Grandpa John grabbed the teenage boy by the scruff of his neck. “Look what you did! No matter how many times I’ve warned you!”
“I didn’t mean to,” the boy choked.
Grandpa John thrust the boy against the side of the car. “You never do!”
Cain was heading to his shop in Texas. He had decided to sell it, and let the manager have first refusal. As Cain neared the shop he sensed the danger and felt the loss of the dog. He immediately turned the car around and drove to Mia’s house.
When he arrived he could feel Mia’s presence, and he knew she was okay. He stayed for a while but knew he could not go to her. Just as he started the engine to leave he saw her at the window. How she had changed! She was grown up. It had been a long time since he last saw her, but the sadness on her face at the loss of her dog reminded him of that day in the woods, the day she had cried into his chest as he held her, promising to never let anyone hurt her again.
He had missed her so much, the girl who had saved his life. He could not allow her to see him, and he was deeply saddened as he drove away. He would have given anything to be able to comfort her, make her smile again, but she had to be given the chance to have a normal life. And this was part of a normal life.
As he drove away another vision penetrated his mind. A young woman was on the floor, gasping for breath. Cruel hands gripped her throat as her fingers clawed at them. He let out a breath that he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Mia!”
***
Mia was inconsolable at the loss of Angel. She was not really listening to everyone telling her how Angel had not suffered, when suddenly she felt his presence. Could it be? She had not thought about Cain in quite a while. She rushed over to the window. A strange black car was slowly moving away. Was it him? Had he known she was upset, that she had lost Angel? No, I’m just being silly, she told herself. The family buried Angel in the woods, the place they went to every day when she was alive. After the funeral Mia often went there to talk to Angel, tell her the latest news, how much she missed her and how sorry she was. Sometimes, while she was there, she thought she felt Cain’s presence, and on occasions had called his name out.
There was never an answer.
***
Mia graduated from school. She was accepted at all of the five colleges she had applied to. Now she had to select one. They all seemed too many miles away from home and her mother. Eventually, Jess and Mia decided on Heath College in Banksfield. Banksfield was a small town, but the college was in the top twenty-five best colleges in North America. Best of all, it was only a four hour drive home.
Mia decided against staying on campus; she needed her own space. Even though she had made good friends in the past few years, she was still a loner at heart. She needed somewhere to relax and be alone with her thoughts. Jenny was her best friend despite being totally the opposite of Mia. Jenny liked to live on the edge. No matter how dangerous a stunt was she would try it, while Mia watched.
They became inseparable, as they began their teenage years. Jenny helped Mia with confidence issues due to her bad experiences with her stepfather. She was always smiling and saw the funny side to life. They spent nights sleeping at each other’s homes. Jenny had been accepted at a college in New York and was thrilled about living in such a busy, wild place. She had tried to get Mia to apply for New York as well, but the thought of being in such a big city scared Mia.
Jess readily agreed to go with Mia to Banksfield for a few days. Mia had an interview at the local grocery store and wanted some moral support. She was nervous and stuttered a few times, but she got the job. She would work the evening shift Monday to Friday, Saturday and Sunday would be arranged by roster, and she would get one weekend off every month. This would leave plenty of time for studying.
***
Mia found a few rooms advertised for rent in the town center. The first was a three-bedroom house, sharing with five other students, but she needed a room to herself.
The second was in a large house. As Mia and Jess were approaching, two drunks fell out of the door and started fighting. There was garbage strewn around and old cars on the overgrown lawn. Jess grabbed Mia’s arm, turned around and walked in the opposite direction.
Jess and Mia went to see the last room that had been advertised. Apartment 2B on First Street. From the outside the house looked grand. A large house, it had been converted to four apartments, two on the ground floor and two on the first floor.
“Isn’t it gorgeous, Mom? The ad said it was the first house built here in the 1800s. Well, what do you think?”
“It looks very impressive, but let’s see the inside first before you make your mind up.”
A bubbly girl who looked to be Mia’s age opened the door. Mia introduced herself and her mother. The girl showed them in.
