Page 77 of The Girl in the Woods

‘Maybe he’s waiting for things to calm down,’ Jassy reassured her. But as the evening wore on, Laine drank more and became tipsy and unreasonable.

When the text came through, Laine ignored it at first. She didn’t want to bother with her phone. Instead, she wanted to be somewhere quiet where she could think, and the woods were always the best place. They backed onto the playing fields so she could still hear the raucous laughter from the fair, but at the same time, she could sit and watch the sunset while she decided what to do. Perhaps me and Sajid could run away together. If I got enough money… But Sajid wouldn’t do that. She knew how crucial his studies were to him.

She clicked on the message. It was from Sajid.

Meet me by The Oak in 15 minutes. I love you.

Her heart leapt. The oak tree wasn’t far from where she was, and she hurried to it. Everyone knew it as ‘The Oak’ because it was one of the largest trees in the centre of the woods. Was Sajid going to make up with her? Oh please, God, let him make it up.

She arrived at the tree and looked around for Sajid, but there was no sign of him. ‘Sajid,’ she called softly.

A crackle of a branch caused her to turn. ‘Oh,’ she said. ‘What are you doing here?’

Frankie didn’t know what to do. She didn’t want any trouble. If only she could return to the fair and have fun, but she was too scared to move. If only she’d stayed in that fucking Portaloo queue. The man was yelling angrily now and waving his fists at the girl, who stepped backwards. Frankie could see the fear on her face and hear her shouting, but she couldn’t make out what she was saying.

He was grabbing at her handbag. Then the girl started running towards where Frankie was hiding. She could hear footsteps thudding hard on the ground as the man chased her. Frankie’s heart was banging in unison. If only her stupid legs would move.

Then she saw the man’s face. He was wearing a balaclava, which meant only one thing. It was The Vigilante, and he would have a machete. Everyone knew the stories about him.

To her horror, the girl slipped and fell. The man was on her immediately. Frankie bit back a scream.

Jassy felt like breaking down in tears. Already, she could feel them welling up behind her eyelids. Why did Laine have to be so stubborn? Where the hell was she? It was not the time to run off into the woods alone. If only it weren’t so dark. Then she saw Sajid and let out a massive sigh of relief.

‘Sajid,’ she called. ‘Have you seen Laine?’

He shook his head. Jassy gasped at his swollen eye and cut forehead.

‘She ran into the woods. She said she wanted to be alone. But that was ages ago, and I’m too scared to go into the woods now it’s getting dark,’ she said tearfully. ‘I’ve texted her, but she’s not answering.’

‘I’ll find her,’ he said.

Jassy nodded, reassured. ‘She’s probably gone to The Old Oak. That’s where she usually goes when she’s upset.’

Sajid nodded and made for the woods.

She took a deep breath and then saw Needles approaching her, and her body froze. ‘Where’s Laine? Ain’t see her in ages?’ he asked.

‘I haven’t either,’ she said, but her eyes betrayed her and he followed her gaze to where Sajid was entering the woods.

‘Fucking Paki,’ he growled.

‘No, wait,’ said Jassy, panicking. ‘You don’t understand.’

But he was already running into the woods.

Frankie couldn’t move. She tried, but her body wouldn’t let her. It was paralysed with fear. Her mind pleaded with her to scream, but no matter how hard she tried, her paralysed vocal cords prevented her. She ought to run and get someone, but she wouldn’t stand a chance if he heard her.

Then he was up, looking around. Please don’t come this way.

As if answering her plea, he turned and ran into the woods.

Frankie stayed in the same position for nearly three minutes before she felt safe enough to move, and then she ran faster than she’d ever run in her life, tripping over stray twigs and stones. Twice she stumbled and fell and had to drag her trembling body upright. Finally, she heard the sound of voices close by and began to weep.

Sajid had almost reached the Old Oak when he saw something lying on the ground. The shadows cast by the moon created a sharp, stark contrast against the surrounding area on the blood that flowed from Laine’s head. Dazed, he stared at the body, afraid to move nearer. He stiffened with shock, and his skin tingled with fear as he moved closer. It couldn’t be Laine. Then he recognised Laine’s dress.

He shook his head.

‘No, no,’ he said, shuffling back in shock.

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