by Lauren Algeo
Brewer thought they had more time to get to the female only Ellen shot early. They were still a good thirty metres away when the hiker suddenly jumped to her feet, clutching frantically at the back of her neck. Her hands disappeared into her thick, dark hair and ripped out the tranquiliser dart. She gave a grunt of anger and spun to the right, where the offending item had come from. She caught sight of the car, and Ellen, who was still holding the gun.
Brewer broke into a run but the hiker was one step ahead of him and she began to race towards the car. She hadn’t even seen him or Mitch behind her, she was focussed on finding out what she’d just been hit with, and by who.
Ellen sat frozen in the driver’s seat, staring open-mouthed at the oncoming hiker. The female looked furious – her black eyes were blazing and her lips were curled up in a sneer. Her arms were pumping and her long, wavy hair flowed behind her like a dark veil. Ellen felt an awful, intrusive sensation at the back of her head.
‘It’s you,’ the hiker whispered inside her mind.
Oh god, she squeezed her eyes shut. The hiker was in and she had no way of shutting her out. Brewer hadn’t taught her about blocking properly yet.
‘Get out!’ she cried out loud and the hiker responded with an internal giggle.
‘You were in the bar last night.’ She was getting closer to the car. ‘Are you following me?’
She didn’t wait for a response and ransacked through Ellen’s memories. The feeling was uncomfortably painful and she couldn’t find a way to stop it.
‘You saw me at the mall!’ the hiker cried in surprise. ‘Why? What did you just do to me?’
Brewer sprinted as fast as he could to close the gap. He knew Ellen was in serious trouble and the hiker was in her head. He was reaching out to stop her as Mitch appeared to his right and overtook him. The kid was really fast. He grabbed the hiker’s shoulder and hauled her backwards.
She gave a squeal of protest and instantly left Ellen’s mind. Brewer got a firm grip on her other arm and he and Mitch propelled her to the car boot. She’d unknowingly done them a favour by charging straight at the car and they were there in moments. Mitch threw her in the boot as hard as he could while Brewer fumbled with the skipping ropes.
She bucked and kicked against them but he managed to get a loop around her wrists. Mitch gritted his teeth and held her down while Brewer got her hands securely tied. He moved swiftly down to her legs and repeated the process to bind her ankles. Her legs were bare and the skin was cold under his fingers. She snapped and snarled at them with her teeth bared, however the venom seemed to be taking effect already. Her eyes were a little glazed and her head kept rocking from side to side.
Brewer shoved one of the socks in her mouth as a temporary gag although he knew she’d be able to spit it out eventually. He stepped back, panting, but there was no time to waste. He slammed the boot shut and he and Mitch both leapt into the back of the car.
Ellen blinked at them from the front seat; the colour had drained from her face. ‘Well, that went smoothly.’
‘Go!’ Brewer yelled at her.
She promptly turned and sped down the road.
‘Head south through the town,’ he instructed.
The boot wasn’t fully closed off from the car so they could hear the hiker thrashing around, and see her hunched over body. She growled like an animal and there were grunts of effort as she tried to free herself. Thankfully with all her physical exertions she wasn’t trying to attack them mentally at that moment.
Mitch was breathing heavily next to him and there was a light sheen of sweat on his forehead. Brewer was impressed with how he’d reacted to the situation. He’d kept his head and acted fast. He opened his mouth to say ‘well done’ but was interrupted by the hiker knocking at the door to his mind.
He glanced back and realised she had gone still. He caught a glimpse of her dark eyes looking up at him through the gap between the seats and the boot cover. She tried harder to get in and he held his defence.
‘Ellen, did she get much from your mind?’ He panicked that she had no real experience at blocking yet.
‘I’m not sure,’ she admitted. ‘There wasn’t much time. She left as soon as you snatched her. Why, is she in your head?’
‘No, but she’s trying. She might come back for you after, or you Mitch. If she does, both of you try to envisage a wall around your mind that she can’t penetrate. If she gets in, try to confuse her with other memories. Think of music or films or something.’
