I release a long exhale. Tears well in my eyes just as I see tears brim in Cruise’s. “You get the knife and car keys, and I’ll write the note.”
I sneak towards the office. Slowly, I turn the handle and push open the door. Flicking the light switch on, I rush towards my desk. I pull out the printer tray and remove an A4 sheet of paper before grabbing a pen.
Max, John is involved in Morgan’s disappearance. Get my kids out of that fucking house and keep them safe. You’re the only person I trust.
Now, I need you to trust me. Shirley is not involved. She didn’t know. I know where Morgan is, she’s in a cabin John owns at Corbet’s Landing. I’m bringing my wife home.
Reid.
I pull four long strands of tape from the tape dispenser on the desk and stick them to my finger. I turn off the light and hurry down the hallway until I’ve reached the closed front door where Cruise stands, holding a long carving knife in his hand as he shifts from foot to foot.
“Are you sure this is the right thing to do?” he whispers.
I nod.
“Okay.”
I tape the note a little higher than my line of sight knowing that the moment I start Ronald’s four-wheel drive, and blow the horn, Max will wake and realise I’m gone. He’s been a light sleeper every time his eyes have closed since he’s been here. I predict he’ll bolt to the front door to chase us, and hopefully, he’ll see the note. It’s what I need to believe will happen.
I flick my hand towards Cruise, indicating it’s time for us to leave. Cruise’s Adam’s apple bounces in his throat in response.
I swallow hard as I quickly spy the clock hung on the kitchen wall. 4:50 a.m. I know I’m not thinking clearly, but this is what my instinct is screaming for me to do. I need to run. Run until I find Morgan. She needs me. She’s not dead. Shirley mustn’t have heard John right.
“Give me the knife,” I whisper the moment I gently close the front door to the house. “Get into the car. I’ve got this.”
I stop. I take a deep breath, then draw my hand back with the knife held tightly in my grip. “I’m sorry, Max,” I say as I plunge the blade into the back tyre of his police car.
Hissssssss, hisssssss.
I slash all four tyres in minutes. I run towards the open driver’s door of Ronald’s car. There’s no turning back now.
I need to know if Morgan is alive, and this is the only way. Now I just have to hope the screeching tyres, and the long blow of the horn, are enough to have Max jumping out of the lounge, or even the complete neighbourhood rising. I need someone to see that note—to safeguard my children.
Morgan
My eyelids flutter open before they close again. I’m drifting in and out of consciousness. I can no longer feel the rain. Has it stopped or am I just numb to the sensation? I can’t decide so I force my eyes to open before turning them left, then right. I can hear every shallow breath I take, but not the rain.
I made it through the storm. Now I just need to get up.
Get up, Morgan. Get up, my mind screams.
I moan. But I can’t manage to move.
“Help.” There’s no sound.
Get up, Morgan.
I can’t.
My eyelids flutter and then, as they close, I moan once more.
“Mummy, mummy, where are you?” Aleeha’s sweet voice calls me, and as a ray of light fills the staircase, the staircase inside my dream house, I smile. I’m home. I won. I found my way back to my family.
“I’m coming, baby.” It’s my voice. It’s intense, but relaxed.
Each step I climb has my heart galloping with excitement. I’ve missed my daughter. I’ve missed her so much.
My hand is on Aleeha’s bedroom door handle. I can feel a pulse in my fingertips as I push the door open.
Aleeha sits on the ground. Her blue eyes shoot to mine as she gifts me the same smile she does first thing every morning. “Mummy,” she screeches, leaping from the carpet beneath her. “You’re home. Brax, Brax, Mummy’s home. She’s home.”
An aura of peace fills her room at the same time as warmth hugs my heart. Aleeha bounds into my arms and as I embrace her tight against my body, I whimper. Her hair smells like strawberries. I’ve missed the smell of her detangling spray. “I missed you, baby girl.”
Her head nestles into the space between my neck and my shoulder. I fought so hard for this moment. I never gave up. I couldn’t. I’m a mother, and mothers do everything it takes to find their way home to their children. They never say die until they have exhausted every possibility.
“Mum. Oh, Mummy.” The call of my name comes from behind me. Brax’s voice is music to my ears.
I jolt forward with the impact applied to my back. I didn’t get the chance to see Brax approach. Instead, I feel his long arms squeeze around my tummy so tight that I cry out my relief. “My babies. Oh, my babies.” Slowly, I kneel until I’m on the floor.
Two heads snuggle into me. Four arms wrap me up in a cocoon. Two hearts beat strongly against my chest.
“I thought I was never going to see you again, Mum,” Brax sobs.
“Of course, you were. Don’t be silly, buddy. You know I’d never leave you two behind.” I mess his hair before kissing the top of his head.
I hold my son and daughter for what feels like an eternity, too scared to let them go, and too happy to allow this moment to end.
“Morgan. Morgan...”
My head shoots upright. The voice of the man I’ve loved for many moons is calling for me.
“Reid.” My heart skips a beat.
“Baby. Baby...” There’s desperation in his tone.
Stomp, stomp, stomp, stomp.
His feet hit the wood of the staircase. I twist my head over my shoulder and wait. My chin quivers when he comes into view.
Blue eyes, much too beautiful not to be admired whenever in sight, connect with mine. My husband races towards me. He’s more handsome than I remembered. When he falls to his knees behind the children, the meadowsweet, woodruff smell of his cologne has me inhaling deeply.
“I love you.” His voice cracks as he folds his arms around the children and me, and I don’t know how they all manage to fit laid against me, but they do. Six arms are now wrapped around my body, and three hearts beat against my chest.
“I knew you’d come back. I knew it.” Reid tilts his head until his eyes gaze into mine. “Welcome home.”
His lips edge towards my own, and as they do, I close my eyes. His lips are as soft as pillows when they press to mine. They’re just as I remember them. He kisses me wildly, igniting a fire in my soul.
Fire.
Danger.
Bushland.
The wolf.
I need to run.
Run, Morgan. Get up.
My lips are left naked. Instant panic. My eyes spring open. Reid’s crying.
“I’m here. Don’t cry.” I’m trembling.
“Morgan. Please. Fight. Don’t leave us.” Reid’s arms reach for me as I feel a strong pull rip me away from him.
I blink.
The warmth and security that calmed me and protected me disappears as fast as my children do.
Detective West
A small wooden cabin comes into view. A soft patio light provides a visual of the front door and an old rusted table at its side.
“We’re going in,” Roland whispers through the radio. There’s no reply. Radio silence is maintained by all units as requested.
I point to the right, then to myself, then to the SERT team before circling my finger in the air. Each officer moves in the exact direction they should without me speaking a single word. I nod to Roland, who shifts to my blind spot to cover any threat, while the five remaining officers flank us.
One step in front of the other. Our feet make no sound. We’re trained to hunt predators and to deliver the element of surprise.
Three stairs leading to the patio, and a distance of about one metre stands between me and the front door. I flick my head to my right, place two fingers to my eyes, then point to three separate officers. Their mission: to stay at the bottom of the stairs with their rifles aimed at the door. They are my eyes on the ground, and they won’t hesitate to shoot if necessary. They waste no time in following my unspoken command.