THE GIRL I NEVER HAD, PART 16

I thought I’d wake up in a hospital bed. Instead, I woke up on the same cold ground where I’d been beaten. My head was pounding. My body ached. My fake Casio read 9:01 p.m. By now, I knew my mum was combing the area for me. The whole neighbourhood was silent except for a few people roaming about.

I got up and started walking home, forcing myself to look normal. My body screamed in pain, but I didn’t want anyone to see me limping.

When I reached our house, the living room light was still on. Mum was wide awake, cane on the table like a trophy waiting for me. My heart started racing again. Another beating tonight would finish me. I peeped through the window — she was lying on the sofa, dozing. This was my chance.

I opened the door quietly and entered, Nicodemus-style. I slipped into my room, changed into pyjamas, then came back to find her snoring softly. I locked the door, hid the cane, woke her and told her to go to bed. No punishment. For the first time that night, I smiled.

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Saturday. I woke up late, my body still heavy from the night before. I expected Mum to ask questions, but she didn’t. She was already dressed for a funeral and left some money behind. Now the house was mine.

I took a bath, made myself a breakfast fit for a king. Halfway through, the memories hit. The previous night started replaying in my head like a bad movie — the kiss, the blows, Lucy being taken away. My spoon froze in mid-air. Where was she? Was she safe?

A knock at the door snapped me back. Could it be Lucy? That poor girl. My heart raced. The knock came again. I opened the door — it was EK.

I ushered him in and offered him some food. He didn’t hesitate. The way he dug in told me he hadn’t eaten all day.

We chatted as we ate, but my mind was elsewhere. I wanted to tell him what happened last night. I wanted him to check on Lucy for me. But EK liked Lucy too. If I sent him there, would he go to help her… or to take his chance with her?

I was stuck between the devil and the deep blue sea. The girl I loved had been taken by two unknown men. I didn’t even know if they were kidnappers. The only person who could help me find out was also my rival. What should I do?