The Brays
Page 16
Everything had changed after Amity was attacked. The entire campus was suddenly a tense, angry and frightening place to be. Many students had put their study on hold and gone home. Others had moved to other accommodation where they felt safer. The students who had stayed seemed quieter, talking in hushed tones and moving around in groups. Two security guards patrolled the grounds and were visible much of the time.
Amity’s room was vacant next door. Layne could not get used to the fact that her bubbly friend was not there. She sat on her bed looking toward the bathroom that had been their shared bathroom. It had been one week since Amity’s attack, and just yesterday Amity’s parents had arrived with boxes and packed up her belongings. Layne had helped them as she knew which items in the bathroom belonged to Amity. It was a strangely sad and depressing time knowing her friend would not be back. The bathroom looked bleak and lonely and she found it difficult to go in there.
In different circumstances, Layne could see that Amity’s mother, Beth, would be bubbly and fun like her daughter, but she was subdued and saddened. Beth put her arm around Layne and said that Amity was doing well and when she felt well enough, she would like Layne to visit. She said that Amity had often spoke about what a wonderful friend Layne had been to her. It brought tears to Layne’s eyes. She hated to think of her friend Amity in pain or hurt in any way.
The rapist had carried a knife in this attack and Amity had suffered several nasty knife wounds to her hands trying to fight off the attacker. She had put up a good fight, but the man had been stronger, and threatened to cut her throat. After the attack, Amity had decided not to continue her studies and moved back home to her parents. Layne thought it was completely understandable under the circumstances. She felt so guilty, the neglectful friend who had left Amity on her own. Of all people, Layne was the one who could have stopped the attack had she been there. She felt she had let Amity down.
Layne felt such a hopelessness in her life at that moment. It was hard enough with the Brays mapping out her life and being given no option, not seeing Andy very much and now to lose Amity as well was too much. She phoned her grandmother and they had come to collect her. It wasn’t until she saw them that she realised how much she had missed them. Wrapped up in her grandfather’s strong arms and smelling his smell was like coming home.
Andy had told her that he was going home for a week as well. He had not seen his family much lately either and he needed some time. They sent text messages regularly during their week off to let each other know what they were up to. She missed Andy’s company as she had barely seen him in the previous two months.
Her grandparents asked lots of questions about the Brays and the situation. She tried to be as honest as she could without wanting to alarm them too much. She promised them that no matter where her life took her, and what situation she could find herself in with the Brays, she would always be their granddaughter, and would always visit them and stay in touch. Her grandmother constantly wiped tears from her eyes and Layne knew she was worried sick about her safety.
She did tell them about her increasing powers, though she used the word ‘gifts’ when talking to them as that was the word they had always used. They were very interested in this development and admitted that subduing her gifts and hiding them may have hindered her. She assured them that had her gifts been more pronounced when she was younger, she felt confident that the Brays would have brought her back into the fold much earlier than now. She felt her grandparents had done the best they could have.
When the week was over, her grandparents did not want her to return to university. They were too worried about the attacker still on the loose, and her safety. She assured them that it was not going to be a problem as there were security guards all over the campus now. She was only planning to be at school for a few more weeks before she would be taking her final exams. She promised them she would be super careful and reluctantly they drove her back to Melbourne.
Chapter 46
Andy caught up with Layne for lunch the Monday after they both returned from their week hiatus. He held her close to his chest and breathed in the light and freshness that was Layne. He kissed the top of her blonde head and closed his eyes. He worried she would not return from her week at the farm. He wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t, but he would have been heartbroken. He realised a worse scenario would be for her to go to the Brays and not return. At least he could visit her if she lived at Katunga, but with the Brays, she was gone from him forever.
He ensured he was thoroughly showered and not wearing any deodorants or aftershave that would be too strong for her to bear. These days he found he used less products as he knew they all clashed together for her. She assured him she like to just smell his smell.
They had lunch at the university café and it was very obvious that there were less students around than there usually was. The room was definitely quieter and more tense. They saw a security guard in the hallway just outside the café, wandering around and watching everyone.
“How is Amity?” asked Andy.
“We spoke via text yesterday and she said that she is doing ok. She is just going to hang out at her parent’s house and has not made any plans yet.” Layne responded.
Andy nodded. “This asshole rapist – the violence is escalating. He never used a knife before. He may have had one but he never used it. I worry what will happen next.”
“Yeah. Me too. I don’t believe he is at the university. I am sure I would have smelled him by now. I think he must live nearby and is praying on the girls from here.” She answered.
“I think you’re right. Layne. I want you to promise me that you won’t take any chances. Don’t go out alone at night. Not at all. Please. I know you may be Superwoman but this guy has a knife. You are not made out of steel. Please.”
He grabbed her arm and looked her in the eyes. “Promise me Layne.”
“Yes. Of course, I promise. I had to make the same promise to my grandparents. They are worried sick.”
