Almost Free

by Lisa Helen Gray

  “I’m sure they are,” I assure him.

  “We’ll see,” he says absently. “I’m also going to let the lads know I won’t be coming in this week, and I’ll tell my teachers too.”

  I tense. “Banner, you can’t miss classes because of me.”

  He gives me a dry look. “Don’t argue, otherwise I’ll take two weeks off.”

  I pout, scooping soup onto my spoon. “Whatever.” He gets up to leave, when I remember something. “Do they know when I can get my belongings back? I want to check on Becky.”

  “I’m not sure. I’ll ask when I speak to them. And I’ve got Becky’s number. You can text her after you’ve taken your tablets.”

  I nod my agreement before going back to my soup, listening to Mark move towards the kitchen before coming back with my prescription bag.

  “It says to take one at night on this one, and one three times daily on this one. Once you’ve finished, take them both and then I’ll leave them on the kitchen side for you.”

  “Thank you, Mark—for everything.”

  “I’ll do anything for you, Emma.”

  “I see that.”

  “Good,” he tells me softly, running his hand down my hair.

  Tonight, I got lucky. My attack could have been worse, much worse, and I shudder to think how far Mr. Flint planned to go.

  When Darren said in court he wasn’t going to rape me, I didn’t know what to believe. But after tonight, seeing the look in Mr. Flint’s eyes, I’m a hundred percent positive that he wasn’t. The two were completely different. Darren attacked me out of anger and because his mind was clouded from drugs. Mr. Flint, however, attacked me out of some warped need for power. He wanted me to feel weak and vulnerable, and he preyed on it.

  I’m glad to be at home, safe and surrounded by those I love. It’s a reminder to me that I’m not alone. That, together, they will help me through this, so I don’t go back to that dark, lonely place.

  This is what love is.

  What family is.

  And I’m not going to let someone take that away from me. Not now, not ever.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  The past few days have been a blur. With the painkillers in my system, I’ve mostly slept. Today is the first day I’ve not taken one, hating the effects they have on me.

  “I’ll only be gone an hour. Are you sure there isn’t anything you want me to get you?”

  I narrow my eyes at my cousin. His heart is in the right place, and I love him for everything he’s done, but I’m mad at him for telling my grandparents what happened to me. Now he’s worried them for nothing.

  They are coming down today for a visit and to check on me. I’m also annoyed at all the fussing. I can’t even take a piss without one of them standing guard. No joke. Levi either takes me or Banner does, thinking I’m incapable. It’s got to the point that I’m ready to kill one of them.

  “Mark, I’m fine. Nan and Granddad should be here soon, so you’d better get going if you want to be back for them in time.”

  “I just don’t want to leave you. I can get someone to cover my shift.”

  I roll my eyes. “Just go. Both Banner and Levi are here, and they aren’t going anywhere.”

  “I just don’t like that he’s still out there.”

  I look down at my lap, fiddling with the spine of the book I’m reading. “I know. I don’t like it either.”

  “Hey, it will be fine—they’ll find him,” he says softly, coming to sit down next to me on the bed.

  When I look up, a frown is marring his forehead, but I say what I do because it’s what I’m feeling. “I doubt that. They can’t even find the killer who is murdering all those girls. He’s probably long gone.”

  Mark sighs. “For his sake, he’d better be. Because if I don’t kill him, Banner and Levi will.”

  I chuckle, glad the pain in my chest is easing off. “Word.”

  He rolls his eyes at me before getting up, patting my knee. “I won’t be long.”

  I watch him leave with a tightness in my chest. I’ve been worried that Mr. Flint will hurt those around me because I went to the police.

  One thing is for sure, me and Becky weren’t the only girls. Since I reported him, more girls have stepped forward, all claiming the same thing. Thankfully, no one was raped, but a few said it had been close. And from what the police officer was telling us, he always preyed on quiet, shy girls, believing they would keep their mouths closed.

  He was right, and he was wrong. It only takes one person to stand up to predators like him and then everyone speaks up.

