Getting her hands on tranquillisers had not been as difficult as Lucy had thought it would be. You could buy anything on the dark web if you had enough money. It was the same place where people traded their services for money. Obtaining access to restricted records was one of the many services available if you were a trustworthy source of payment. The challenge was making sure it could not be traced back to you. But it was worth taking the chance for Anita. Lucy sat in front of her, having brought down a chair from the kitchen so they could spend time together. Not that Anita was aware, as she was gagged and bound in the chair, her blonde hair trailing down her face. Lucy stared, her head full of dreams for the future. She was smitten, and she could not bear to hurt the object of her affection.
She had not felt this strongly about someone before. Not really. And it was why she had gone to the extra effort to make everything just right. The cinnamon and orange scented candles filled the room with the smell of Christmas, and the sound of the dripping pipe was drowned by the gentle lull of Nat King Cole. She could not bear for anything to wipe the smile from her mother’s face.
Here was the one person who could fix her, make everything right. But Lucy was wary. She had to guard against the dark side of her nature: the side that relished power and control. Scarred by past experiences, she was unpredictable and angry, just as she had been all those years ago. The sexual high she derived in the aftermath of murder was proving to be an addictive drug.
Anita stirred in her chair, a low groan emitting from her parted lips. She was so close, Lucy thought, but she had been close before. And now their bodies were lying in a morgue. But she had taken care of that. There would be nothing to trace those disappointments back to her.
Everything hinged on Christmas. If she could get it right, perhaps she could be free, without the need for props. Maybe they could live abroad, she mused, somewhere snowy like Austria or Switzerland, where it could be Christmas all year around.
Lucy reached out to Anita, pushing her wispy blonde hair behind her ear. A frown crossed her face as she wondered if the gag was too tight.
Anita blinked, her head slowly rising in a drug-induced stupor. She carried the same confusion as the others, but her eyes were swimming with another emotion. Lucy leaned forward, peering into their depths. It was like looking into her own soul. Instead of terror, Lucy saw confusion, hurt and betrayal reflected back at her. Anita had come around twice now, each time gaining a little more recognition of her surroundings. But unlike the others, she did not cry out. Her chest rose and fell as she drew in panicked breaths, but her throat remained hollow, devoid of the screams that had led her predecessors to their deaths. And when Lucy told her of her plans she simply nodded and took it all in.
‘I’m going to untie your gag,’ Lucy said, her breath carrying a shudder of excitement. ‘But first, I need a hug.’
Leaning forward, she took Anita in an embrace, inhaling the fading scent of her perfume. Anita did not stiffen, but relaxed into her embrace, resting her head on Lucy’s shoulder. Lucy pulled back to see tears trickling down Anita’s soft pink cheeks. Little pearly drops of emotion melting into the dirty blue cloth bound around her mouth. A pang of guilt enveloped Lucy. Anita was far too good a person to be wearing such a filthy gag. Slowly, Lucy untied the knot; whispering a warning to Anita not to spoil things, because she did not wish to cause her pain. Anita took a breath as a gag was removed, licking her dirt-encrusted lips.
Lucy stiffened, closing her fingers around the material as she tried to read Anita’s expression. But Anita blinked, completely subservient as she waited for her to speak. Lucy’s heart swelled with the power and respect her new mother was affording her. ‘Please behave,’ Lucy said. ‘I don’t want to hurt you, but sometimes I get angry and I can’t control myself.’
‘I’ll behave.’ Anita’s voice sounded like marshmallows, and Lucy warmed inside.
‘Do it right and you’ll be freed. But everything has to be perfect. You’re my only chance,’ Lucy said; the words running out of her mouth before she had a chance to control them.
‘I’ll help you,’ Anita said, blinking against the strength of the bulb overhead. ‘I want us to be together too. But you have to help me in return. I need to know that Sophie’s safe.’
Darkness crossed Lucy’s face at the sound of the little girl’s name.
‘But remember, you’re my daughter too, and I’m here for you. You can trust me.’ Anita’s voice was so soft and warm that Lucy forgave her indiscretion.
‘She’s asleep in bed,’ Lucy said, pointing above their heads. ‘I made it nice, just like in her bedroom. She’s just fine.’
Anita nodded in understanding. ‘Thank you. And I want us to be together too. But I need you to do something for me so everything can be perfect between us.’
‘What do you want?’ Lucy said, her voice hardening. Anita’s gag had been removed for only a few seconds and already she was making demands. It twitched in Lucy’s fingers as she took a step back, distancing herself from the allure of Anita’s voice.
‘I need you to take Sophie back to my house, or leave her somewhere people can find her. None of this is her fault.’ She coughed as the words produced a scratchy sound. ‘She doesn’t need to get hurt. Do you understand?’
Lucy shook her head. ‘Time for you to be quiet now.’ She raised the gag, turning the slimy blue bandana so the dry side pressed against Anita’s face.
Anita’s shoulders slumped, her eyes glazing in resignation.
Lucy sighed, trying not to catch Anita’s hair as she carefully tied the knot at the back of her head. ‘I’ll think about it. But the next step – and Sophie’s life – depends on you.’