Page 74 of Her Last Walk Home

‘My name is Shannon,’ she offered, surprised she could talk. She tasted the gum from the tape on her lips.

‘Like the river.’

‘Something like that. But I’m not free to flow like the river. I’m trapped. I really shouldn’t be here.’

‘Do you not like us?’

‘It’s not that. This is not my home. That man abducted me. Do you know what that means?’

‘Yeah, I’m not stupid. I can read past age twelve. You should be glad to be here. We’re nice. We’re a good family. I hope you last longer than the last one. She was no use.’

Shannon felt her knees buckle. She put the dishes down on the counter before she dropped them. ‘There was someone else here before me?’

‘Yep.’

‘Where is she?’

‘I’m not supposed to talk to you.’

‘But… when did she leave?’

‘She was here yesterday and now you’re here.’

‘What was her name?’

‘I’m not supposed to tell you anything. You’re very nosy. You won’t last long.’

‘Won’t last long?’ Shannon gripped the edge of the table. ‘What do you mean?’

‘Stop asking me questions,’ the child snapped, sounding too grown-up for her age. ‘You’re making my head ache and my spots itchy.’

‘What’s your name?’ Shannon was desperate.

‘Stop asking questions!’ The girl slammed the table with her fist. ‘I have to finish my soup and go back to bed to rest.’

‘Please.You know my name, it’s only fair that I should know yours. I won’t let on that I know it. I promise.’

The girl sighed and threw the spoon on the table. ‘They call me Magenta. Now leave me alone.’

She marched out of the kitchen and up the stairs, leaving Shannon shivering. Terrifying thoughts cascaded over her about what might be going on.

After a moment, she put the dishes in the sink and turned on the tap. While the basin was filling up, she peered out the window. The garden was surrounded by large trees and a massive wall, like a fortress She guessed the house was located in the countryside. She couldn’t see any sign of life or other houses. The wooden shed caught her eye. It was where she presumed the man had gone.

‘Who are you?’ she mumbled.

Then she heard the water flow from the sink to the floor. She turned off the tap and wondered how she could escape.

56

Jess hadn’t wanted anything to do with the police, but George had begged her, almost on the point of tears. They weren’t treating Shannon’s disappearance seriously, he’d said. What if she’d been murdered? What if…? He’d droned on and on, and was so insistent that she’d ended up accompanying him to the station.

The detective had agreed to talk to her, mainly to shut up George, who was verging on hysteria and terrifying Davy. He’d insisted on Jess seeing a detective rather than a uniformed officer. When he began mouthing off about how his sister might have been murdered, they’d relented.

‘I’m Detective Kirby.’ The man pulled in his stomach to allow himself enough space to sit at the scratched table. Jess noticed that the table was bolted to the floor. Was this where they brought criminals to interrogate them? She wished it was over. ‘How can I help you, Jess?’

‘That’s Shannon’s brother out there in reception. George Kenny. He’s already reported Shannon missing, but he thinks you’re not taking him seriously.’

The detective flicked open the thin manila file he’d brought in with him. ‘I can assure you we take all incidents like thisseriously. I have the missing person report here. What can you add?’

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