‘Got it.’ He saw the back of Ellen’s head nod.
Mitch seemed to be wrapped up in his own thoughts. ‘Why can’t you tell when hikers are searching other people’s memories?’ he asked instead.
‘I don’t know!’ Brewer snapped. He was highly stressed from the situation, and trying to fend off a hiker, and he didn’t like Mitch’s dubious tone. ‘Mind control isn’t a bloody exact science; I’ve got no idea how it works. You can hear hikers talk to vessels but that’s it. It’s like tuning into a radio station.’
Mitch kept his mouth closed on a response and looked out of the window. Brewer huffed but the kid had a point – the whole thing was unpredictable. He’d been able to feel some of Georgie’s emotions when the Grand had hold of them, but not what memories he was uncovering.
There was no time to ponder that now. The hiker had slipped inside during his lapse in concentration. She was only just at the reception area of his mental building, but she was still in there.
‘Where are you taking me?’ she demanded, her voice echoing around the lobby.
Her presence in his mind was weak enough for him to push her back out quickly though.
Mitch turned to study the hiker through the crack, fascinated. ‘Do you think it’s working yet?’
‘It might be. Her attack just now lacked power,’ Brewer said.
‘I’m nearly through the town,’ Ellen said. ‘Where am I heading?’
‘Minnechaug Mountain,’ Brewer told her. ‘It’s not far, just over towards Hampden.’
‘Mitch, will you get a map open for me?’ she asked. ‘I can follow signs for now but we might need it.’
Mitch busied himself finding it while Brewer monitored the hiker as best he could. This would be a long ride.
Chapter 19
The hiker stayed mercifully quiet for the rest of the short drive. She struggled in the back against her bonds but didn’t try to attack their minds again. Brewer was grateful she had only tried him in the car so far and left Mitch alone. The kid didn’t need the added trauma of being able to hear what they did too.
They drove to the large wooded area and found a secluded spot at the end of Old Coach Road.
‘Should we stay here?’ Ellen asked. ‘Or move her somewhere else?’
‘Let’s see how she’s doing first.’ Brewer got out of the car and opened the boot.
The hiker squinted up at him with clear hatred. At some point during the journey she’d spat out the sock and vomited over the front of her dress. He quickly checked her neck to see where the dart had hit her. She tried to prevent him from lifting her hair to look only with her arms bound she could do nothing but flap at him.
The area around the puncture wound was red and swollen. He put his hand to her throat and felt her rapid pulse underneath the thin skin. He stepped back and gave a nod of satisfaction. The venom was taking hold although they should have time to question her.
He closed the boot and poked his head back into the car. ‘It’s working.’
‘Yes!’ Mitch cried.
Ellen gave a tense smile. ‘She could start to attack our minds again at any moment. What should we do with her?’
Brewer peered through the trees around them. There were a few houses set back from the road, surrounded by the woods. It was mid-morning and the area seemed deserted.
‘Give me two minutes.’ He turned and jogged down the street to scout around.
Ellen sat behind the wheel nervously. The sensation of the hiker in the b
oot was strong and every nerve in her body was screaming at her to run away. To put a safe distance between her and that murderer. Brewer hadn’t said exactly how, but that thing had made a man kill himself back at the mall. She’d only picked up a few words from the hiker but judging by Brewer’s face as he’d told them, it had been horrific. And she was ultimately responsible for killing young Paige Clarke. Who knew what the hiker would have done to the person she’d chosen in the school if they hadn’t intervened. Ellen wanted her dead so she couldn’t hurt anyone ever again.
Mitch drummed his fingers on the seat. He was fidgeting non-stop in the back.
‘I’m having a closer look,’ he announced seconds later and clambered out of the car.
Ellen fumbled for her own door handle. ‘Wait! It’s dangerous.’
Mitch reached for the boot and she pulled him roughly away before he could open it.
