by J. A. Kerr
Niven reached out and grabbed Reeva. “Move, Siena,” she ordered.
Siena wanted her baby back but knew it made sense. “Follow me.”
They burst into her bedroom and ran to the bathroom, locking the door. Shifting Leo to her left hip, her fingers shook as she clumsily entered the door code to the safe room. She pulled it but it didn’t open. Panicked, she realised she had entered the wrong digits. Turning, she had no option but to hand Niven a sobbing Leo. Already terrified and crying, the twins intensified their screams. Siena stiffened as she heard a pounding noise coming up the stairs. The babies’ cries would alert him to their whereabouts, she didn’t have much time.
Focusing, she re-entered the code and twisted the knob. The twin’s screams were deafening, but they heard footsteps entering the room. The bathroom door handle turned. Siena pushed Niven and the twins inside as the bathroom door burst open. She launched herself inside the safe room but felt her body jerk backwards as something caught her foot. She lashed out wildly and there was a crunch and a yell as her heel connected with something. Pain shot through her but her foot was released. She tumbled through, slamming the door behind her. She kept her weight against the door, terrified he would kick it down or worse, use the axe.
Needing to think, she fought to remain calm. Her eyes registered Niven and the twins; terrified but safe. Every instinct in her wanted to comfort them but she must act quickly. She tried to pull herself up and screamed in agony. Realising her foot was out of commission, she crawled across the floor and hit the panic button. Wincing in pain, she half crawled, half dragged herself over towards the emergency mobile. Dialling 999, her voice was erratic as she asked for help. Almost shouting over the noise of the twins, she told the operator an intruder was in her home, trying to kill her. She called Benedict next, the conversation fraught as she repeated the story. She told him she was in the safe room, her voice breaking when the intruder battered on the door. Terrified, she hung up and redialled the police. “Help us!” she cried as the call connected, dropping the phone as the whole door vibrated under his assault. The twins went quiet and then they heard him.
“Ni-ven!”
“Oh my God,” Niven gasped. “It’s Toby.”
“What? You know who’s outside?” said Siena, her voice tinged with hysteria. Mobile forgotten, she crawled towards Niven, cowering in the corner with the twins.
“Yes,” Niven whispered. “It’s Toby. He’s come for me. Let me out, Siena. It’s me he wants.”
Siena’s arms instinctively reached for the twins. They whimpered as they sensed her fear and panic. She struggled to soothe them as she tried to process what Niven had just told her.
“Ni-ven?” The voice was steady and expectant.
Niven stood and Siena tried to grab her. Her arms already full, Niven dodged her easily and moved towards the door.
“Are you crazy? He’s got an axe!” Siena exclaimed. “You’re not going anywhere.” Niven ignored her but hesitated, her hand on the door handle.
“Please, Niven, don’t leave me…” Siena pleaded, trying to buy some time. How long until the police get here? she thought frantically. Her foot was swelling; she couldn’t carry the twins without Niven’s help. That’s when they smelled the smoke. He had set fire to the bathroom towels.
“Siena, listen,” said Niven desperately. “Let me talk to him or we’ll all die.”
She couldn’t feel any heat coming through the door yet, but smoke was deadly.
“Toby…” she started and coughed. Her eyes stung. The smoke was billowing from under the door. It was quickly filling the room.
“We need to block the door with something,” said Siena, tugging at her jumper. She threw it at Niven, who stuffed it under the door and shivered as goose bumps appeared on her arms. She only wore a camisole. It helped for a bit but the smoke seemed to be coming from around the door as well. The twins started to cough.
“Toby, put the fire out and I’ll come out,” Niven shouted.
The silence seemed to stretch forever before they heard water hitting the floor and the sizzle of dampened flames.
“Wait!” Siena screamed but Niven was already slipping through the door.
***
Niven
She didn’t have a plan but felt for her pendant. She’d trained for months to prepare for a moment like this, she was ready.
Chapter 51
The Braille Club, London, One Year On: Siena insisted they both attend the Masked Ball but Benedict didn’t agree and they quarrelled. He tempted her with Elysian and the E-Suites. Her fury dissipated, replaced by a slow smile that had them both licking their lips.
London 2014
Siena
Siena’s mind froze as she sat staring at the place where, minutes before, Niven had stood. The twins clung to her, quieter now as she rocked them to and fro with her body. The smoke had stopped, but the air was still thick with it. She’d been forced to lie flat on the floor with the twins. Her mind was blank as she lay there, unable to move. She stiffened when she heard shouts, they seemed far away. She had no idea how long she’d been in the room.
“Police! Police! Police!”
“I’m here,” she croaked. “Help me.” Tears of relief streamed down her cheeks. The door knob twisted and she was seized with panic. A police officer approached her and then another. She heard them radio for assistance. A shout of “clear” rang out. More people. They tried to take the twins.
“No,” she shrieked hysterically as she clung to them desperately. Benedict’s voice, raw with panic, screamed her name and cut through her foggy mind. Then he was beside her, his arms around her and the twins. She was safe at last in his embrace. He calmed her, taking the twins to enable the paramedic to get closer. Everything felt surreal to Siena, but the pain emanating from her foot told her it was very real. She simply couldn’t process how a lunch with Niven could end like this…Niven, how could she not have thought of Niven?
