pointed at Stella. ‘She can go to the Centre today.’

  ‘What?’ Ket stepped in front of Stella, ‘But she rescued me yesterday! Stella presents no danger to us!’

  ‘She is no use to us either, except at the Centre,’ Abe said calmly. Both men looked at each other. There was a palpable tension in the room.

  Suddenly Ket lowered his gaze and mumbled, ‘Sorry, Abe. You are right. She must go to the Centre.’

  It seemed as if everyone had been holding their breath until he spoke. The whole room relaxed as Abe gave him a curt nod. He turned to Det, ‘Take her down.’

  ‘Wher
e are you taking me?’ Stella looked beseechingly at Ket as Det pulled her to her feet and led her towards one of the side tunnels. Ket stood motionless, eyes on the ground.

  ‘Just a minute, Abe,’ the black girl stepped forward.

  ‘You also have objections, Sel?’ Abe looked at her questioningly.

  ‘No, of course not. It’s just that we have two to send to the Centre today. They can’t do a third. We will have to keep her here for a few days,’ Sel said.

  ‘Mmm. You’re right,’ Abe nodded.

  ‘I’ll arrange a guard rota,’ Det told Abe.

  Soon Stella found herself in a small hollowed-out area at the end of a narrow tunnel. Det had pushed her to the floor and left triplet boys to guard her. They all looked away uneasily when she tried to speak to them.

  Shortly afterwards Sel appeared with Stella’s rucksack.

  ‘Your possessions,’ she said giving her a slight smile.

  ‘What’s going to happen to me?’ Stella asked her.

  ‘Don’t worry. Just be ready,’ she whispered, and then with another slight smile, she left.

  Stella rummaged through her bag until she found the photos. She looked at the one of her gran.

  ‘Looks like I’ve been pretty stupid, Gran. You always told me I should think before I do anything!’

  The twin blond boys she had met in the little cave had replaced the first guards. They gave her some bread and cheese and a bottle of water. They watched her silently as she ate.

  Soon after that, Stella fell into a light doze. She became aware of voices and, assuming it was another change of guards, was surprised to see Ket in front of her. He signalled her to be silent.

  ‘Quick. We haven’t much time!’ He hoisted her rucksack onto his back and grabbing her hand, led her down the tunnel to where Sel was standing. She had a leather bag the size and shape of a thick book strapped across her chest.

  ‘It’s OK!’ she whispered. She hurried on ahead padding softly on the loose earth.

  They travelled for an hour, weaving through different tunnels, some wide, some narrow and low, before Stella felt a fresh breeze on her face. Soon afterwards they emerged into the evening light. Stella took a deep breath and leaned against a tree trunk.