8
Justin and Mackenzie walked out of prison free at last. They knew very little of Ashleigh and Phoenix’s relationship, but enough to put a stop to it.
Kieran and Kelley waited by the clearing. Justin and Mackenzie walked over to them. ‘Mackenzie.’
‘I told you before call me Ice.’
‘Sorry Ice. So they finally let you out?’
‘Yeah.’ He looked at Kelley, he leaned forward kissing her. Nice to see you again.’
‘You to Ice.’
‘You better be looking after her.’
‘I am.’
‘Oh yeah before I forget guys this is my bro Justin, better known as Sandman.’
They looked at the male standing there with shaven hair. Speechless.
‘What? What’s wrong?’
‘He looks just like you.’
‘Who?’
‘Phoenix.’
‘Phoenix who?’
‘Johnson, well that’s what he calls himself.’
‘Your mom’s had a freak when I turned up.’
‘She’s been having one for the past two years. Mom hasn’t seen Ashleigh once in that time. Phoenix doesn’t let her leave, unless they’re together. They go to college and are gone as soon as the day is over.’
‘I asked you to look after her.’
‘I tried he threatened me. He said he’d kill me if I interfered, don’t say anything Ash doesn’t know.’
‘I’ve seen the pain he’s caused her she’s weak. I’ve seen how many he has killed.’
‘Where are they?’
‘Follow us.’
They followed Kieran and Kelley through the sheltered road down to the hut where Ashleigh, Phoenix, and his friends were.
Ashleigh looked up, so did Phoenix. ‘Dad.’
They looked at one another questionly.
‘So you changed your name?’
‘Yeah and!’
‘Don’t come cocky with me Phoenix you had my last name.’
‘I didn’t want people thinking I was the same as you.’
‘You’re worse from what I’ve heard.’
Phoenix looked at Kieran. ‘I’ll fucking kill you!’
‘Leave him out of this he only cares, you seem to care very little about anyone.’
‘And what you done to Mom was fair?’
‘No, but that’s different.’
‘How?’
‘It just is. I served my time.’
Ashleigh stood shocked silent. Not knowing what to say.
‘What’s wrong Ash cat got your tongue!’ Ice said smiling.
‘What are you doing here Dad? I thought you were inside.’
‘Doesn’t time fly when you’re having fun!’ he smiled laughing.
Phoenix looked at Ashleigh. ‘You said you didn’t know your Dad.’
‘So did you.’
‘I had my reasons.’
‘So did I.’
‘I never asked for your last name.’
‘Little late for that isn’t it?’
‘Well!’
‘Summers.’
Sandman’s face dropped.
‘Why did you never say?’
‘You never asked.’
‘No wonder they kept them apart.’
They looked at Justin and Mackenzie.
‘What you talking about Dad?’
‘Are you going to tell them or shall I?’
‘Go ahead.’
‘Well it’s not complicated really. But the both of your mom’s had you when we got sent down. We saw you till you were four that’s when they decided to split you up. They thought it was a bad idea to keep you together. I see that didn’t work.’
‘What.’
Phoenix looked at Justin. ‘Dad?’
‘Your girlfriend well just say she is you cousin. Her dad my brother your auntie her mother.’
‘And when were they going to tell us?’
‘Never. They thought it was best not to. If you never met you’d never know.’
‘Candice will flip.’
‘She never said anything.’
‘She wouldn’t. She hasn’t seen Phoenix since you were four, now he’s grown up just like you.’
Ashleigh looked at Phoenix, then at Justin. ‘Shit no fucking way.’
‘What?’
‘You two you look alike.’
‘Well that’s two in one day, must be lucky.’ He smiled.
‘I can’t deal with this.’ She said walking away.
‘Where are you going?’ he said grabbing Ashleigh.
‘I need to be alone.’ She said pulling away from him.
‘Ash!’
‘I’ll go after her. You stay here.’ Ice demanded.
Mackenzie jogged away. ‘Ashleigh! Ashleigh!’
She sat under the Oak tree tears forming in her eyes.
‘There you are.’ Mackenzie said kneeling down.
‘Why Dad? Why was I never told?’
‘Like I said your mom thought it was best.’ He placed his hands on her face. ‘You’re a bright girl Ash you could’ve chose anyone why him?’
‘I didn’t know who he was. He seemed so nice.’
‘We all cover what’s inside.’
‘How long have you known?’
‘I knew Justin had a kid, but I didn’t expect it to be him. I asked Kelley to take care of you. He’s mental Justin said so.’
She looked at Mackenzie puffy eyed. She knew exactly how Phoenix was she been at the end of it many times, he’d tortured her for the two years that they had been together so she’d do things she would never dream of doing.
