After giving her warning at Grave Hall, Mandy led Ruin and Charity to a nearby bakery. She disappeared inside and returned a few minutes later with the promised delivery in hand. Silence accompanied the trio for the remainder of their walk to the doctor’s house. Charity’s nerves wound tighter and tighter with each step thanks to the equal parts of anticipation at possibly finding Tabby and the looming knowledge of what lay ahead after this visit.
Close to fifteen minutes later, Charity entered the well-tended front yard of a sprawling ranch style home, the flat roof doubling as a flourishing garden. Sitting among the pruned bushes off to the right was an updated rain collection system paired with an older cistern. To the left, beyond the storage area, the long blades of the wind turbine turned in slow, quiet circles providing power for the soft lights beginning to glow in the late afternoon.
It wasn’t the only home in the neighbourhood with signs of natural power. Other turbine blades rose like graceful herons between trees and flat, garden roofs. If Pebble Creek followed the same pattern of most rural communities, each home was served by similar set-ups for water and power. After the Collapse, rural areas turned to more natural sources for energy, learning to use what was at hand. Something the urban populations could benefit from. Out here no-one could afford to rely on the rare fossil fuels used in the cities, because delivery if it came at all, was spotty at best.
Mandy climbed the trio of stone steps, crossed the porch, and stopped with her hand on the doorknob, half turning to face Charity and Ruin as the bag from Crusty’s bounced against her hip. ‘Chances are Liza has the girls out back, in the yard. Ruin, you should stay inside.’
Charity’s heart winced at Mandy’s implication. No matter how much shit she saw, it made her sick to think of how much damage had been done that just the sight of a male would threaten these fragile souls.
At the foot of the steps, Ruin’s face darkened with grim understanding. ‘You sure my being inside won’t hurt things? I can always wait here.’
The fact he was in tune enough to ask that question snuck through Charity’s lingering resentment and softened the edges. At the door, Mandy worried her lower lip, taking the time to think it through. ‘Just stay at the table and try not to glare at anyone.’ Her comment got a small return smile. The doc turned back to the door and went inside, leaving them to follow.
Ruin waved a hand, letting Charity take the lead. Reigning in her nervous anticipation, she tried to steel herself for possible disappointment as she followed Mandy through a simple, but comfortable, living room and into a huge, light-drenched kitchen. An influx of light funnelled through the skylights and the wide entryway framing a deck leading to an expansive backyard. A refinished barn door hung next to the opening on a sliding system, making it easy to move the heavy door open or closed depending on what the inhabitants desired.
‘Liza, I’m home with visitors.’ Mandy bypassed the battered table with eight spindle-backed chairs, and headed to the counter and sink just to the side of the wide doorway.
‘We’re out back.’ When the woman who belonged to the voice stepped through the wide entryway, Charity was stunned by the young, dark-haired, delicate, and very much pregnant, Liza, who tucked a pair of garden gloves into her back pocket.
Charity came to a stop by the quietly humming refrigerator just on the inside of the kitchen. Ruin slipped around her and took a seat at the table, as far from the open doorway as possible.
Liza’s smile was open and real as she nodded at Ruin and Charity before wrapping Mandy in a hug. ‘Did you get my bread?’
Mandy returned the affectionate squeeze before stepping back. ‘Yep, Zane found me. I’m guessing it’s for Cody?’ She handed over the Crusty’s bag.
Liza took the bag and then bussed Mandy’s cheek. ‘Of course it is. He and Kyle love this stuff, and I promised them spaghetti and garlic bread.’ She turned and took the bag to the large centre island. There she opened a lower cabinet and brought out a basket. As she began splitting up the bread, she kept talking. ‘Besides, Cody’s been riding herd on Kyle for me for the last couple of days. I think that deserves a reward.’
Mandy propped a hip against the cabinets by the sink. ‘So long as you don’t overdo things.’
Liza laughed, and the pure sound of joy unexpectedly charmed Charity. ‘I’m fine, Mandy.’ She rubbed gentle circles over her extended belly. ‘Baby and I are doing just fine. Besides we have a couple months yet before my toes disappear.’ She leant against the counter’s edge and watched Ruin settle in at the table. ‘Ruin, right?’
‘Yes, ma’am.’ Since Liza managed to rile Charity’s protective streak, she was unsurprised by Ruin’s switch from snarly and gruff to gentle and charming.
