The Cold Nowhere

7

‘Don’t make me.’

‘You’re safe, Cat. You’re with me. You trust me, remember? Tell me what you heard that night.’

‘I didn’t hear anything.’

‘Cat, that isn’t true, is it? You were there. You can’t be free of the pain until you remember.’

‘There’s nothing. It’s blank. It’s always been blank.’

‘Your mother.’

‘No.’

‘Your mother.’

‘No, please.’

‘Relax, Cat. It’s safe. I’m here. No one can hurt you. When you wake up, you’ll be at peace. Now tell me about your mother.’

‘Scr-screaming. She was screaming.’

‘Screaming what?’

‘STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP STOP No no no no no no.’

‘More, Cat.’

‘No no no no … oh God … oh God …’

‘What else did your mother say?’

‘Please … I’m dying … I’m dying …’

‘Your father was there, too. What did he say to her?’

‘Vincent, no. Don’t make me.’

‘Your father, Cat. What did he say? You have to trust me. You have to do this to be free of the past.’

‘He … he said …’

‘Tell me.’

‘I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you I’ll kill you.’

‘Good. Tell me more.’

‘You fucking bitch, this is what you deserve! You cheating whore!’

‘Go on, Cat. What happened next?’

‘Silence.’

‘I don’t understand. Is it over?’

‘Silence.’

‘What’s happening, Cat? You’re still under the porch. What do you hear?’

‘Footsteps.’

‘Footsteps? Whose footsteps?’

‘Where’s the girl?’

‘What? Who’s talking?’

‘Where’s the girl?’

‘I don’t understand. Tell me what’s going on, Cat.’

‘Where’s the girl?’

‘Cat? Come back to me, Cat.’

‘I’ll protect you. It’s okay. I’ll protect you.’

‘Who’s talking, Cat?’

‘I’ll protect you.’

‘Cat? What’s happening? You’re safe. Trust me, Cat, it’s Vincent. Talk to me.’

‘BANG.’

‘What’s going on, Cat?’

‘Oh, no, no, no. He’s dead. They’re both dead. Oh, God.’

‘Your father?’

‘He killed him.’

‘What? Who?’

‘Sirens.’

‘Talk to me, Cat.’

‘I’ll protect you.’

‘Everything’s okay. What’s my name, Cat?’

‘Come out, it’s okay.’

‘My name, Cat. Who am I?’

‘Stride. My name is Stride.’