Her Guardians Lost (Her Guardians Trilogy #2) (6 page)

“I made some calls and set everything up. It was easier arranging it than I thought.”

“Really? For when?”

I heard him hesitate, then sigh. “I had a window of opportunity tomorrow.”

“Tomorrow?” I asked, shocked. I didn’t think it would be that soon.

“I know. It’s too soon. I’m sorry. Let me cancel it.”

“No! No, it’s fine. What time do I need to be there?”

“It’s set up for ten o’clock. I’ll come around for you at nine-thirty, if that’s okay.”

“That’s fine, Simon. Perfect.”

With a click of the button, the silence filled the room. I edged over to my bed so I could climb under the sheets. It was kind of awkward with my arm in a sling. It still hurt when I moved it, but the pain seemed more bearable now.

I lay back on my pillow, noticing it was only ten, but it felt like I had been up for days. I knew sleep would quickly find me because nothing compared to the feel of your own bed. And, with that notion in my head, my eyes grew heavy and my breathing shallow.

Chapter 5

There it was again. The sound of laughter filling the air. I turned towards it, only to see that bloody door again. Why couldn’t I open it? Why couldn’t I see through it? Why wouldn’t it just open and let me see who was laughing? I knew they were children. I could hear the childlike innocence fill the air. What I couldn’t understand was how important it all seemed to me. It felt like I was on the precipice of finding something major— something monumental.

I gripped my eyes shut and took some deep breaths. I had to try to break down that door. I had to find the answers to my questions.

I felt like the wolf in
Little Red Riding Hood
. I was huffing and puffing, ready to blow the door down. The laughter was all around me, teasing me with its wonderful sounds of happiness—happiness I so desperately desired.

I was standing at the door. It was within arm’s reach. Closing my eyes, I counted down from ten. Once I got to zero, I slammed my shoulder into the door as hard as I could. Nothing moved, though. I became frantic, kicking and punching it with all my might. But nothing worked. Nothing I could do would open that door.

In my frenzied haze, I could hear another sound. It sounded like my alarm clock. Why was my alarm in my dream?

I turned and could see the door slipping away from me. I tried to reach out, tried to grab hold of anything I could, but I was being swept away by some unknown force.

“No!” I cried, wanting so desperately to find my way back.

Gasping for air, I woke up. My alarm was still ringing, but the sound of my heart was louder. What the hell was with these dreams? They were all the same. Nothing changed. I knew the dream was significant, but I didn’t know why.

With a push of my arm, I managed to switch the alarm off. The pain in my shoulder jolted me, though. It would seem I wasn’t healing as fast as I would have liked.

With a sigh and a shake of my head, I climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom. I took my pain meds and stared longingly at my shower. I knew I had to redress my wound anyway, so maybe I could take this one off and try to shower without getting it wet. I couldn’t see how, but I thought it might be worth a try.

As gently as I could, I took my sling and dressing off. It hurt like hell, but I knew it had to be done. I stared for a while, taking in the sight of the angry wound. It looked sore, really sore, but it was nowhere near as sore as my heart.

I showered…awkwardly. Redressed my wound…awkwardly. Everything I did, I did awkwardly. I missed having two arms.

By the time I managed to get ready, eat, and brush my teeth, it was almost time for Simon to arrive. I barely had the thought in my head when I got a text on my mobile.

It was from Simon, telling me he would be there in five minutes. I also noticed another from Michael at six o’clock this morning.

I thought you might be sleeping, so didn’t want to disturb you. I hope you’re feeling better. I’m going home soon to sleep, but if you need anything, please call. I don’t care if you wake me up. If I don’t hear from you, I’ll pop around later. Take care. xx

I had to smile as I gathered all my belongings and walked outside to wait for Simon. No matter what, Michael still continued to be my guardian angel, watching over me as only a guardian could.

I was still smiling when Simon pulled up. I opened the door, awkwardly pulled myself in, and sighed my frustration.

“It sucks, doesn’t it? I broke my arm once and couldn’t move it for several weeks. Man, it pissed me off.”

Chuckling, I found myself forgetting about my woes. It was just a reminder that sometimes people had it worse off than me.