Liza’s lips twitched. ‘Ma’am is for those much, much older than me. It’s just Liza.’ Her gaze drifted to Charity. ‘You must be new.’
‘I am,’ Charity said, stepping forward and extending her hand to the young woman. ‘I’m a friend of Boden’s.’
Liza grasped her hand in a firm grip as her mouth fell open comically as she gave a dramatic gasp. ‘Boden has friends?’
Charity laughed, then raised a finger to her lips. ‘Shh, don’t go telling anyone.’
Mandy touched Liza on the shoulder even as her attention shifted to the backyard. ‘Are the kids outside?’
The bright humour in Liza’s face dimmed as a sombre awareness set in. ‘They are. Laura spoke today, not much, but enough to give me some hope.’ She followed Mandy’s gaze. From her position by the refrigerator, Charity couldn’t see what or who they were watching. ‘The other two aren’t talking much and still refuse to give me their names.’ Liza rubbed her belly again and from the frown creasing her brow, Charity wondered if the action had become Liza’s comfort tool. ‘Our sleeping beauty is still dreaming.’
Mandy went to the open doorway leading outside and propped a shoulder against the frame. ‘We take our wins where we can, and today you got four of them outside. That definitely goes in the win column.’
Liza turned back to Charity. ‘Since Mandy dragged you home, I’m guessing you’re here to see the kids?’
Once again, Charity ran through her explanation, but unlike Mandy and Ruin, Liza barely batted an eyelash. Instead, there was no missing her spark of excitement. ‘Well, then, let’s head out and introduce you. Maybe we’ll be able to get one of these darlings back to their family.’ Liza grabbed Charity’s hand and all but dragged her out the door, completely oblivious to Charity’s internal turmoil.
They crossed the deck and headed into the yard. Well-established trees with foliage thick enough to provide a natural privacy barrier ringed the backyard. Plants in various colours exploded in a charming display of spring, and tucked in spots were sitting areas. One of which was half-hidden in shadows and currently held a young, dark-haired boy, standing guard over a brunette in a pretty, floral shift, her thin arms wrapped around drawn up knobby knees, her chin resting on top, her gaze focused on the two similarly dressed girls currently kneeling among the flowers.
Sunlight brushed familiar burnished copper curls of one of the girls and Charity’s heart lodged in her throat. For a moment tears pressed hot and hard, but she fought them back, trying to speak around the weight settling on her chest. Her first attempt came out in a puff of air that Liza ignored as she pulled Charity along. Only when they drew close did Liza finally slow, letting her go, and then called out softly, ‘Hey, kids.’
Four pairs of eyes turned towards them. It hurt to see the depth of fear and wariness painting their thin faces, but it was the one who paled and jerkily got to her feet that had Charity’s legs turning to water, until she slowly sank to her knees, unable to stand.
‘Aunt Char?’ It was barely a sound, but Charity heard it.
‘Tabby baby.’ It came out husky but audible. Tabby barrelled towards her as if flung forward and Charity caught her, holding the small, shaking body tight, her face pressed into the beloved copper curls. ‘Oh, Tabby love, we were so scared.’
‘I’m sorry,’ the little girl sobbed, her arms wound around Charity’s neck in a stranglehold.
Without letting her go, Charity shifted until she was sitting on the ground, Tabby cradled in her arms. ‘Nothing to be sorry about, baby girl.’
Tabby turned her head until her nose was buried next to Charity’s ear and whispered, ‘Mom’s going to kill me.’
Charity closed her eyes and concentrated on breathing through the massive ache in her chest. Setting her hands on either side of Tabby’s head, she carefully pulled the girl’s face up until she could see the girl’s green eyes. It was hard to see the shadows slip into what once shone with innocence. Charity brushed her thumb over an escaping tear and rested her forehead against Tabby’s. ‘Your mom may smother you with kisses, but she won’t kill you. She’s worried sick. We all were.’
Tears welled as Tabby burrowed back in, clinging like a monkey, her sobs rattling her entire frame. Charity sat there, arms tight, rocking the little girl and making nonsensical comforting noises all the while trying not to think about what Tabby endured. The storm of weeping slowly passed leaving Charity’s shirt damp with spent tears. Tabby lay in her arms, hands locked on Charity’s arms, her eyes and nose red. Focused on calming the shaking child, Charity was barely aware of Liza gathering the other children and leaving them alone. Tabby’s lingering sobs wracked her small frame and were heartbreakingly quiet as if she was afraid of being heard.
