Page 180 of Drown My Sorrow

I scream until my voice is hoarse. But no one comes. I feel the house shake in the wind and bolt, ripping open the front door and dashing out into the pouring rain.

I slip in the mud and see the water running over the grass.

I scream louder as another bolt crashes. With a cry, I stand up, and my leg collapses, but I force myself up and stagger to my cave.

I get on the mattress and sit there, rocking.

Every scream for help goes unanswered.

PresentDay

“I’m reporting a crime. Are you, as the police officer in charge of this island, telling me you are refusing to let me make a complaint?” I lean over his desk, making sure I keep my cane firmly in my grip.

Sonny looks away, his lips turning down and rocking back in the chair. “Nothing to complain about. Nothing happened.”

The mutter incenses me. How dare he say that! This is such crap.

“I have eight broken windows, a damaged house that will cost thousands to fix, and two terrorised witnesses, and you’re saying you won’t investigate?” My shrill tone hurts even my ears. “Sonny, please, you’ve known us for years. Please don’t do this.”

I hate begging, but I’m not above it.

Sonny looks at his computer. He hasn’t made eye contact since I walked in, but I can see the tense lines of his mouth getting firmer. I’m losing him.

The tiny office reeks of chicken soup and has printouts of wanted felons on one wall. There’s a corridor to the left that leads to the toilet and the only cell that this island has. Gael is in that cell.

“There’s nothing to report.” His sullen voice leaves me awash with despair. Lost in fear.

I dip my chin and let those words sink in. “I see. And have you found Gael’s phone? Or mine or Nat’s?”

He shakes his head. “I don’t have time to search for phones. I’m the only police officer on the island. There’s lots of work that needs to be done.”

I bite my cheek. I have been unable to contact my pack. It’s been three weeks now. I can’t even feel them through the bonds at this distance.

If we could just get a call out, but no one will let us use the phones. It’s a concentrated effort island wide to keep us helpless.

“Can I borrow your phone?” I whisper. “Please, Sonny?” I grip my cane harder, hoping and praying that he will, just this once, show mercy.

“What for?” His tone is bitter and exhausted.

“I need to make a call,” I whisper.

“To whom?”

I stare at him, the tiny slither of hope fading. “What have they got over you?”

Sonny stands up abruptly and points to the door. “Get out. I’m done with you wasting my time.”

“Yeah. I bet you are. I’d be interested to know if he still wants you when he finds out you betrayed the Daane. Mitch loves the Daane, you know that. Do you really think he’d forgive this?”

Sonny goes pale. “I didn’t, the Daane are gone.”

I tug my collar down, revealing three of my six bond marks. “Yeah, you did.”

He stares at the bonds in something like dawning horror. “You need to leave.” He staggers back. “Get out! I’m not helping you. I can’t.”

He stutters over the words, but I let it go, looking at the door that leads to where Gael is being held.

Last night was the last night.

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