She thought it was sweet that he was so concerned about her. It gave her a warm and fuzzy feeling. He changed the subject.
“Are you really only going to be here for a few more weeks?”
His voice had taken on a more sombre tone.
“Yes. Time for me to do something about the situation I am in. I feel like I am just stalling Warren at the moment. He is getting impatient with me. Sooner or later he is going to take my choices away. I am going to fast track my degree.”
“Then what?” Andy asked.
She looked down. “I don’t know. I guess they will have something in mind for me. Don’t worry.”
She grabbed his hand and squeezed it.
“I will be fine. I have to go in deeper to find my way out. But I will. I will find my way out.” She smiled at him reassuringly.
He wanted so badly to tell her about Ed Makin’s notebooks and what he had found so far. In the middle of a cafeteria with people all around them was not the right place. He was determined that she would have to know before she left campus and disappeared into the Bray world. Whatever the notes meant, may help her to find her way out.
He had found a few other notes that showed Ed had spoken on the phone with Brad Harrison on at least four occasions. The calls seemed to be long ones judging by the scribbled notes and doodles. He found one reference to Bev which he assumed was Beverley and the words ‘country head’ which is what Warren was. Some of it seemed apparent such as Beverley possibly being a country head, perhaps of Australia, after her father. No wonder the Brays were so pissed off that she took off with a normal person. That would have not only been a punch in the face to them, but it threw their whole organisational structure into disarray.
He found another note that says ‘Missing HH accs’ He had not idea what that one meant. There were a few other letters or initials next to the word ‘Missing’. Andy wondered if that meant missing as in what had happened to Layne’s parents. They were missing. Did missing mean dead? Murdered?
Assassinated? These thoughts kept him awake at night. What if Layne went missing?
He would need to talk to her soon.
Chapter 47
Warren was very pleased to hear that Layne was fast-tracking her studies. His large grin lit up his face and his eyes sparkled. Layne imagined that he would have been a very handsome man in his youth, and still was if you were into the older generation. She looked at the grinning man and still could not believe this man was her flesh and blood.
“I will find an intern position for you at HQ. You will learn a great deal from some powerful people and we can really see what you are made of.”
Layne guessed that was a reference to her inferior blood.
“Where is HQ?” She asked.
“Collins Street in the city. We’ll find suitable accommodation for you not too far away.”
Layne nodded. She imagined her entire life would now be orchestrated by the Brays.
The dinner assembly was a large group that congregated around in a sitting room. As she looked around the room, she realised that this group were most likely the ten panel executive members with partners. Warren was showing off his latest project – his granddaughter. She could feel eyes on her, judging her and wondering about her. A half normal Bray would be such a novelty to these people. In their arrogance, they would be imagining that her powers would be so reduced that she could be little more than a servant. Layne smiled inwardly. Things had changed. She no longer felt intimidated or less in any way than any of them. She had felt her powers growing day by day, and she felt she could hold her own against any of them.
She was dismayed to see Gregory in the room and equally dismayed when he made a beeline for her. He looked picture perfect as he always had. He had disappeared from university a few months ago. She had only seen him at the occasional dinner here at Warren’s house. She smiled at him in greeting.
“Did you hear that Amity was attacked and has now left school?” She asked him.
“No. I had not heard that.”
His face never changed. No alarm, no horror, no empathy. He was expressionless and not capable of feeling. Layne turned away from him, less she tell him what she thought of him or worse, punch him in the face.
She accepted a champagne glass from a waiter carrying a tray and gently sipped it. She was pleased she had dressed in more stylish clothing tonight. The other guests were suitably attired. A waiter invited them to the dining table. As she expected, she was seated next to Gregory.
Warren and Miriam held court during dinner, the perfect hosts. Warren raised a toast to Layne and her decision to move on to HQ. Everyone raised their glasses and congratulated her. She thanked them and kept the smile plastered on her face, the ever-dutiful granddaughter.
After soup, the waiter brought out plates of roast beef with potatoes and greens. Layne watched the plates coming out and started hoping her beef would be more well-done than the plates she could see. They all looked perfect for a cooking show with the pink medium look of beef. She had always been a girl that liked her meat cooked all the way through. She hoped she would be fortunate enough to get the outside pieces of the meat that would be more cooked.
As the waiter placed the dish in front of her, he said “Ms Harrison, well done beef.”
The plate in front of her looked perfect. It was definitely the outer pieces of meat, just how she liked it. How did he know? She glanced over at Warren, but he was oblivious. No one else was looking. Surely no one had organised this and knew how she liked her beef.
A strange thought came to her. Was it possible that she was sending a message to this waiter, sub-consciously? Was it possible she had sent a message to the driver a few weeks ago? He had pulled over when she had thought she wasn’t ready for Warren’s house. Was that even possible?