“Is Niven outside?” she asked Benedict frantically. The twins had been checked first, and although frightened, they were physically unharmed. They clung to their father.
“Niven?” answered Benedict blankly, shifting Reeva around so he could look at her.
“Yes. She was in the house with me…but left us to talk to him. He had an axe! Oh my God, where is she?”
Siena knew she wasn’t making much sense. Pain, exhaustion, and shock made it hard to think.
“Breathe, breathe, Siena, I’ll check,” said Benedict firmly.
He left but returned quickly and that calmed her. “The police are looking now,” he reported.
They wanted to take her to the hospital; they suspected her ankle was broken. Her pain forgotten, Siena moaned in fear. Benedict gripped her hand but as time passed, her anxiety mounted. When she saw the policeman enter the room and shake his head, she started to cry.
“Niven saved us. She saved us…”
The panic attack hit like a steam train. Her breathing became erratic. The room spun as fear for Niven overwhelmed her. Where was she? Was she dead?
It was the steady calm repetitive voice of the paramedic, telling her to breathe slowly in and out that finally registered; she couldn’t remember leaving the house or being loaded into the ambulance. Her eyes frantically searched for Benedict.
“Your husband is following us with the children,” he reassured.
Husband…wedding. Her heart twisted. She couldn’t think of that now. Her doubts gone, she wanted more than anything to call Benedict her husband. Her breathing accelerated again, she didn’t understand what had happened. However, she understood her life and that of her children had been put at risk. Why does that keep happening? Where is Niven? Her mind supplied the answer. She must be dead. He’d had an axe. He’d tried to burn the house down. What chance did she have? She gulped for air despite the oxygen mask, the panic rolling in again.
Chapter 52
The Braille Club, London, One Year On: The members must also bring the e
nclosed donation envelopes that arrived with their mask. On arrival they would be asked to put it into the locked charity ballot box, which would be opened later in full view of all the guests.
London 2014
Benedict
Benedict had gone to Harrison’s to meet Guy and discuss the latest developments within the Braille Club; he hated to leave, especially when the twins were poorly, but Siena had insisted. Although tired, she told him the twins were over the worst.
When his phone rang and he saw her name flash up, he had suddenly felt anxious. He took the call. Her voice frantic with terror cleared his mind instantly as adrenaline took over. He was out of the club and into his car with no recollection of his movements. He called Guy from his car and updated him, ignoring the disbelief in his voice, and told him to get to his house.
The ambulance pulled away just as he arrived and Benedict’s heart lurched as he burst out of the car. A policeman quickly grabbed him as he tried to get through his gates and into the house. He remembered shouting, and it was several minutes before he was calm enough to listen to what the officer was telling him. He had to wait. It was excruciating, but they would not let him enter the house until they knew it was safe to do so.
“My partner and children are in there!” he shouted angrily, his frustration and fear increasing with every second.
Guy arrived; although not a serving police officer, he knew how things worked and asked to speak to the lead officer. Things moved more quickly after that. Benedict had already told them about the safe room where Siena had called from and provided the code for the door lock. When it was confirmed the downstairs was secure, Benedict’s patience was at a breaking point.
“They need to get upstairs,” he shouted, surging towards the house.
He felt a hand on his arm. “They will,” said Guy calmly. “Let them do their job, Benedict.” When he saw the ambulance leaving he’d almost lost control until he learned his family were still inside. He’d had to wait until the police gave him the all clear. The minutes felt like hours as they checked each room before he could finally see Siena and the twins. He was shaking, his heart still pumping furiously as he held his family. His relief had been overwhelming and short-lived as the paramedics took over. A mixture of strong emotions flooded through him, which he struggled to keep in check. He’d remained close while the paramedics checked them, only breathing out when they’d been given the okay. Siena would need to go to the hospital for her foot but it wasn’t life threatening. When she asked about Niven, he hadn’t understood. Confused, he had spoken to the police. They confirmed Niven was not in the house. The news had upset Siena and triggered a massive panic attack. The paramedic had pushed him out of the way and knelt beside her.
Benedict watched, helpless, as she was moved to a stretcher. He followed as they carried her downstairs. Once out of the confines of the safe room they worked on her foot, strapping it up for transport to the hospital. When he saw Guy’s ashen face he knew something was terribly wrong and suddenly remembered the ambulance. He had a bad feeling. Was Niven in that ambulance?
“Benedict, until they interview Siena, we don’t have a clear picture of what happened. This is what we know so far,” said Guy worriedly. “The house was breached via the kitchen, the patio door smashed; the intruder cut himself when he entered. Siena and the twins, and now we know Niven, escaped into the safe room. He was setting fire to towels and toilet paper then stuffing them under the safe room door.”
“It was only a temporary safe room, the door should have been sealed,” said Benedict dejectedly.
“It saved their lives, Benedict, I’m sure of it,” said Guy grimly. “Niven has not been located. A male was found with stab wounds further down from the house, in critical condition due to blood loss.”
“Who is it?” asked Benedict.
