Page 30 of The Thief
“What kind of cake?” I asked, marvelling at the power of a child’s mind.
“Cupcakes. With pink icing. They’ve saved one for me and princess bear.”
“Does it taste good?” I asked, desperate to keep the dream alive for her.
Herlittle mouth started to chew as she pretended to eat. “It’s so good.” She rubbed her belly and laughed. “They have fizzy drinks too. Mummy doesn’t like me having fizzy, do you, Mummy?”
Jess had opened her eyes and was gazing down at her daughter, tears welling, threatening to break through, but she breathed deep, keeping them where they were. “I’ll make an exception today. It is a special occasion, after all.”
“They’re playing tag now,” she said, her little face animated as her eyes stayed screwed shut, and she clutched the key in her little hand. “Can I go and play too, Mummy?”
“Of course,” Jess’s voice broke, and she closed her eyes, the tears falling down her cheeks now as she rested her head on top of Ava’s. Then she turned to look at me and mouthed, “Thank you.”
I wanted Ava to stay in her dream world, living through her fantasy for as long as possible. I wished I could do more. I kept asking questions, trying to keep the vision going.
“Have they caught you yet?” I asked.
“No. I’m too fast. I’m the fastest one in nursery.”
“What other games are they playing?”
“There’s a slide, and a swing. We’re going to push our teddies on the swings then take them down the slide.”
“I bet your teddy bear is having the best day.”
But then, Ava didn’t have chance to respond. A bellowing voice from the door marked ‘Private’ boomed across the room, shattering through her idyllic dream. Tearing her from her fantasy and thrusting her back into this hell we were all burning in.
“Time to make yourselves useful, hostages.”
Chapter Ten
JESS
How did he do it? Manage to create magic for my girl in a moment full of nothing but complete and utter horror. But he did, and I loved him for it.
But then, it was gone.
Torn away by that voice, telling us it was time for us tobe useful. A voice that cut right through her dreams. Shattered her perfect fantasy. Took hold of her happiness and brutally ripped it away.
Ava buried her face into me once more, and I held her close as she gave a little cry. A whimper at being brought back into this room. But she still clutched that key tightly in the palm of her little chubby hand like it was her lifeline. Hiding it between the two of us. She wasn’t going to give it up. And I wouldn’t let anyone take it from her.
I’d heard them call each other by numbers, but I had no idea which two men came walking out of the back rooms with boxes loaded up in their arms. The poor bank worker limped in front of them, looking utterly broken. I was finding it difficult to hold myself together, and my heart went out to the young lad.
They walked into the office area, and I heard one of them instruct the others to bag up all the money. Then one of them strolled back out again, his beady eyes skating over all of us as he prowled further into the room. Outside, we could hear the sound of the police helicopter circling above. A small beacon of hope, shining in the darkest hour we’d ever known.
The gunman came to stand over us, narrowing his eyes on Ava and me, leering in a lascivious, lecherous way that made every muscle in my body freeze in utter fear and revulsion. My hold on my girl grew tighter still, and I gritted my teeth as I stared back at him, keeping my chin up, daring him to try anything. Because I would die before I let them hurt my daughter.
“You,” he said, grinning inanely and gesturing to me.
Tyler growled in response, barking back, “Over my dead body.”
The guy moved his lewd gaze from me to glare at Tyler. “That can be arranged.” Then he smirked, and moving his attention back to me, he said, “You need to come with me. I have a…specialjob for you.”
The way he said the word ‘special’ made darts of fear prickle and spike in my stomach.
But Tyler wasn’t giving up.
He shuffled to sit in front of where I was chained, protecting me as he hissed, “I will tear your fucking throat out if you talk to her again. I’ll rip your goddamn eyes from their sockets and shovethem up your ass if you look at her.” The guy laughed cruelly, but Tyler didn’t flinch, telling him through gritted teeth, “She... is going... nowhere.”