‘Keep out of sight!’ she hissed. ‘It’s ok if she tries mine or Scott’s minds but I don’t want her subjecting you to this too. Trust me, you don’t want one of them in your head.’
‘Ok, I’ll keep back,’ Mitch relented.
Brewer reappeared from the trees. His face was flushed and he frowned when he saw them both out of the car.
‘What are you two doing? Get back in, now!’
They all got in the car in their usual positions.
‘There’s an empty house back down the road,’ he told them. ‘It’s partially hidden in the trees and there’s a side driveway round to the back of the house so we can keep the car out of view of the road.’
He directed Ellen about a hundred metres along the road then pointed to the house. She steered onto the drive then braked sharply.
‘Hang on a minute, you said it was empty? There’s no realtor sale sign out front?’
‘Well, it’s empty at the moment.’ Brewer looked down guiltily. ‘There’s no car here and a few day’s worth of post on the doormat, so whoever lives here must be away. We just need somewhere to keep her for one day.’
‘But that’s breaking and entering!’ Ellen gasped. ‘We can’t go into someone’s home.’
‘I’m afraid we can’t keep her out here either,’ Brewer said. ‘We need to get her somewhere quiet, fast, and this is our best option. We can get in round the back and we’ll be gone by morning.’
Mitch glanced at the other houses, which were all set back from the road too. ‘If we take her to the back then we won’t be overlooked when we move her into the house.’ The criminal element didn’t seem to bother him.
‘Please, Ellen,’ Brewer said.
She reluctantly followed the gravel driveway to the rear of the house. ‘This is only because I don’t want her attacking Mitch’s mind in the car,’ she said.
The garden was large and flanked by thick trees. There was no way anyone could see what they were up to back there. She parked the car haphazardly, with the boot facing the back door.
They got out and Brewer went to check the doors and windows of the house. They were all closed tightly and securely locked. There were several plant pots and garden ornaments near the back door and he began to root through them. He found a small silver key under the third pot.
‘Bingo.’ He held it up triumphantly. ‘This must be a safe neighbourhood.’
He unlocked the back door and let them into the house. The door opened into a large kitchen with a dining area in the corner. It was warm and homely, and smelt of potpourris. The walls were painted a pale yellow and the kitchen units were light oak with gold handles. The entire floor was tiled with dark, grey slate.
Brewer checked through the rest of the house to make sure it was empty, while Mitch and Ellen waited in the kitchen. Ellen crossed her arms and paced around anxiously.
‘I can’t believe we’re intruding in someone’s house,’ she whispered hoarsely, in case the owners popped out at any moment.
‘It’s necessary,’ Mitch shrugged. ‘Scott’s right, we have to hide her inside somewhere and there’s no time to drive around looking for another place.’
‘I still don’t like it.’
Brewer came back into the kitchen. ‘The coast is clear. I even checked the wardrobes and it looks as though there are quite a few clothes missing so they must be on holiday somewhere.’
Ellen went for a walk around the downstairs rooms to confirm for herself. She spied some framed photos over the mantelpiece in the quaint living room. They showed a couple, who she guessed were in their mid-fifties. From the look of it they had two children, as there were two wedding day photos of smiling, young couples. There was one photo of a little boy grinning gummily at the camera – possibly a grandchild? Perhaps the man and woman who lived here had gone to stay with family.
She felt a stab of guilt for snooping into someone’s private possessions. Hopefully this would all be over quickly so they could move on. When she went back through to the kitchen, Brewer and Mitch were outside by the car and she scowled at them. She’d told Mitch not to go near the hiker. It was too late now. She watched them lift her from the boot and drag her towards the house.
The hiker was semi-conscious and looked extremely ill. Her head was lolling forward onto her chest and the front of her black dress was covered in sick. Brewer and Mitch had an arm each and had to lift her feet off the ground to move her. Brewer’s jaw was clenched with the effort but Mitch didn’t look too fazed, despite his wiry arms. Ellen stood to the side, with her nose wrinkled in disgust, as they heaved her through to the kitchen.