Guy’s gaze slid away. “He’s not been identified,” he lied. Bad news could always keep. Benedict, stressed, shocked, and upset, accepted Guy’s account.
“A neighbour, perhaps,” said Benedict, puzzled. He rarely saw people walking around the street but it was possible.
Guy shrugged noncommittally. The emergence of the paramedic and his worried expression had Benedict turning and moving towards Siena. The conversation with Guy slipped from his mind. They were ready to move her to the hospital and all thoughts of Niven and the possible neighbour receded. How much more would life throw at them? He kept seeing Siena’s haunted expression before the attack had taken hold. His rage was absolute, someone would pay for this. He concentrated on strapping the twins into their car seats. With a nod to Guy, he got in the car, face grim as the ambulance pulled away from the house.
Chapter 53
The Braille Club, London, One Year On: The donation envelopes all looked the same, but of course they were not. There were subtle differences that tied them to their designated table. The high rollers, celebrities, and exhibitionists scowled beneath their masks at this forced anonymity.
London 2014
Niven
Niven opened her eyes groggily; the last thing she remembered was holding her pendant and opening the door of the safe room. She couldn’t see a thing, her eyes had watered and stung with the smoke. She coughed…something wet over her mouth. She had struggled fiercely, lashing out, but the grip that held her was like iron. Gradually she weakened and then blackness.
She tried to move and winced as pain shot through her shoulders. Her heart raced as she realised with mounting horror, she could not move. When she turned her head and saw her hands were in restraints, fastened to the bed post—she screamed but only a muffled groan emerged. Her mouth was restricted. In utter panic she suddenly understood something was covering it. Bucking her body made no difference, her feet were also restrained. The last degradation—she was naked, her body exposed and vulnerable and her pendant was gone.
Tears of fear and shame leaked from her eyes but she sensed Toby before she saw him. She stiffened, suddenly aware he was standing behind her. She saw the blade, glinting in the light. As it came into her line of vision she shrank away and heard Toby laugh. Fear tore through her and she pulled on the restraints in an instinctive attempt to escape.
“You dirty, dirty, little bitch,” he sneered. As the knife got closer to her face, Niven could see it was covered with a rusty fluid.
“Did you open your legs for him?” Toby spat. The point of the knife now rested against her neck and punctured the skin. The pain made her flinch and a muffled moan escaped. She still couldn’t see him as he stood behind her.
“Do you like that?
Niven heard him move until she could see him clearly. Confused, it took her a moment to register that he had changed his appearance.
“You’re a bad girl, but we will have lots of fun. It’s just you and me now. I took care of him.” Toby giggled.
Niven’s mind froze as she thought of Matt. Had she put him in danger? Oh my God. Her thoughts spun. If he’d hurt Matt? Her heart raced. The knife flashed in front of her eyes. The rusty fluid—was blood. The realisation intensified her fear for Matt. She struggled against her restraints but it was hopeless.
Toby laughed. “I like to see you getting worked up.”
Niven’s blood was dripping from the tip of the knife onto the sheet below her. Images of Matt lying wounded filled her head. He’d dropped her off…and then the thought struck her like a cannon ball. He could be dead like Maria.
“Uuhhh,” she moaned.
“Yes, I know you want to start,” Toby panted. His eyes raked over her naked body. Niven retched, her eyes bulging as her gag reflex kicked in again and again. Toby ripped the tape away from her mouth. The searing pain was replaced by air and she gulped frantically.
“If you try to scream I’ll cut out your tongue. Do you understand, Niven?” he said menacingly.
Niven nodded, terrified.
“I’ve been watching you. I was outside your flat, waiting. I saw you arrive with him.” Toby’s face twisted with hat
e. I watched him waiting on you. Were you changing your dirty knickers? I’m soooo disappointed in you, Niven.”
The blade traced along Niven’s naked skin but this time, he’d didn’t cut her. He smirked as his greedy eyes lingered on her body. Niven felt completely violated. Goose bumps covered her body as fear rendered her almost senseless. Tears flowed from her eyes as fear for Matt consumed her. However, Toby’s voice soon penetrated her thoughts.
“You’re a very bad girl. You need to be punished,” he said, excitement in his voice. “We are going to have so much fun.”
Walking to the table, he picked up the ball mouth gag and mask he’d placed there earlier, and brought it over to Niven. Her eyes widened in horror.
“Now don’t be shy, Niven, this stuff is mainstream now.” He fingered the mask and ball gag lovingly. “I like BDSM, particularly creating pain for someone I care for. I enjoy the effort to make sex…a mental activity as well as a physical one. Don’t you agree? I know a dirty little whore like you will have used these many times,” he sneered again.
Niven stared at Toby. He was completely insane. She knew her only chance was to fight but how, when she couldn’t even move? Anger surged through her. She could not let this happen. She must fight for herself, and now…for Matt. Her heart thumped with fear. What a fool she’d been, thinking she could protect herself from the monster in front of her. Her pendant and training seemed naive and stupid by comparison. By burying her head in the sand, she’d put herself, and now by association, Matt, in grave danger. She’d seen the tape; understood Toby knew where she lived, but did nothing…why?