My chin ached where the blade had been. I wiped away the trickle of blood.
“I’m glad we agree,” Steph said. “Now I can’t risk you running off to the police before tomorrow, so you’re staying here tonight. Then I’ll escort you to your bail appointment at the station tomorrow where you can confess. I can’t let my big sister fail her bail conditions, after all. What sort of sister would that make me?” Steph mocked.
I stared intently at her, hoping that somehow that needling doubt I’d placed within her would start to weaken her hard exterior.
“Rhys, take her through to the lounge, and keep your eyes on her. I’ll stay here by the front door. We don’t want a runaway situation, do we?” She spoke almost playfully, as if this were just a big game.
Rhys grabbed my arm from behind me and led me into the lounge. It was dark and gloomy, the curtains pulled and the bulb in the shade-less light a cheap one. I wriggled my arm from his grasp and hovered in the middle of the room, keeping eye contact with him.
“Rhys, you don’t have to do this.”
“Shut up,” snapped Steph. “Don’t try manipulating him.”
“Me? You’re the one who’s manipulated him. You preyed on an innocent, traumatised young man.” I turned back to face Rhys. “You’re a good lad, Rhys. I know you’ve been through a lot, and I know I played a big part in that. But you don”t want to get caught up in something like this. You’ve got your whole life ahead of you.”
Steph strode forward, the knife still in her hand. “Shut your face right now, or I’ll be paying a little visit to Teigan, and it won’t be to give her food.”
I instantly fell silent, the evil glint in her eye telling me that she meant it. How had she hidden all this hate from me? She fumed with hatred. Anger. A desperation for revenge.
“Nah, leave Teig alone,” came Rhys’ voice, a little shaky but clear. “I didn’t sign up for any kids getting killed.”
Hope burst within me — Rhys had found his courage.
“You do what you’re told.,” Steph glared at him, then waved the knife in my direction. “Don’t forget she’s the reason your brother is dead.”
“I’m also the reason your sister is back safe with her foster parents,” I blurted out as my hands pleaded my innocence. “She went missing for a few days after she saw you, Rhys. But I found her and brought her home. I saw her this morning, and she’s doing well. She’s even applying for college.
Rhys’ eyes widened in surprise. “Seriously?”
“She wants to be a nurse.” I rushed to keep his attention. “She’s come through and done so well, Rhys. You can do the same.”
“Right, enough of the motivational speeches, Suze, or I’ll get a tea towel and gag you.” Steph took a step towards Rhys. “I’ll have to dock some of your money if you keep on like this.”
Rhys turned towards Steph, his fists curled and his face darkened. “Keep your fucking money,” he snarled.
In an instant, he lunged towards her, grabbed her arm in his and wrenched the knife from her grasp.
“Get off me!” she shrieked, but even with her lanky frame, Rhys was by far the stronger of the two. He twisted her arm behind her back and held the knife to her throat. Despite everything, all that she had done, a jolt of panic bolted through me.
“Rhys.” I stepped cautiously towards them. “Be careful.”
“Open that door,” he gestured with his head. I hurried to unlatch it. It was a storage cupboard, full of old lamps and light bulbs, black sacks and boxes. As I flung it open, I noticed a bolt on the outside of it. Just a simple one to pull across, but that lock was now the key to our escape.
“Let me go, you little shit,” Steph was shrieking as Rhys pushed her in and slammed the door behind her. He dropped the knife and leant against the door with his body weight as I fumbled with the bolt, locking my sister inside. Her muffled shouts were still coming through the door, as well as the thumps and bangs as she hurled herself against it. She sounded like a crazed animal.
I stared at Rhys for a moment, overwhelmed by his bravery. “Thank you,” I said, my hand on my heart. I threw my arms around him and held him tight, his initial awkward stiffness softened into the embrace.
“Uh,” he stuttered as we broke apart. “No worries.”
“Do you know where Teigan is?”
He nodded. “You got a car?”