‘Come on Ash.’ He said taking her hands pulling her up.
Her sleeves slipped down her arms revealing all of her scars. She stood next to Mackenzie. ‘What are these?’
‘Nothing Dad.’
‘Ash!’ he said frowning.’
She looked at him solemnly.
‘What’s he done to you?’
‘They’re just a few cuts.’
‘You call these just a few cuts?’
‘I love him.’
‘How can you? Look at what he’s done to you.’
‘It’s for my own good.’
‘Tell me how exactly this is for your own good?’ He said angrily.
‘To make me stronger.’
‘I’ll give him to make you fucking stronger. I’ll fucking kill him!’
‘Don’t Dad he’ll leave me.’
‘You’re better off without him.’
‘I’m not.’
‘Ash you’re not like me I know that, but he’s more like Justin then I ever imagined. Stick up to him he can’t treat you like this.’
Mackenzie draped his arms round her, she placed hers round him. ‘You’re still my little girl Ash. I don’t want to see any one hurt you.’
He pulled away. ‘Come on lets go.’
She smiled dropping her arms from round him and they walked away.
Phoenix smiled thinking he’d won.
Mackenzie went for him.
‘Don’t Dad!’
Mackenzie grabbed Phoenix by the scruff of his neck, pushing him up against the hut. ‘If you ever hurt my daughter again I’ll fucking kill you!’
‘I’m not scared of you.’
Mackenzie looked blank, angered at Phoenix.
‘Loose him bro.’
Mackenzie grabbed Ashleigh’s arm revealing all of her cuts. ‘For this never!’
‘They’re a few cuts Ice.’
‘What he inflicted.’
‘They were probably messing around.’
‘I’ll fucking kill him.’
‘Calm down Ice.’
‘CALM! FUCKING CALM!’
‘Loose him Ice.’
Mackenzie loosed Phoenix. His fist shot across the air. Ashleigh screamed.
It hit Phoenix’s face. It shot to the left.
‘If I find you’ve done anything else to my daughter I’ll kill you!’
‘Come on Ice.’ Justin said pulling him away.
He looked back at Ashleigh, then Phoenix. ‘Watch your back.’
He turned. Mackenzie and Justin walked away.
Phoenix watched them till he could no longer see them.
He grabbed Ashleigh pulling her into the hut slamming the door shut.
‘What’s wrong Phoenix?’
‘Pain I’ll show him fucking pain.’ He looked at Ashleigh. ‘I’ll show you fucking pain too for ever involving them.’
‘I didn’t know they were out.’
‘Well you’re going to pay for your brother’s mistake.’
‘NO!’
He pulled her into the bedroom, pushing her up against the door. His hand round her throat. ‘I love you Ash. Why do you always have to disappoint me?’
‘I’m sorry.’ She said. Her eyes tearful.
He placed his lips on hers kissing her. He kissed her hungrily slipping his tongue in. Her lips trembling as he kissed her harder.
He loosed her throat leaving his finger marks upon it. He took her hand leading her over to the bed, he pulled her down tying her wrists to the bed looking at her evilly.
‘What are you going to do to me?’ she said struggling.
He pulled out two knifes. ‘A Jesus.’
‘NO!’ She screamed struggling to get free.
He slashed her. He screams echoed through the open window. Kieran shot forward. So did Kelley. Coeb grabbed Kelley, Kelt and Sab grabbed Kieran. ‘Leave them.’
‘She’s my sister.’
‘Leave them!’
Kelley looked at Kieran. ‘Why didn’t you tell me about the cuts? Why didn’t you stop him?’
‘I tried.’
‘You didn’t try hard enough.’
‘Let me pass Kelt, Sab.’ Kieran said looking at them both in turn.
‘No.’
Phoenix dropped the knives. Placing his lips on hers slipping inside her making love to her.
He pulled away. She closed her eyes.
Ashleigh woke with Phoenix half lying over her. She moved her arms they were free. She had to get out of there before he woke.
She slipped from underneath him, tiptoeing silently out of the room, and across the living area, slipping out of the hut closing the door behind her.
Phoenix woke. ‘Ash!’ He sprung to his feet, springing out of the room pushing all of the doors open. ‘Ash where are you?’
‘Phe what’s wrong?’
‘Where’s Ash?’
‘I don’t know.’
Phoenix grabbed Kieran round his throat. ‘If I find out you’re lying. I’ll kill you.’
‘I’m not.’
Phoenix loosed Kieran’s throat. ‘Tell the others what’s happened. I’m going to find her.’
‘Sure.’