Читать книгу Watch Me - Angela Clarke, Angela Clarke - Страница 10

His bike sped through the wood, jumping the tree roots which pushed through the muddy ground like bony fingers. His brother’s bike light, lower and slower, turned birch trees into streaks of white in the dark. The wind whipped back from him. He was flying. Fifteen minutes till curfew.

A flash of orange caught his eye. Treasure. He skidded to a halt as the path gave way to a grass clearing, grey in the gloom.

His brother shouted behind him. ‘We’re late!’ Nose and cheeks pink from the cold, he didn’t want to get in trouble. ‘Whose bag is that?’

‘Dunno.’ He kicked at the handbag with his toe. ‘Looks like a girl’s.’ There were folders and books in the top. He laughed, teasing, ‘Maybe she’s shagging someone!’

‘Gross!’ His brother’s small face screwed up.

‘Let’s take it for Mum.’ He knew he’d freak. Stealing was naughty.

There was no squeal. His brother didn’t answer. He looked up at him, he was pale. Eyes wide saucers. Mouth like a goldfish.

‘What?’

He gulped as he pointed behind them. His arms shaking. Turning was like watching a replay on his computer game. Slow mo. Behind them, five, maybe six big steps away was a girl. Lying down. Curled up. His ears went weird. Like whistling. Her forehead was on the grass, face turned towards them. She had pretty yellow hair. It was cold out there. He stepped towards her.

His brother whimpered – ‘No!’ – his voice whiney. He made a sound like their cat did when it had a fur ball.

He took another step. Her eyes were open. They were black like a doll’s. He jumped. Thought he might pee himself. Gripped his trousers. ‘She’s dead.’

‘I want Mummy,’ his brother cried.

‘She’s dead.’ He stumbled back, treading on his toes. Fell over his bicycle. This was real. He had to protect his brother. He was the eldest. He grabbed for him and the bike. ‘Go. Get going!’ Tears burned his eyes. He wanted Mum. He wanted Dad. Scrambling, he pulled his own bike up. The metal was ice in his hands. ‘Go!’ he shouted as they pedalled. Faster. Faster. Looking back he saw her lying in the moonlight. Her dead black eyes watching them.