  My bedroom door swings open and I look up from the book to see Banner step inside. “Who was at the door?” I ask, knowing he left to answer it. Levi was in the shower and Mark refused to leave. My stomach sinks when he frowns, looking torn. “Banner?”

  He clears his throat, sitting on the edge of the bed next to me. “It was Jordan and two other girls. They heard the rumour about Mr. Flint and came to see you. It’s not just your case they are after him for questioning.”

  “What do you mean?” I ask, feeling sick. I rub across my stomach, wishing the ache would go.

  “Jordan said her friend was taken in to hospital the night of your attack. Someone gave her medication that caused her to have a miscarriage.”

  “What?” I yell, trying to sit up straighter but failing. Banner helps me, fluffing the cushion behind my head.

  “She lost the baby.”

  “Why do they think Mr. Flint is involved?” I already know the answer, but I need to hear it.

  “He was doing the same thing to the girl who miscarried. She was a student of his and he made her feel uncomfortable. They heard what happened and wanted to come and see if you were okay.”

  “Why didn’t you let them in?” I’m still shocked at the horrendous acts he’s committed.

  “Because I didn’t want them getting you worked up. As soon as they explained what had happened, I knew it would only upset you. I told them to pop round in a week or so when you’re better.”

  “Banner, you should have let them in. Jordan’s been a good friend since I got here.”

  He looks guilty for a moment, before it’s gone. “Sorry. Plus, your grandparents are coming today. Jordan can come over any other time.”

  I give him a dry look before nodding. “All right, I’ll drop it. But a few minutes wouldn’t have hurt you.”

  “I hardly get you to myself as it is. I’m done sharing,” he tells me, causing me to giggle.

  Thinking of Jordan reminds me of Becky. I’ve not heard from her since the night Mr. Flint attacked me. I miss her and want to know if she’s okay.

  “Have you spoken to Becky?” I whisper.

  His expression saddens. “No, but I did speak to her dad. He said she hasn’t been doing so good. She feels responsible for your attack. She keeps telling them she should have gone in to help you instead of running outside.”

  I scrunch my face up. “If she hadn’t, he could have hurt her, and neither of us would have gotten help. She did the right thing.”

  “I told her dad that, too. It still turns my stomach to think what could have happened. If she hadn’t of got me…”

  I place my hand over his. “Hey, it’s okay. What’s done is done. There is no going back.”

  “Yeah,” he chokes out hoarsely.

  “I’ve texted her a few times but she’s not replying. Once some of this has blown over, we’ll see if her dad will let us visit. That okay?”

  “I think that’s a great idea. If she’s thinking the way she is, she probably feels too ashamed to face you.”

  “You’re probably right.”

  A tap on the door interrupts us, and Levi pokes his head inside. “Your nan and granddad are here.”

  I groan, falling back against my pillows. “I’ll be out in a minute.”

  “I got the loveseat ready for you,” Levi tells me, before addressing Banner. “Just bring her blanket out. It’s cold as shit today and I d
on’t want her catching a chill.”

  When he leaves, Banner helps me up from the bed. I’m still stiff from the bruises and aches in my back and chest but moving around is easier than it was before.

  “I swear, I have two dads in this house,” I mutter under my breath.

  “I hope I’m not included in that,” Banner says, his voice high-pitched.

  I glance over at him as I slide my feet into my slippers, winking at him. “Oh, the last thing I want to call you is daddy.”

  His eyes widen at my flirting before a smirk crosses his lips. “Well, in the bedroom you can call me whatever you want.”

  I laugh, clutching my side when it hurts a little. “Thanks—I think.”

  “Pleasure,” he says, chuckling. He holds his arm up and I tuck mine around it, letting him lead me out into the living area.

  Gasps echo around the room as soon as I enter. I look up, finding my nan with tears in her eyes, her hand over mouth, watching me. She looks devastated, broken.