Rocking her among the flowers as the shadows grew around them, Charity waited until the emotional storm had passed. It took time, but she wasn’t about to rush Tabby. Besides, it gave Charity a chance to make her decisions, even as she compulsively traced the edges of the yellowing bruises marring Tabby’s arms, waiting to erase the marks of her abuse. Rage and heartache fought for dominance, drowning her initial relief.
The time for secrets was passed, and any doubts she harboured about the outcome of her upcoming phone call were shattered. She couldn’t shake the disquieting blankness shared between all four children when she first saw them. The stark evidence of what they endured triggered a visceral rage that could only be appeased when the ones behind it lay bleeding out and castrated at her feet.
At some point Ruin slipped onto a nearby bench, a move Charity caught even though Tabby remained oblivious. With the other kids in the house, the practical side of Charity understood why he was there, but the protective side wanted to snap at him to get the hell away. Perhaps it was best he was here now, where Tabby’s presence could temper his initial reactions to what he was about to learn. Dealing with the repercussions later didn’t faze Charity, but she didn’t want Tabby caught in the middle.
The sun was beginning to duck behind the horizon, and the small lights placed throughout the garden flickered to life when Tabby’s breathing finally slowed and evened out. Running a gentle hand through the soft curls, Charity pressed a kiss into the top of her head, then rested her cheek against the soft curls. ‘Tabby, baby, I need you to tell me what happened.’
Tabby stiffened, her arms tightening into a stranglehold. Charity continued her slow strokes and concentrated on keeping her breathing steady, silently encouraging her. When Tabby finally spoke her voice was barely there and shaky, but little by little she began to share.
Much like Charity suspected Tabby had fallen for the boy in need story. He introduced himself as Sean, new to town and lost. Tabby tried to be smart about it, agreeing only to walk to a nearby shop in search of an adult that could help direct him, thinking if they stayed out in the open nothing would happen. Not only did Sean have other ideas, but he wasn’t working alone. It didn’t take much for the two males to overpower Tabby, drug her, and then hit the road before anyone knew what had happened.
Tabby wasn’t sure how long she was out, but when she woke, she was in a cage with three other girls and a boy. At first, they were held in the basement of some building, but it wasn’t long before they were chained and gagged then locked in a box with air holes.
‘I fought them, Aunt Charity.’ A fierce pride underscored Tabby’s words. ‘I used the tricks you showed me, but—’ the pride faded and fear took its place, ‘—I couldn’t win.’
Closing her eyes at the emotional storm raging through the fragile body in her arms, Charity had to clear her throat before speaking. ‘Sometimes, sweetie, you fight not because you can win, but to let them know they won’t break you.’
Fingers curled into the back of Charity’s t-shirt, gripping tight. ‘It didn’t stop them.’
Fury evolved into icy resolve, and Charity fought to keep it out of her voice. ‘Tabby, I have to ask.’ How did she ask this beautiful child if she was raped? It made Charity’s stomach knot and heave, but she forced the rest out. ‘Did they hurt you?’
She wasn’t ready for Tabby to unwind her arms and push back until she was sitting in Charity’s lap, lifting her tear-stained face until they were facing each other. Tabby held her gaze as she solemnly shook her head. ‘Not me, not like that,’ she choked out, tears welling even as her chin firmed. ‘They beat the crap out of me, and the others. Like they were bored or something. But the night before we were found …’ Her slender shoulders hunched and her burst of bravery leaked away. Charity gathered her close fearing what was coming next.
Held tight against Charity, Tabby burrowed in and finished. ‘The night before they were drinking. An argument broke out between Sean and one of the others. Geezer, the old guy, complained about how they weren’t allowed any fun, but since no-one was here, it wasn’t like anyone would know. Sean warned him he’d know, so to stop being a dick.’ The fact that the normally reserved Tabby didn’t even flinch with the use of the crude word scraped over Charity. It was a subtle indicator of crushed innocence. ‘They fought while the others watched. I think they were making bets.’
Probably. Betting on who’d win and get dibs on the young girls wasn’t a stretch of the imagination because the Raiders were unconscionable assholes.