“I’m Taz, and this is mine and Billy’s place. Billy’s at work at the moment. So you said on the phone you’re starting college next month?”
“Yes, and I just got a job at the grocery store.” Mia instantly liked Taz. She was friendly and had a warm smile, so genuine that it reached her pretty hazel eyes. Her blonde hair flowed down her back in big curls, which complemented her curvy figure.
“Okay, cool. I’ll show you around. Like the ad said, rent is $650.00 a month. You have to buy your own food and we don’t allow pets. We don’t have parties or play music loud because the neighbors complain and we don’t need the hassle.”
The apartment was a little old fashioned but clean and it felt spacious. The living area was large and there was a galley-style kitchen. It only had the one bathroom with a bath and separate shower, but it had two bedrooms.
“This is the room we’re renting.” Taz showed Mia into the room. “All the furniture comes with it.” The room was smaller than Taz and Billy’s but still a good size. There was a single bed, a desk with a chair, chest of drawers, and a wardrobe.
“Mom, it’s perfect. It’s only a ten-minute walk from where I’ll be working and thirty minutes from college. I wouldn’t even need to drive. That would save me money on gas.”
Jess agreed because Taz seemed like a nice girl. Mia told Taz she was interested in the room, but Taz said she had someone else coming to see the room the next day.
Mia was on pins for two days waiting for the call. But Taz phoned to say the room was hers if she wanted it.
***
Mia visited Angel’s grave and told Angel all about college, the room, and her new job. She promised to come back every month and visit. Just as she had felt Cain’s presence before, she felt him again today. With a sigh, she brushed the feeling off. Cain, she imagined, seemed to be about a lot lately, but she told herself she was just being silly.
Mia moved to Banksfield one week before college started. Her new job was due to start the weekend before term. She was beyond excited.
Taz introduced Mia to the neighbors. The slight old woman in 1B was deaf, but Mia liked her. She had a kind face, a warm smile. 1A was home to a couple in their late twenties; they were musicians and traveled a lot with the orchestra. They reminded her of hippies with their wild, unkempt hair, relaxed attitude, and multi-colored clothing. Then there was 2A, Mrs Brown. She was an elderly woman with a broad frame, silver hair pulled back into a tight bun, and a stern face.
“All the old bag does is spy on people and moan about the least little thing. I keep her happy by offering to go to the shops for her,” Taz said.
But Mia could tell the old lady was fond of Taz by the smile that appeared on her face when she saw her, and the way her voice softened when she spoke to her. When she spoke to others, she was abrupt, straight to the point. But Taz always had a sour note to her voice when she spoke about Mrs Brown.
On the night Mia moved in, Taz and Billy were helping her move her stuff into the room when Billy dropped a box on his foot. He limped about, cursing. Then the banging started. She asked Taz what the noise was.
“That’s the old bag, the infamous Mrs Brown.”
 
; Over the next few months Mia got on well with Taz. Taz was twenty-one and had been living with Billy since she was seventeen. Taz found it hard to believe that Mia had never had a boyfriend, or that she didn’t really drink. The age limit to drink had always seemed absurd to Taz. Mia would just have the occasional glass of wine with her food. Her grandmother was Italian, and it was customary for the family to have wine with meals.
***
Taz and Billy both worked at the local bar. Billy seemed nice, but was very quiet. He never
spoke much, although that could be because it was hard to get a word in with Taz around. He
was tall, around six foot, and he looked like he worked out a lot. He had dark hair and the
hardest looking eyes Mia had seen in a long time. Sometimes she felt a little intimidated by him; she would hate to be on the wrong side of that stern stare. Though he looked like he needed to shave most of the time, he could be very charming. And he loved Taz.
***
One night Mia was woken by a loud noise. She looked at the clock, heard laughter and then another crash, which was followed by banging on the wall, and Mrs Brown shouting about the noise.
Mia got up and walked into the living room. Taz was trying to get Billy up off the floor. The pair tried to suppress their giggles, which made them laugh even more.
