Backwards Into Hell

Part Two: The LFG

Abigail's Diary

Tuesday 26th October

Sally's hair was picture perfect as her eyes beamed at the camera with each word and her mouth was turned into a respectful frown. Ever since the disappearance, she'd been on-screen for at least an hour every day and I found I spent more time watching her than really listening.She was pretty, with flowing dark hair and a wodge of makeup, and was always in a crisp, blue dress.

Sally started yet another recap of the situation. She stood outside The Lodge, being blown side-wards by the wind as she huddled into the mic.

'The strange circumstances on this remote Scottish Island continue to stump police. Yesterday morning, every resident and member of staff in a local hotel—simply known as The Lodge—mysteriously vanished.

'The disappearance was first noted when a food supply truck arrived at the property. The driver, Sandra Willis, alerted the authorities.

'So far, there is no evidence of foul play, but the public has begun sharing its theories on the fate of the Barra Ten. All we know here, on U News, is that something extraordinary has happened on Barra.'

I ran my fingers over the kitchen counter as the news switched to the inside of The Commons—even the PM was facing questions about the disappearance.

There'd never even been a serious crime on The Island before. People there don't just go missing.

Through the French windows, the sun climbed higher in the sky, and I realised it was time to leave. I couldn't just sit there, moping around and watching telly while something unspeakable happened to my little boy. My Caleb.

My hands squeezed tight.

Don't think about it.

Mum had texted that morning. She knew Caleb's disappearance would have set me off again, the paranoia, the jealousy, the rage. But wasn't that normal?

David was only meant to have him for a few days.

As I glanced at my packed bag, David's voice rippled through my head because, just yesterday, we'd been arguing about the holiday.

'It'll be fine,' he'd said with his usual condescending tone.

Well, it hadn't been fine.

I just knew David was involved in the disappearance. It was a ploy, maybe, to keep Caleb for longer. As for whether David himself was safe? He could drown in a river of snakes for all I cared.

I'd be the one who'd shoved him in it.

But not Caleb. Not knowing where he was, with his little gold ringlets and beautiful blue eyes, was torture. David had taken my angel from me.

And I was going to get him back.

I'd spent last night going through the rumours online—people desperate to find out more about the Barra Ten. David's name wasn't public yet but I knew there was at least a baker, a uni student, and three members of staff. There'd been something about The Lodge being a front for money trafficking but I didn't buy it—even David would have been smart enough to avoid that.

Still, there had been an hour between the time the Delivery Driver had arrived at the scene and when they'd called the police, which helped fuel the theory's popularity. Why would some random driver take the time to investigate? She was refusing to interview too, and stayed a long way from the flash of the news cameras.

I had just finished my strong coffee and was about to go when a familiar voice came from the screen. I chucked the cup on the kitchen counter and ran my eyes over his face.

Simon.

'I'm here with a resident of Barra Island,' said Sally. 'Could you tell us a little about David?'

Simon's face was a deep red and he rubbed the back of his neck at the mention of David's name. Thanks to him, David's face would soon be in every newspaper—but what about Caleb?

'He's a friend of mine—he'd just come for a visit.' Simon began, and I zoned out.

Simon wasn't just a friend. He was the one David had left me for, and I'm guessing he was beginning to face up to the consequences of that because David—for all his good traits—had never been one for monogamy. Throughout our short-lived, vile marriage, he'd been with at least two others.

I felt bad for Simon in a way. He came across as a nice guy.

And don't get me wrong, I could put up with the long string of sexual partners—as long as it didn't hurt Caleb—but dumping everything and kidnapping my son? That was unforgivable.

'We were meant to meet up today,' Simon continued and I felt sick, so I grasped the remote shut off the TV. I'd made up my mind. There was already a small group of families camping on the grounds outside The Lodge, watching and waiting for news of their loved ones, and if I joined them, I would be there when Caleb returned. Then I could take him somewhere safe, somewhere as far away from David as humanly possible.

So I stood up, ignoring how the room swayed and my head pounded, and grabbed my bag.

I was going to Barra.