Unaware of Charity’s dark thoughts, Tabby kept going. ‘When Geezer was done with Sean he came after us. Katori, Katie, and me knew what was coming. We tried to protect the younger girls.’ The words began falling fast and furious as if she was afraid to stop. ‘Geezer opened the door and leant in. Katori, Katie and me went after him at the same time. It was hard cuz of the chains, but we couldn’t let him near the others. They knocked Katori out first, but Katie and me, we kept fighting.’
Renewed shudders started up and Charity whispered, ‘You did good, baby, trying to keep them safe. That was brave, so brave of you.’ Tabby turned her face against Charity. Over Tabby’s head Charity caught a glimpse of Ruin and got distracted by the gamut of emotions colouring his face. Against her chest, she felt Tabby say something, but couldn’t make it out. ‘What was that, sweetpea?’
‘I couldn’t save Katie.’ The aching pain in Tabby’s comment raked lasting wounds in Charity’s soul. Imagining what this child who held a special spot in her heart endured was killing her. Like lancing a festering wound, all of Tabby’s guilt came spilling out. ‘Geezer dragged her out. One of the others dragged me out. They m-m-made me watch while they … hu … hu—’
‘Enough, Tabby.’ It took considerable effort to keep her voice from breaking, but somehow Charity managed. No way would she make Tabby relive the nightmare that would follow her for years, neither could she let Tabby’s guilt fester. With utmost care she made Tabby sit up and meet her gaze. This was too important to dare any misunderstanding. Stealing her battered heart against the ravaged face, she kept her voice firm. ‘You fought. You kept the younger girls as safe as you could. You and Katori and Katie did your best against full grown men who were bigger and stronger than you. It is not your fault that they hurt Katie.’
‘But—’
‘No buts, Tabby.’ It sucked that this lesson had to be learned at all, much less now. Yet there was no way Charity could live with herself if she let the lingering touch of evil dim Tabby’s bright, brave spirit. ‘Even if you weren’t chained, can you honestly tell me you could take out Geezer?’ Tabby’s lips thinned in a mutinous line, and the flash of stubbornness gave Charity a measure of reassurance. Still, she didn’t relent. ‘What was the first thing I taught you about fighting those who are bigger and meaner?’
‘Fight dirty.’
She nodded. ‘What else did I tell you?’
Tabby’s hands fisted in her lap, but she begrudgingly answered, ‘You won’t always win, just make them hurt.’
‘Did you hurt them?’
‘Not enough.’
‘Sometimes you can’t ever hurt them enough.’
‘You could.’
Tabby’s obvious disillusionment made Charity want to rage. Time for some hard, cold truths. ‘Not in that situation. The best I could do in those same circumstances is exactly what you did. Cause enough hurt to make them reconsider how much pain they wanted to endure before they came at me.’
‘They didn’t hurt me!’ Charity wasn’t prepared for Tabby’s unbridled fury and barely managed to dodge a wildly flailing fist. It was as if the girl had locked everything away and Charity’s appearance smashed through the door holding the whole nightmare back. Child-size fists began to pummel her chest and shoulders. Tabby’s voice grew louder until she was screaming, ‘They didn’t hurt me. They hurt Katie. Nothing I did made them stop. Nothing!’
Charity bore the brunt of her anger, helpless to do anything but let the storm rage. If she could bring the Raiders back to life, she’d enjoy taking her time with them, skinning them inch by inch, until their vocal chords broke under their screams, the way her heart was breaking under Tabby’s. Finally, the blows slowed, then stopped. Tabby sat in Charity’s lap, hands lying in her lap, her face red and tear-stained, her eyes dull. ‘It should’ve been me.’
Arguing with the child would gain nothing because Tabby was in no shape to hear her, but Charity had to try. She cupped Tabby’s face in her hands, forcing the girl to meet her gaze. ‘Why?’ Tabby tried to look away, but Charity refused to let her. ‘Why do you think it should’ve been you?’
Long lashes drifted down, then rose, and deep under the emotional fallout was an ember of anger. ‘Because Geezer said so.’
Her answer didn’t make sense. ‘I don’t understand.’
Tabby covered Charity’s hands with her own, her ragged nails digging into Charity’s skin as she leant in and hissed, ‘Geezer said the best way to f-f-f-fuck with Lilith was to f-f-ffuck her daughter.’