Mia stood with her arms folded, trying not to smile. “What the hell, guys? It’s three a.m.
and you’ve woken Mrs Brown.”
Taz looked at Mia. She put her fingers to her lips. “Shhh.” Then burst out laughing again as she stumbled and fell on top of Billy. Billy starting kissing Taz.
“Get a room, you two, and be quiet about it.” Mia grinned as she walked back to her bedroom.
In the morning, she scrunched up her nose at the smell of stale beer, which assaulted her nostrils. In the living room, Taz was asleep on the couch and Billy was snoring on the floor. He was wearing just his boxer shorts. After spraying perfume about the place, Mia made herself a coffee. She sat at the counter breathing in the aroma, when a half-naked Billy walked in, hand inside his boxers, scratching himself. She didn’t know which way to turn.
Billy yawned, and then noticed Mia staring at him with her mouth slightly open. He looked down and grinned. “Like what you see?” He pulled his hand out of his boxers, then lifted his hand to his mouth and sucked his middle finger.
Mia quickly turned her head away. “You’re disgusting!”
“Lighten up, will you. I’m only joking.” Mia didn’t look at him. “Okay, I’m going to get dressed.” He said as he walked away laughing.
Mia rubbed her forehead as Taz walked in, still wearing last night’s clothes. She grabbed
Mia’s coffee from her hand. “I’m dying. I swear that’s the last time I’m drinking.” She took a gulp and handed the coffee back to Mia.
Mia raised her eyebrow. “You said that two days ago.” She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “I need you to talk to Billy for me. I don’t like the way he acts around me, or the things he says.”
Taz put her arm on the counter and slowly lowered her head onto it. “He just likes to wind you up. Take no notice of him.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t like it.”
Taz raised her head off the counter. “I’m going to bed. And before I forget, I got you a date for Friday.”
Mia slammed her cup down on the counter.
Taz jumped up. “Oh, God, my head is going to explode.”
Mia’s eyes bored into the back of Taz’s head as Taz again slowly lowered it onto her arm. “Serves you right. How dare you set me up on a date?” Mia had never had a boyfriend. She didn’t know if it was because of what happened to her as a child or if she didn’t find anyone interesting enough to catch her attention.
“Stop shouting,” Taz whispered.
“I’m not shouting.” Mia’s cheeks flushed as she felt her blood begin to boil. “And you need to talk to that boyfriend of yours!”
“Okay! I’ll talk to him later” As Mia went to speak, Taz covered her mouth. “Going to be
sick,” she mumbled and ran out of the room.
Mia shook her head and sighed loudly.
***
On Friday Mia sat at the bar with a glass of sparkling water in her trembling hand. “I can’t believe I agreed to this.”
Billy laughed and put his arm around Taz. “The guy’s a hillbilly hick.”
Taz elbowed him in his side. “No, he’s not. He’s a book geek. You two will hit it off great.” She beamed at Mia.
“Will he get your cherry tonight?” Billy said, as the left side of his mouth curled up. He looked Mia up and down.
Her eyes went wide. “No, he won’t! And he’s late. You said seven thirty. It’s seven thirty-
one. I’m going. I should never….”
Taz pointed to the door. “Too late now.”
Mia looked over her shoulder and her mouth fell open. Billy leant over and whispered
something in her ear. Mia mouthed, Yes.
Taz jumped off her seat. She hugged the guy, took hold of his hand and almost dragged him over to the bar. “Mia, this is Theo.”
Theo pushed his gold-rimmed round glasses up his nose and smiled. Mia half-smiled back.
Taz let go of Theo and grabbed Billy’s hand. “Let’s give these two some privacy, let them
get to know each other.” She winked at Mia.
Billy nearly choked on his drink, trying to hold his laugh in. Mia glared at the pair of them.
“You’re not leaving me?”
Taz just waved and dragged the chuckling Billy away.
Theo sat next to Mia, and looked at his watch. “I can’t stay long. Mom gets worried if I’m out after nine.”
“How old are you, Theo?”
