Cinderfella Page 10

  “Okay. Say I believe you? Why do all those spiteful things to me over the years? Why did you always side with Bruno? Why did you always rat me out to your father?”

  “I never wanted to. I was just really confused back then…guess I was frightened.”

  “Of?” I check my watch. “Three minutes.”

  “Of how I…how I felt about you,” he blurts. He looks up, red-faced.

  “What?” I uncross my arms. “What are you saying?”

  “Do you remember, before mum died and we used to play? You were always the cop and we were the robbers? You’d chase us…we’d laugh a lot…”

  “Yeah, I remember. Surprised you do. And?”

  “I remember looking up to you so much. I adored you. But then she died, and Dad just turned on you…he changed into someone else. He got it into our heads that you didn’t belong, that you were to blame…”

  “And you believed that?” I suddenly feel very cold.

  “I was a kid, He was my dad. Bruno started to play tricks on you; he got nasty with you as he got older. I thought he resented you, was jealous of you.”

  “Jealous of me, ‘Ashes the Pig Boy?’ I don’t think so.” I huff. “Is this story actually going anywhere? Two minutes.”

  “He thought that Mum loved you more than him. She knew he was different. I remember how she loved you. I was young, but I remember how she’d smile at you. And look at you, you’re so…and he’s so…”

  “Get to the point!”

  “As I got older, I realised I was different to the other boys. They started liking girls…I only liked…you.” My mouth hangs open in shock. “I’d follow you. You never knew. I liked watching you work. I often left you cake and sweets by your mattress.”

  “That was you? I always assumed that was Cook.”

  “I’ve watched you study at the library until it closed. You always looked so tired. I hope the laptop was a help?”

  “That was you?”

  “I paid for it with my birthday money.”

  “Why?”

  “I felt guilty about how I’ve behaved…what they did, do to you.”

  “So, you’re saying?”

  “At first I thought it was just a crush but…but I’ve had feelings for you for a while now.” I gasp. He gazes into my eyes hopefully. It’s now my turn to stare at the floor. “Please, Ash, please say something? Anything?”

  “Don’t know what to say,” I mumble.

  “Are you disgusted?”

  “I…” I can’t find the right words.

  “Are you disgusted because I’m gay or that I’m your brother?”

  “I’m not disgusted.” I finally look at him. “I’m disgusted with the way you all treat me, not that you’re gay. I’m shocked because I’m your brother.”

  “Adopted brother.” He adds like it could make me see him differently. “We weren’t even brought up together, we barely shared the same space for more than a few minutes…but you don’t see me the way I see you…I get it. I only ever wanted you to notice me, and for you to love me, but you love her.” He wipes his eyes.

  “I do.”

  “I’m so sorry Ash, for my actions in the past. I feared how they’d react if they found out. I saw the way they treated you and was terrified they’d do it to me too. So, I tried to cover it up by pretending to be like them, pretending to hate you. Believing if I pretended to hate you then it may become a reality and I would be normal.”

  “You can’t stop being who you are, not for anyone.” I go to place my hand on his shoulder but stop myself. I’m not ready for that yet. This is all so messed up. How did I not see this? Where do we go from here? “You’ve told me now, maybe you can move on?”

  “I’ll try. I’m truly sorry if I’ve made you feel uncomfortable…I just thought it was time to tell the truth. I never knew things would get so out of control. I knew who she was, I was following you, watching you both and then I saw the shoe…and just thought we’d claim the reward money. Bruno has taken this way beyond too far now.”

  “And?”

  “And I want out. I need you to tell the cops that I’ve helped you.”

  “You haven’t yet.” I lean against the hay wall awaiting his plan, hoping he has one.

  “Tonight, Bruno knows he can’t get out of this now, he’s taking the gun…I’m worried he’ll use it.”

  “If he hurts Ellie, then he’ll have to shoot me. ‘Cos I actually will fuckin’ kill him.”

  “When he brings her to you, I’ll be with him. If he looks like he may go for the gun, I’ll be there to take him by surprise. He’ll never see it coming.”

  “Fine. But if she gets hurt in any way…”

  “She won’t.”

