Nightshade

33

Eric clamped his hand over Bella’s mouth. ‘Shut up or I’ll snap your neck,’ he said. He’d dressed but hadn’t put his shoes on. Candy had put on her clothes, too, and she stood at the foot of the bed, collecting up Bella’s clothes. ‘All I’m doing is taking you upstairs to clean you. You need a bath. You have to be clean for when we take you back to your mummy and daddy. Do you understand me?’

Bella nodded fearfully.

‘Good girl. Now I’m going to take my hand away from your mouth but if you scream I’ll hurt you, I’ll hurt you real bad. Okay?’

Bella nodded again and Eric slowly removed his hand. His palm was soaked with her tears and he wiped his hand on his jeans. ‘Candy said she was going to kill me,’ she whispered.

‘She was joking,’ said Eric. He flashed Candy an angry glare. ‘We’re going to get you clean and dressed and then we’ll take you to see your mummy and daddy. Tonight you’ll be tucked up safe and sound in your own bed.’

‘You swear?’

Eric nodded. ‘I swear.’

‘Cross your heart and swear to die?’

‘Cross my heart and swear to die,’ said Eric. It was an easy lie to tell because he didn’t believe in God. He didn’t believe in anything much.

Candy laughed and Eric glared at her. He patted Bella on the shoulder. ‘You and me will go upstairs to the bathroom,’ he said. ‘Would you like a bubble bath?’

‘I just want to go home,’ said Bella. She sniffed and wiped her nose with the back of her arm. ‘Please just let me go home.’

‘You are going home,’ he said. ‘Don’t worry.’

He took her by the hand and led her upstairs. First he would clean her, getting rid of any DNA evidence. Then he’d kill her. Then they’d drive her out to the New Forest and bury her near the others. And then the hunt would begin again.