Page 19 of Waste
“Shels? You awake?”
“Yes, she’s just resting; she has a headache again,” Gail replied.
“Hey, kid,” Charlie spoke softly as he sat on the bed.
Shelley opened her eyes and offered him a weak smile. “Hi.”
“You look done in.”
“Charlie, I feel it.” There was movement at Shelley’s side, and Gail stood up.
“I’m going to speak to your dad and Drew. Be back soon,” Gail said and dropped a kiss on Shelley’s head. As soon as the door closed behind her, Shelley speared Charlie with a grim stare.
“Get Mum out of here. She’s doing my head in!” Shelley exclaimed.
“Too much doting?” Charlie teased, and Shelley just stopped herself from rolling her eyes.
“Yes, please, Charlie, make them take a break. I can’t cope with all this,” Shelley begged. “I don’t want to sound ungrateful, but Mum’s being OTT and is smothering me.”
“Shelley…” Charlie sighed. “After what happened with John Saville, Mum’s on high alert. And now this? The police have confirmed that your brakes and handbrake were tampered with. Although how the fuck anyone messed with them is puzzling the shit out of everyone.”
“The car was serviced at that new garage,” Shelley replied, frowning. “Wait, interfered with? You mean someone did this on purpose?”
“Yeah, Shels, somebody meant to harm you, maybe even kill you.” Charlie frowned as he spoke, trying to soften the words and their impact.
“Why?” Shelley cried.
“We don’t know, but the police are attempting to find out whether there is a link between John Saville and this attack,” Charlie elaborated.
Shelley shook her head and wished she hadn’t as pain lanced through it. ‘Now forget about me or die.’ The words raced through her mind. The ghoul had said that. ‘There are monster hunters; they will take you and torture you to find out what you know about me.’ And that too. Had the ghoul or monster hunters caused her accident?
Shelley paled. Blast, she needed more information. But even with knowledge, what could she do? The police wouldn’t believe her story; hell, Shelley had trouble believing it. A real-life monster? Yeah, the cops would lock her up and throw away the key. The men in white jackets would carry her off laughing.
She had to discharge herself and find the ghoul. He could explain more to her about these hunters.
“Shels?” Charlie sounded concerned, and Shelle peeked up. “You blanked out, sis.”
“Sorry. I’m trying to get my head around the fact that someone wants to kill me.”
“Mum and Dad didn’t want to tell you. But Drew and the police insisted, you know. It’s been an ongoing argument since yesterday. Shels, no offence, how friendly are you with this Drew? You do understand who he is?”
“I didn’t know who he was, Charlie. I’ve met Drew twice at the shop, and he offered me his number. He stated women shouldn’t have to give their numbers out and feel unsafe. Jo hit on Drew, and he shut her down both times. Then he stopped at the scene of the accident. I was so scared that when I recognised him, I latched onto him.”
Charlie looked thoughtful. “Drew claims he’s in town to record a new song. His hotel was in that direction, and he’s right.Drew had to travel that route to reach it. But even so, coming across your accident? That’s a massive coincidence.”
“Do you think he’s dangerous?” Shelley whispered and gazed out of the window at Drew, standing and talking to her parents.
“I don’t know. But the Saville experience soured everyone. Maybe I’m just being overreactive. Saville nearly stole you from us, and I can’t be sorry he’s dead. I hope he’s burning in hell somewhere, I really do. I’m trying not to be overprotective, but it’s hard,” Charlie admitted.
“Yeah, I understand. But I’m okay.”
“Shels, you’re not, that’s the problem. If this was an attempt to kill you, it failed, and they may try again,” Charlie said.
Shelley paled. She needed to get out of here and somehow contact the ghoul. Her gut told her he’d have answers.
“But I haven’t pissed anyone off that badly, not unless someone is fanatical about their coffee and I made them the wrong order,” Shelley replied.
Her attempt at brevity failed as Charlie stared at her. “Have you had any irate customers lately?”