  “If you betray me …”

  “I swear I won’t. I’ve done enough damage already. Bruno’s lost the plot. He needs to be stopped. He’s my twin. I love him through all his faults, but if this happens…I’ll never get my life back. I don’t want to spend it behind bars. I don’t want to be hated.” He rubs his palms over his face. “Look, I have to go. She’s on her own with them. They may suspect something’s wrong.”

  “Yes, get back there. Look after my girl, right?”

  “Right. Ash, please don’t hate me?” He bends ready to crawl through the gap.

  “I don’t. You just need to give me some space. I need time to process all this.”

  “Okay.”

  “See you tonight.”

  “Okay.”

  “And Jack?”

  “Yeah?” He stops, just about to stick his head outside.

  “You’d better not be playing me. She gets hurt, so do you.”

  “You know the annoying thing? I actually really like her.” He smiles a downward smile and crawls away.

  “Me too,” I mouth.

  13: Ellie

  “When is Jack coming back?” I dare to ask. No one’s spoken in ages and the silence is deafening.

  “Why, you fancy him too? Maybe you like to roll around in the gutter with more than one rat? Maybe you’re not that posh after all.” Bruno laughs.

  “I’m guessing that you are both single. Am I correct?” I look to him and then to his bulky friend.

  “And?” Bruno jumps up off the old, rusting car bonnet and stands over me. “What’s your point?” I gulp, mentally kicking myself for starting this.

  “My point is that you may be single for a reason. Perhaps if you tried to be a little kinder…how could you respect a woman when you clearly don’t respect yourselves?” Folding my arms tightly across my chest. Why am I wasting my breath?

  “You don’t know anything about us.” Bruno bends down, whispering against my ear. My stomach knots in two. Where the heck is Jack?

  “And believe me, I don’t wish to. Look…” I try a change of tactic, “I know about your mother, I’m so sorry.”

  “Why? You didn’t kill her. Looking after Ashes most likely did that.”

  “Is that what your father told you?”

  “It’s a fact.” He narrows his beady eyes into slits, signalling me to shut up.

  “Do you think she’d be proud of the man you’re becoming?” I just can’t stop myself. I want to hurt him like he’s hurt Ash so many times before. I want to get through to him somehow.

  “Shut your mouth! You know nothing about my mother!”

  “Ash has told me parts. Did you know that this…” I point to the silk scarf wrapped in my hair, “this was her favourite? These clothes were hers too and these boots…”

  “You may be wearing her clothes, but if you don’t shut that big gob of yours you won’t be wearing them for much longer!” His face has turned an unattractive shade of crimson. Time to do as I’m told for once and shut the hell up. At least half an hour passes before I dare to speak again.

  “What time is it?” I ask, hoping that it won’t be too long until my rescue, until I see him.

  “Why you got a hot date?” The friend, whom I’ve secretly named ‘The Fridge’ o
n account of his huge frame, asks.

  “Have you got a name? I think it’s only polite that I know it.”

  “He’s Benny,” Bruno adds. “Benny here, well he don’t need your attention, but I wouldn’t say no.”

  “Dude, what the hell?” Benny, a.k.a ‘The Fridge,’ pushes Bruno’s shoulder causing him to stumble over my feet. I quickly draw them up onto the sun lounger.

  “What the fuck is your problem?” Bruno regains his balance, pushing Benny back harder.

  “You told her my name! You swore to keep my name out of it! Now the little cow can identify us all. Why not give her my friggin’ address too?” Benny shoves Bruno back my way. I jump from the lounger taking a place against the far wall. Bruno crashes to the floor.

  “Why you ungrateful pile of shit!” Bruno’s back up and running at Benny. Both collide sending them flying backwards over the car bonnet. They punch and yell. I remember now that although they may look like men on the outside, inside they’re nothing but boys, both in need of a damn good hiding.

  This is my chance to escape. I spider my way along the wall until I reach the half-open shutter. Lowering myself, stealthily until I can simply bend under. I make a dash for it, Ouch! My head catches, scraping the metal, making a crashing sound, disturbing my plan. Sunlight hits me like a welcome friend, and I’m up, running. I have no idea which direction will lead me to safety, but I run and don’t look back.