Layne quietly ate her main course and decided to test this theory. She focused on one of the waiters standing near the champagne on ice. She willed him to come over and fill her glass. It only took a few moments and she saw his head move slightly as if a nod and turn to pick up the champagne bucket. She raised her glass and finished her champagne just as the waiter reached her. He refilled her glass and moved away. Was that coincidence? No one in the room had noticed anything. Perfect!
She looked across at a security guard at the door. It seemed strange to have a security guard at the door, but who knew how these people worked? She focused on him and willed him to close the door. Silently, he turned and pulled the main door closed between the dining room and the foyer. Warren looked up at the movement of the door. Puzzled, he called out.
“George?”
The door slowly opened, and the security guard looked in puzzled.
“Sorry sir.” He said as he opened the door and resumed his stance.
Layne guzzled more champagne to hide her grin. Oh this was going to be fun.
Chapter 48
Her final exams were over and although she did not have results yet, she knew she had done well. This was her last night on campus. Tomorrow she would pack up her belongings and move across to a shared apartment in Richmond. Warren had organised that she would be sharing an apartment with another Bray girl. Layne hadn’t met this flat mate yet, or seen the apartment, but she knew it would be perfect. A chauffeur would be picking her up at 3pm the following day.
She was a myriad of different emotions. She was excited about a new chapter in her life, and yet sad that she would be leaving university where she had met so many friends. For the first time in her life she felt she belonged somewhere and was accepted. She would miss Andy terribly but planned to still see him wherever she could. He had messaged her earlier and said he would be visiting her about 6pm and needed to discuss something with her.
When he arrived, they sat on the rug on the floor as they had done so many times before. So many fun times playing cards, eating pizza, drinking wine and chatting. She would miss those special times. They were both silent as they looked at each other. Neither needed to say any words. Andy reached out and took both her hands in his.
“You know I am going to miss you.” He said quietly.
“I know. Same.”
“I hope this is the right thing for you. I am going to be so worried.”
“I’ll be fine. We’ll talk all the time. You’ll be busy yourself with your job at the café.”
He nodded. Slowly he told her about his trip to Shepparton to investigate Ed Makin and her grandfather’s involvement. He didn’t get all the way through his admissions. He only got as far as the two of them reaching the newspaper office when she exhaled loudly. He stopped mid-sentence, sensing she was not taking it well. He could see her eyes wide and her nostrils flared. He sat back.
She was speechless. How could he keep this secret from her? And her grandfather? Dragging him into it, into danger? She was angry. She stood up, face flushed and could feel the anger building. Her voice was high and shaky.
“Andy. I can’t believe you have done this. My grandfather? How could you put him at risk like that? The Brays could come after him if they think he knows too much.”
She spun around and put her back to him. Andy reached his hand out to her unflinching back.
“Layne … I’m sorry, but we were careful. Really careful. I wouldn’t put Ross in any danger.”
She refused to turn around and look at him. She was too angry.
“You have kept this a secret. Why didn’t you tell me earlier? You didn’t tell me because you knew I would be angry.”
“No. I … wanted …”
She walked over and sat on her bed.
“Andy. Please go. I want to be alone.”
Her voice was stiff and angry. He stood there looking at her as minutes ticked by. Should he keep talking, try to explain? Should he try to put his arms around her? She was leaving tomorrow. He didn’t want them to part in anger. Not only that, but he hadn’t told her about the notebooks.
He put his arm out in mid-air toward her, and then he slowly dropped his arm.
She didn’t answer. He walked to the door and opened it, then looked back at her.
“I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
Then he was gone. She could hear his footsteps as he walked down the hallway and through the door. She closed her eyes and she could hear him and sense him as he moved further and further away. As angry as she was, she felt a strange pain that she knew was not physical pain. It was so much worse than physical pain. She had not felt this sort of pain before. It was a different pain from the pain of missing her grandparents, or the pain of losing her parents. She felt that their special bond had suffered a blow, and it hurt, but was it a terminal blow?
Was she feeling Andy’s pain as well? Too weird. She could almost identify her pain and his pain as separate entities in her body. Really weird. Was this another fledgling power? The power to feel someone’s emotions, or did it only work with someone you love?
There, she had said it.
She inhaled quickly and held her breath. Did she love Andy? Of course, she did. She just had not admitted it to herself or reconciled herself to it. She loved everything about him from his wild and unruly dark hair, to his crappy little orange car. She exhaled and gave a little giggle. A giggle of happiness. She loved him. She really did.
She jumped up off the bed and looked around. She had to tell him … now! How long had it been since he had gone, and she had been sitting there alone? Surely it hadn’t been very long. If she hurried, she could catch up to him before he reached his accommodation. She sprinted down the hallway and through the doors.
The night was dark. She had forgotten what the time was and cursed the cold night air. She marched at a good pace down the path, lit by the lights high above on posts. She chided herself on being so stupid as to let Andy go. Why did she let him go? She should have let him finish his story before judging him so quickly. Damn her temper. She turned right and headed down the path that led to Andy’s accommodation.