  “Nan, I’m fine. I swear,” I tell her, glancing to my granddad for help. He looks furious, his hands clenched tightly and his jaw solid. His gaze turns hard as he turns to Levi. “Are you sure you don’t know where he is? I have a right mind to get my hunting rifle and shoot the fucker.”

  I gasp at my granddad’s words. “Granddad!” He’s never violent. Ever. Seeing this side of him is shocking. Banner chuckles at him, and when my granddad narrows his eyes at him, he shuts up, standing straighter.

  “And you, boy. You’d better take care of my girl, otherwise I’ll shoot you.”

  God, someone shoot me.

  “Granddad, stop it.”

  “Oh my, Emma. Look what he did to you,” my nan cries, stepping forward to hug me. She barely touches me, probably too afraid of my injuries. When she pulls back, a few tears slip free. “Maybe you should come stay with us on the farm. You grandfather is right. He has a rifle he can protect you with.”

  I roll my eyes. “That thing hasn’t been used for a long time, ever since they banned fox hunting fourteen years ago. He’s more likely to shoot himself.”

  “I’ll have you know I still take it out every now and again. We have a few pheasants on our land that need a little warning.”

  I’d laugh at his expression, but I don’t want to hurt his feelings. “All right, all right. But I’m not coming to stay with you. I really like it here.”

  My nan takes me in, a small smile spreading on her wrinkled face. “You do look different. You’re glowing again.”

  “You’d better not be pregnant,” my granddad booms, staring daggers at Banner.

  Banner, ever the soldier, just shakes his head, looking bored. Levi, on the other hand, drops the cup of tea in his hand.

  “You’re pregnant?”

  Banner chuckles. “No, she’s not. Chill.”

  “Oh,” Levi says, looking gutted before heading back into the kitchen.

  “Good. I want my grandchild married first, just like we were.”

  Banner nods, not saying anything. Me? I want to die of embarrassment. I glance at my nan, pleading with her to change the subject.

  She doesn’t.

  “He’s right. And you’d make such a beautiful bride.”

  “Me and Banner aren’t together,” I squeak out.

  “Yet,” Banner mutters, looking away when I glance at him.

  “Let’s sit down. You can tell us everything that happened,” Nan says, walking me over to the loveseat.

  Levi comes back with two more cups of coffee and a roll of kitchen paper under his arm. “Would you like one?” he asks me.

  “Please.”

  He looks at Banner, who nods. “Coffee. Easy on the coffee this time. I couldn’t sleep for a week after the last one you made.”

  Levi chuckles. “I didn’t make it. Mark did.”

  We all wince, and noticing our expressions, Banner looks at us warily. “What?”

  “Never let Mark make you coffee,” I tell him.

  “I couldn’t sleep for a month straight after he made me one once,” Granddad chimes in.

  “Mine was so thick I couldn’t swallow it,” Nan adds.

  “Doesn’t have trouble with other things,” Granddad mutters, looking away when she slaps his chest.

  “Oh, you.”

  I’m going to be sick.

  “Why didn’t either of you say anything?” Banner asks, looking slightly annoyed.

  “I didn’t know he made you one,” I tell him, although I might not have warned him if I had. It’s funny to see how people will react. Lake was so hyper one time, it took medication to calm her down.

  “I thought you knew.” Levi shrugs, but I can see he’s lying.

  “Fucker,” Banner mutters when Levi leaves for the kitchen.

  “Right, tell us what happened and what the police are doing to catch this son of a bitch,” my granddad orders, before looking at Banner with a questioning gaze. “Then after, you can tell me what your intentions are with my grandchild.”

  “Only good—”

  Granddad holds his hand up, stopping Banner before he can finish. “After.”

  When he looks at me, I shrink back into my cushions, smiling my thanks when Banner tucks the blanket over me.

  I explain everything that happened leading up to the attack, and my plan. I don’t go much into the attack, already telling the police what happened enough times already. Instead, I tell them of my injuries, and some of the things he said to me when he had me.

  “Have the police got no leads?” Granddad asks, looking worried.