  “Shit! She’s gone!” Bruno yells behind me. I never knew I could run this fast, guess I’m fuelled on by adrenaline. I can still hear their shouts as I run onto a small country road. My desire for freedom, my desire to see Ash again leads me onward. Thank God! A car’s driving toward me.

  “Stop!” I jump in the road. “Please, stop!” Trying to wave my arms, which are still bound at the wrists. The sun’s blinding me as it bounces off the windscreen.

  “Stop her!” Bruno’s low tones are getting worryingly close. The car door opens. I shield my eyes to see whom I need to thank.

  “Hello, Princess.” The driver sighs.

  “Jack?”

  “Brother! Stop her!” Bruno screams.

  “Don’t Jack. Please?” I try to step around him, but he grabs my arm. “Please? I know this isn’t you,” I beg, desperately trying to wriggle from his grasp.

  “I’m sorry,” he whispers.

  “Me too!” I kick him hard in the shin and he lets go, squealing obscenities at me. Turning to run. A gunshot fires over my head. I freeze.

  “Get in the car.” Bruno orders, pointing the gun at me. “Or the next one won’t miss.” Jack pushes me down into the passenger seat.

  “I thought you were different.”

  “I am.” He slams the door on me. The back doors slam in unison as Bruno and Benny join us.

  “Try that again,” Bruno leans in behind me, catching my gaze in the mirror, “and I’ll do something we’ll both regret.”

  My wrists are tied around the wheel of the old broken-down car back at the garage. They spoon feed me like an infant and drag me out for occasional toilet/ bush breaks. Treated like an animal, I’ve never felt so degraded. The only thing that’s keeping me from giving up and breaking down is the thought of seeing Ash again. I overheard them talking about him, and he’s coming for me very soon, at midnight, which means that Bruno didn’t hurt him too badly and he’s okay. I just need to hold it together until then. I won’t give them my tears. They won’t break me.

  * * * *

  “It’s time.” Bruno announces. “Bring her. Let’s do this.” I catch a glimpse of Bruno’s gun sticking out of his coat pocket. Benny unties me, yanking me roughly from the old car. Before I can rotate my wrists to get my circulation moving again, he ties them together.

  “I’ll take her.” Jack grabs my elbow and walks me under the shutter.

  “Jack,” I side whisper. “He has the gun. It’s not too late to help me.”

  “Quiet.” He hushes me. “Just trust me, okay?” He nods like he knows something I don’t. A sense of hope rushes over me. I can almost taste my freedom.

  “Let’s get this over with,” Benny grunts, pulling a balaclava down over his face. This won’t hide his identity. I know who he is. Idiot.

  I’m driven to a large open field. I guess they’re not as stupid as I first perceived, this way no one can sneak up on us. Ash won’t have any back up. Bruno has that gun. Putting it politely, we are screwed.

  We step out. Grabbing my roped wrists, Bruno pulls me to the centre of the field. It’s dark and silent, too silent.

  “Somebody help me!” I scream out into the nothingness.

  “Shut her up would ya.” Bruno nods to Jack. Jack pulls the silken scarf from my hair and ties it round my face and mouth in the fashion of a makeshift gag.

  “Not so talkative now, huh?” Bruno snarls.

  “Let her go.” Ash’s voice rings out of the darkness. My heart beats faster. He’s come for me!

  “Show yourself, Ashes,” Bruno demands.

  “I’m right here.” He steps into view a few feet in front of us. I melt when he looks at me. “You okay?” I nod. I am now.

  “You got my money?”

  “Yes. Send her to me and it’s yours.” He sounds calm, a lot calmer than I am. He looks okay, he must be a fast healer, or the night is playing tricks on me.

  “You know you two can never be together.” Bruno grins. “I mean, look at her, and then look at you. She’s so out of your league.” I try to tell him that I don’t care but it just comes out a mumbled mess against my gag.

  “Here’s your money.” Ash holds up a briefcase.

  “You came alone? Good boy.”

  “You want it or not?”

  “I do, but first get on your knees and beg for her life.” Bruno pulls the gun out, placing it against my head. I can’t breathe.

  Ash’s eyes reflect the sheer panic in mine. I tremble uncontrollably, feeling faint. I will myself to breathe, to concentrate on Ash.