They laid her down on the tiled floor, between the units and the dining table. Ellen took Mitch’s elbow and steered him back a few feet.
‘Don’t worry, she’s too out of it to try and attack,’ Mitch reassured her.
Brewer stood up and regarded the hiker solemnly. ‘That’s good if we just wanted the venom to kill her but not so great for the interrogation. I’m hoping this is just temporary and she’ll come round soon.’
He went back outside to lock up the car and bring in their bags. He closed the kitchen door firmly behind him when he came back in.
‘We should stick to the back of the house, just in case there are nosy neighbours,’ he said. ‘I don’t think you can see much from the road outside but it’s better to be safe than sorry. When night falls, we can close the curtains and only keep one or two lights on. No more than necessary.’
‘Do you think it will take that long for her to die?’ Mitch asked. ‘It’s not even lunchtime yet.’
‘I’m not too sure,’ Brewer said. ‘She’s showing all the early symptoms, although I’m not convinced about the unconsciousness. I don’t remember reading about that happening this early on. That might be brought on by her confusion at the situation, mixed with her nausea.’
‘I hope she dies quickly,’ Ellen said coldly.
Brewer gave her a sideways glance. He’d worried that she might start to feel some compassion if she spent too long with a hiker, based on how human they looked, however there was none on her face right now. Mitch began to root through the kitchen cupboards.
‘Mitchell!’ Ellen scolded. ‘What are you doing?’
He paused with his hand on a drawer handle. ‘I’m hungry. We didn’t exactly have a proper breakfast this morning, we ate vending machine crap while we were waiting for the delivery!’
‘You can’t eat their food!’ she cried.
Brewer realised he hadn’t eaten anything since the pizza last night and he felt drained of energy. His eyes were burning from a lack of sleep but he couldn’t have any yet, not until they knew how the venom was progressing.
‘There’s nowhere close for us to get supplies and we have to eat today,’ he said. ‘We can’t risk driving in and out in case someone gets suspicious of the unfamiliar car. We can replace what we take after.’
Ellen’s frown of disapproval was unwavering.
‘Honestly, we’ll be so thorough cleaning up they’ll never even know we were here,’ he said.
‘Fine.’ She stepped a
round the hiker to join Mitch.
‘There’s not much here,’ he grumbled. ‘The fridge was obviously cleared out before they went away and I can’t see anything decent in the cupboards.’
Ellen took one look on the shelves. ‘There’s plenty for us to make a decent meal.’ She shooed Mitch out of the way and got to work taking out ingredients.
Brewer moved closer to the hiker and bent down to check on the state of her health. She let out a low moan and peered up at him through squinted eyes. She’d been pale before but now she was deathly so. She struggled to get into a seated position and Brewer pushed her shoulders back to the floor. He tightened her skipping rope bonds and rocked back on his heels.
‘Who are you?’ the hiker hissed out loud.
Ellen dropped a packet of something behind him with a clatter. She obviously hadn’t expected the hiker to talk out loud. Brewer didn’t respond – it was their turn to ask the questions.
The hiker narrowed her eyes further and tried to penetrate his mind again. She prodded gently at first then rushed in forcefully. He was well aware of the tactic after he and Georgie’s encounter with Matildah in the woods, and he was ready for her. He pushed her out with only some titbits of his memories.
‘You are from England.’ She spoke low, in a soothing tone. ‘What are you doing here?’
If she expected him to answer, she would be waiting a very long time. She growled in frustration and tried to ransack his mind again for the information she craved. Her anger made her stronger this time but he fought her out again.
‘What did you do to me?’ she cried.
‘Only what you deserve,’ he finally replied.
He stared steadily at her coal-black eyes. Her face twisted into an ugly sneer and she thrashed wildly against the bonds again. The noise was immense.
‘This is why we had to take her somewhere quiet,’ Brewer said, getting slowly to his feet.
Ellen carried on preparing food and didn’t respond. He took that as a sign that she knew he’d been right.