“It’s just a little awkward. I’m sure I’ll get used to it.”

Simon started down the road. “You always look at things differently, don’t you?”

Frowning, I shook my head. “What do you mean?”

Simon turned a corner. “Well, you’ve been through so much, yet you sit here, as eager as ever, a big smile on your face.”

I almost felt tears at his statement. “You talk about me as though I’m something regal.”

Now it was Simon’s turn to frown. He looked across at me for a brief moment and shook his head. “You don’t see it, do you? I’m not sure what it is, but it makes people reach out to you. You feel, I don’t know, important.”

I couldn’t help it. I started laughing, and Simon quickly followed suit. “What’s so funny about that?”

“It’s not. I just…just don’t know what to say.” What
could
I say to something like that? Simon obviously saw something in me. I didn’t know what it was, but I wasn’t going to argue with him about it. To each his own, I suppose.

“Just take it as a compliment, Cassie.”

“Okay,” I said, laughing again. “Thank you.”

“No, thank you. I’m not sure what, if anything, will be achieved today. Frankly, it scares the shit out of me. I asked if I could be there with you but, for obvious reasons, they won’t let me anywhere near him.”

“And you are the one talking about me going through so much. Sometimes I suppose it’s easier focusing on someone else so you don’t have to deal with your own pain.” The moment I said it, I regretted it.

Simon saw me wince and reached out to grab my arm. “You know, it’s okay to admit what you feel, Cassie. It’s okay to admit to someone that you feel pain. You’re only human.”

I let my eyes roam over Simon’s face as I smiled. At that moment, I could see our bond was as strong as ever. He was more than just my boss. He was like a brother to me.

“Thank you,” I murmured. Simon smiled, pulled his hand away, and concentrated on his driving.

In another twenty minutes, we were parked outside an immense building. I wasn’t sure what this place was, but I didn’t care. I was here for one reason and one reason only. To get answers for Simon.

“Are you ready?”

Pulling my gaze from the building, I looked at his caring eyes. “Of course.”

“You don’t have to do this. You can pull out anytime you want.”

Nudging Simon with my good shoulder, I smiled. “I don’t think so.”

“I had a feeling you would say that. Come on then. Let’s get this over and done.”

Walking towards the door, I got a sense of trepidation. It didn’t help I was searched and was asked to pull out all my belongings before we ventured in.

We were both given a pass and were met by a small man, who looked to be in his fifties, with a white beard and glasses. “Simon, how nice to see you again.”

Smiling, Simon shook his hand. It led me to believe they knew each other rather well. No wonder Simon was able to pull some strings.

Turning his attention back to me, Simon motioned for me to come forward. “Thomas, this is the lady I was telling you about. Cassie Johnson.”

Taking a deep breath, Thomas held his hand out to me. “Oh, yes. Nice to meet you.”

Looking at his hand, I gasped a little, but it seemed like Simon was the only one who noticed.

Before Thomas could say anything, Simon asked, “So, what is the procedure?” He looked at me out of the corner of his eye. I released the breath I had been holding.

“Oh, um… You will have to wait outside, but Miss Johnson can take a seat in the counselling room. We thought it best to set it up in there. He seems to be a troubled man and we know he is hiding something. We just haven’t gotten to the bottom of it yet. I hope you might be able to shed some light on it.”

I smiled at Thomas, not knowing what to say because I wasn’t sure what Simon had told him. “Well, that’s what I’m here for.”

With a pat on Simon’s back, Thomas motioned for us to follow him. We were led to a lift, which took us to the third floor. Once we got off, we walked the quiet hallway towards a room at the end of the corridor.

“You can wait in here, Miss Johnson. We’ll bring Mr. Merryfield to you.”

“Thank you,” I said.

I felt a tug on my arm and when I turned around, Simon was looking at me, as if making sure I wanted to do this. I nodded. With a smile, he walked away, leaving me with Thomas. He led me into a quiet, comfortable room with white walls, sofa chairs, and an array of magazines placed neatly on the table. In the corner was a couple of boxes filled with toys for any children unfortunate enough to visit this place. The room was obviously made to make people feel comfortable enough to talk.