  “Bruno, man, don’t do this,” Jack pleads. “You’ve gone too far, but it’s not too late to get you some help.”

  “Shut it Jack. Don’t you dare wimp out on me now. Beg Ashes, beg at my feet. He pushes the gun harder into my temple. I feel all the blood draining from my face.

  “Bruno, man, don’t. She’s not worth it. Give me the gun bro.” Jack puts out his hand. Bruno turns the gun on his brother.

  “Jack you are such a complete let down. I should shoot you first and get you to stop whining!” Jack puts his hands in the air.

  “Look at me,” Jack whispers, and takes a step closer to him. “You are my brother. Do you really want to hurt me? Are you really going to shoot me?” Bruno lowers the gun slightly. “Now, Ash!” he shouts.

  What happens next is a blur. There’s shouting and an obscene amount of punching. Jack grabs at the gun. Ash flies at me, knocking me to the ground, taking me out of the line of fire. Big Benny jumps on Ash and they roll around on the floor. I glance over at Jack and Bruno still both scrabbling for the weapon. I’m witnessing it all in slow motion, wanting to get up but I’m frozen in fear and still bound at the wrists. Ash seems to have the upper hand, holding Benny down; he sits on his chest and punches his face over and over. He looks wild, feral. Finally, he draws back his elbow and delivers an all-powerful blow. Benny won’t be a problem for a while. He scurries to my side, looking like my Ash again.

  “Are you alright?” He unties the gag. “Tell me you’re okay?”

  “Yes. Go help Jack.” I gesture over to his brothers. “Get the gun.”

  “I’ll be right back.” He jumps to his feet and grabs Bruno’s neck from behind, pulling him backward as Jack rips the gun from his hands.

  Struggling against the ropes, I eventually, painfully pull them down over my hands. I stand on quivering legs. All three of them are a big fighting jumble of limbs as Bruno tries to regain power and the gun.

  BANG!

  A single shot screams out in to the night. I can’t breathe. Who
’s hit? Is somebody hit? I check myself. I’m okay. Is Ash? No, I couldn’t bare it…

  “Ash?” I squeal, running at them.

  “I’m not hit,” he pants. “Stay back!”

  Bruno is up and running across the field. But Ash is on his heels. Bruno doesn’t make it far before he’s tackled to the ground.

  “Princess?” Jack croaks. He hasn’t got up or moved at all. I drop down beside him.

  “What is it? Are you hurt?”

  “Think I got a bit shot.” He tries to smile, but only manages a pained grimace.

  “Don’t move. Ash! I need you!” But he doesn’t respond. He’s pounding into Bruno over and over until Bruno is begging him to stop.

  “Ash!” I scream, getting to my feet, running toward him. “He’s not worth it! Don’t turn into him! You’re better than this! Stop!” He looks back at me with so much pain in his eyes, so much torment. “Come back to me?” I reach for him.

  To my relief he gets up off his brother and grabs my hand. The wildness has gone from his expression.

  “He’s hurt!” I pull him over to Jack. His eyes are closing. “Stay with me do you hear? You can’t go…I order you to stay. Your Princess needs you.”

  “Jack?” Ash kneels at my side.

  “He’s shot.” I sob.

  “Give me your scarf.”

  I place the scarf in his hand he covers the gunshot, pressing on the wound with the scarf that has now quickly turned from blue to red. Something so beautiful is now ugly and ruined forever.

  “Hey, stay with us okay? “Ash lightly pats Jacks face.

  “Think…” Jack’s eyes flutter. “Think it’s time for me to go…”

  “No! Do you hear me?” Ash pulls out a small torch from his back pocket to examine the wound. “The bullet looks like it just missed your heart. You’re lucky.”

  “I don’t feel lucky.” Jack splutters.

  “Don’t speak. Shit, this isn’t stopping the blood.” Ash throws the scarf away. He pulls his top over his head in one fluid motion, then bundles it up, pressing it over Jack’s wound. “Hold on. Help is on the way.”

  “Ash…I’m so sorry.” Jack croaks. The sound of propellers advances overhead and I pray that they will hurry. “I know you are. Try not to speak. The police are coming, they’ll take care of you.”