  Banner is the one to answer. “They are looking into it, but so far, they can’t find him. They’ve got ads on Facebook, the papers and everything, since he has ties to Wales and Scotland. They want to make sure it’s spread over that area in case he decides to escape there. Hopefully, if anyone recognises him, they’ll call the helpline.”

  “And he’s done this to other girls?” Nan asks, her shaking hand above her heart.

  I nod sadly. “Yeah. Once it got out about me, more students, present and past, stepped forward, telling the police their stories. Most of the girls either left or dropped his class before it got as far as it did. So far, no one has come forward that he sexually assaulted them.”

  “What on earth were the university thinking? Surely one of those girls reported him.”

  I can hear Banner’s teeth grind together. “Two girls did, but because of the funding his family donated to the university, they swept it under the rug, saying there wasn’t enough evidence and it was their word against his.”

  “He needs to be shot,” Granddad growls.

  I’m still getting used to this side of him. He’s usually really laid back.

  “I’ve written a letter to the university board panel, wanting answers myself. I’ve also told them I want your tuition money refunded, that you weren’t paying to be assaulted or sexually harassed.”

  “Nan,” I whine.

  “I don’t want to hear it. They seemed more than happy to refund you. And when you’re ready to go back, you are welcome. If they say anything different, you come to me.”

  I relax, knowing I won’t have to give up my course, but feel sad because I know there is no way I’ll be able to go back to doing night courses.

  “I might start doing part-time classes in the day. I don’t think I could go back there at night.”

  Her expression softens. “That’s understandable, darling. Whenever you are ready to decide, I will help you sort it out.”

  “Thank you. I might wait until September and enrol then. I want to get used to being around a lot of people.”

  “If anyone can do it, you can,” she tells me, her eyes shining.

  “Thank you.”

  “And we have that camping trip in a few weeks. You can get used to a small group first and work your way up.”

  I smile at Banner. “That sounds like a great idea.”

  “I’m full of them,” he tells me, winking.


  “You’re full of something,” Granddad mutters.

  “Granddad,” I moan, rolling my eyes at him.

  “Sorry.” He doesn’t look sorry. “Where’s Mark?”

  “He just had to—” The key entering the lock has me pausing, glancing at the door. “Here he is.”

  As soon as he walks in, they engulf him in hugs and kisses. My grandparents were the only people in our family who didn’t care that he was gay. They loved him no matter what, just like family are meant to.

  “Does your granddad really have a gun?” Banner whispers in my ear.

  I shiver, facing him. “He has three, but the other two are more for show.”

  His face turns a deathly pale colour. “Fuck!”

  “Right then, boy,” Granddad booms, coming to sit back down. “Now you can tell me what your intentions are with my girl.”

  I bite back a smile when Banner whimpers, trying to appear as small as possible. I simply shrug, giving him a ‘go on’ look and try so hard to not give in when he gives me those puppy dog eyes.

  I glance around the room at my family, feeling so much love. It feels good having us all together.

  And I hope we have more times like this together in the future.

  Because right here, right now, this is my family, my everything. And I don’t want to lose that.

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Two weeks have flown by with no word from Mr. Flint. The police are no closer to finding him, but they did manage to catch the killer murdering those poor innocent girls. It’s been all over the news, every station covering the story.

  Two people were held against their will before they had no choice but to kill the lad. It terrifies me to know he went to the same university as me. He even worked at the library. The times I visited the library I never saw another male working there, and I’m kind of glad. I have enough going in my life right now to feel freaked out over being in the presence of a real-life murderer.

  I inhale, running my sweaty palms down my coat. Banner is going to be here any second with his friends. The only reason I’m not backing out of going is because I don’t want to let him down. In the time I’ve been here, he’s been nothing but be good to me. Instead of going out partying like lads his age do, he’s stayed in with me and kept me company. He’s taken me to his favourite places, taken me to watch movies. He’s been content for it to be just us. Backing out of this weekend would disappoint him, even though he wouldn’t say anything. It’s just who he is.