I thanked Thomas before he left, then I sat quietly, a guard in the corner warily watching me. His stare made me fidget under his intense scrutiny. “I’m not a villain, you know.” I thought I would break the silence. All he did was smirk at me. Good grief, another man who liked to intimidate. I bet if I were to read him, he would be just another Paul—but worse.

The door clicked open and it couldn’t have come soon enough. The attention that was once on me was now fully on Justin Merryfield.

He was as I remembered—dark, wavy brown hair, brown eyes, a five o’clock shadow, and rough features. He would have been a semi-attractive man if it wasn’t for the fact he looked tired and gaunt. His jeans and scruffy-looking checked shirt hung loose on him. I remembered him as a well-built man, but this person before me was nothing like that. The stress had obviously taken a toll on him.

He regarded me with a nervous smile and sat down on the chair opposite me. I waited for him to settle before I spoke. “Mr. Merryfield, I’m Cassie Johnson. I’ve come here today to speak with you about Molly and Caroline.”

The mere mention of his daughter’s name had his head snapping up to look at me. “You know, you’re the first person who has acknowledged Caroline as my daughter.”

That surprised me. “Well, she is, isn’t she?”

Looking off into the corner of the room, he smiled. “Yes, she is. But if you’ve come to dig and ask questions, I’m afraid I can’t help you.”

I shifted in my seat, pausing for a moment to gauge his body language. I knew all I would have to do was reach out and touch him, but that was easier said than done.

“You know, your daughter is a beautiful young lady. She will be quite the stunner when she’s older.” Watching him, I could tell this was the avenue I needed to proceed down.

In obvious pain, he closed his eyes. “I miss her.”

I could immediately tell what he said was true. I just couldn’t understand why he did what he did. He was a monster but, sitting here, he looked like a lost child.

“She misses you, too.” I smiled sympathetically towards him, despite not feeling that way. I needed to gain his trust.

“Does she?” Justin’s face was suddenly bright with joy. This just got stranger and stranger.

“Well you
are
her father, Justin. Do you mind me calling you Justin? Or would you prefer Mr. Merryfield?”

Justin smiled and I knew he was starting to relax. His whole posture, which was rigid when he came in, was slightly loosening. “Please, call me Justin.”

Sighing, I sat back in my chair so he didn’t think I was nervous, despite the fact my heart was drumming. I knew I had the guard in here if anything went wrong, but it still didn’t help alleviate the anxiety. At the end of the day, this man in front of me abducted a little girl and held her hostage for nineteen years.

“Thank you, Justin. Please, call me Cassie.” I matched his smile, but all I could think about was how I wanted to empty my stomach contents right about now. “Would you mind me asking you a few questions?” I saw him stiffen and I thought I may have lost him.

“It depends on what they are. I’ve had numerous people ask me questions.”

“I just wanted to ask about Molly and Caroline. I want an insight into the kind of life you all led as a family.”

Justin chuckled, but kept his eyes on the floor. “That’s a first. I was expecting, ‘Why did you do it?’.”

“Do you want to tell me why?” If he wanted to be open about it, I wasn’t going to stop him. It was better to get to the point rather than beat around the bush.

“I like your original question better.”

Oh, goodie. Beating around the bush it is then.

“Okay, so would you mind discussing it? I don’t want to make you feel uncomfortable, Justin. That’s not why I’m here.”

“Then why
are
you here?” His face said it all. He was bored with all the questions, bored with being here and, now that his family had been taken away, bored with life.

“Think of me as a Family Liaison Officer. I have every single one of your best interests at heart, Justin. I just want to make life easier for you all. Being apart from each other can’t be easy.”

His eyes filled with tears, and I saw the despair oozing out of them. I just couldn’t understand it. I wanted to, though. I really wanted to get to the heart of what’s been going on.

“We’ve never been apart. Not one single day. I’ve been going out of my mind with worry.” Justin slid his hands through his hair and gripped it with all his might. The rocking soon started.

“As I expect you would. See, I’m not the enemy here, Justin. I want to help.”

His rocking instantly stopped. He pulled his hands away to glare at me. “Why would you want to help a monster like me?”