He pushed his glasses back up and sat straight and proud. “I’m nineteen.”
Mia sank into her seat. “Great,” she mumbled.
“What?”
“So what do you do for fun?”
Theo smiled. “Mostly I go to comic book conventions.” He reached into his jacket pocket
and pulled something metal out. “I got this at the Star Trek convention.” He opened his hand.
Mia looked at it. “What is it?”
Theo huffed. “It’s an exact replica of an engineering insignia pin.”
Mia looked at the pin, then back to Theo. Her phone began to ring. “Excuse me. Hi.” She turned away from Theo, and she smiled. “Yes, of course. I’ll be right there.” She put the phone away. “I’m sorry but I have to go. There’s been an emergency at home.” She scrambled into her jacket. “It was nice meeting you, Theo.”
“Okay, I can see you again?”
“I’ll call you.” She turned away and almost ran for the door.
She heard Theo shouting, “You don’t have my number!”
Mia made it around the corner before she pulled her phone out and dialed. “Thanks, Billy. You can tell Taz she’s in big trouble when I get my hands on her.” Then her face paled. “What? I owe you big time?” She held her breath as he talked some more. “Okay, bye.” Slowly she lowered the phone from her ear and stared at it.
Chapter 22
Cain had followed Mia the day she moved to Banksfield. He had been watching her for months, especially since the dog’s death. He felt he needed to keep a closer eye on her. He did not like the look of Billy; there was something strange about him. He suspected Billy had an evil streak in him. But was he just being overprotective? No. Something was definitely not right with Billy.
Cain checked out where Billy worked and became a regular. Most days he would sit at the bar and make small talk with him. He got to know Taz too, but she was harder to read. He didn’t think her as bad as Billy, but there was a nasty streak in her also. On the outside she was loud, bubbly, and friendly to everyone, but….
Wednesday lunchtime during Billy’s first shift of the week, Cain was sitting at the bar when Billy suddenly had a look of horror on
his face. His skin had paled and his heart rate increased. Cain turned to see what had startled him so. Two men. One was fat, balding, around sixty years old and stank of B.O. The other looked Eastern European, tall, muscular, around thirty years old with a scar from the corner of his left eye to halfway down his neck. He stank of cheap aftershave and stale tobacco. These were not nice guys; they were definitely up to no good.
“What the hell are you doing here?” Billy hissed at the men when they got closer. He scanned the bar nervously, hoping no one noticed his company. “How’d you find me?”
“Now don’t be like that, Billy Boy,” the fat man said. “It’s taken us a while to track you down. You owe us and we’ve come for payment.”
Cain picked up on his malicious intent.
Billy hurriedly ushered the men to a quiet table at the back of the bar. They talked in hushed voices, and no one else would have been able to hear them. Cain was different.
“Taz, now I like her. You know I couldn’t allow you to take her,” Billy said.
“Yeah, we know, but you cost us a lot of money. Everyone knew she was the target. Our client liked the look of her. It wasn’t just the money, Billy, it was our reputation as well,” Scar Face said.
“I just couldn’t do it to her. I fell in love with her. Don’t take her away from me.” Billy was scared. His face ashen as he held his breath, beads of sweat appearing on his skin.
“If you want to keep her we’ll need a replacement, but we want a virgin so you’d better get working. You were always good at charming the ladies.” The fat man winked at Billy. “Don’t think about running. This time we’ll be watching you, watching you both. We know you live at 2B on First Street, and we know Taz works here four nights a week. You have until the end of the week. We’ll be back to make arrangements for the collection. Either Taz or a replacement. Don’t let us down again.”
The men got up and left. Billy tried to use his mobile but his hands were shaking so bad it took him three attempts to get the right number.
“Taz, we’re in trouble. Arben and Joe are here. No, I don’t know how they found us. Yes, they know you’re here too. I finish in an hour, so don’t open the door to…. Stop shouting! Just stay put. I’ll tell the boss you’re sick and come home now. Can’t talk. Wait for me. I’ll tell you everything when I get there.”