Backwards Into Hell

Part Two: The LFG

Jake's Diary

Friday 29th October

That evening, upon finding David's room empty, I took a walk in the garden, half-hoping to find someone else without having to disturb them in their rooms.

David wouldn't have approved of anyone venturing outside—Darren could be anywhere—but I needed time away. I needed to think.

Besides, I was sure Darren would be holed-up somewhere in Castlebay so there was no need to worry.

I stood near the boundary of the garden that gazed out to the sea, absent-mindedly peeling the bark from a tree when Lottie appeared beside me. It was clear she wasn't herself. Her grey hair was messy, unbrushed in a way I hadn't seen before, and saggy bags grew under her tight eyes.

I was the first to speak. 'Are you alright?'

Stupid question.

Lottie wasn't listening to me. She wasn't even looking at me. Instead, her eyes, wide like a deer in headlights, stared deep into the tree boundary.

Who is that?

I followed her gaze and what I saw wasn't a surprise. The (now-not-so-old) Old Man stood between two trees, bathing in their shadow. He gave us a little wave and turned into the forest.

I say it was a forest. Really, it was a tiny, dense area of trees no more than a few hundred feet that backed onto the bay. Still, it was big enough to hide in.

Lottie rushed toward him.

'Wait!' I grabbed her sleeve, almost ripping her cardigan off as she pulled against me. 'He could be dangerous.'

Lottie gave a sudden tug and freed herself. She was like an animal, hypnotised.

She darted away but, mercifully, didn't get very far because he disappeared a few metres into the trees.

Lottie stopped, flicking her eyes, and I walked to her, just seconds away from the cliff's edge. It was a steep drop into the water, and if I wanted to, I could end it here, now, except something nagged at me.

Why was Lottie here?

What was her great crime?

'Don't try and find him,' I said, realising she was shaking like an old dog.

'Who was that?' Her eyes remained fixed on the tree line.

'I don't know.'

Why would The Old Man have shown up like that? Had he not expected Lottie to be there, or was he trying to create further chaos?

Suddenly, Lottie's face brightened.

'Do you think they're back? All the people?'

I sighed. 'I doubt it. It's more likely he's been with us the whole time.'

'We should tell the others, at least,' she tried. 'They'll be down for dinner soon.'

I nodded, and we moved back up the garden path in silence.

As we walked, I listened to the grass crunch and wished Rachel and I had had a better garden at home. We'd tried to find somewhere with a big outdoor space, but with our starting salaries, we could barely afford a flat with a tiny balcony.

Regardless, Rachel had made it our own. She put out plants, ornaments, and even some fake grass—our miniature garden.

'It'll do,' she'd say. 'Until we can get a cottage in the woods.'

I'd laugh at that, but she was deadly serious. A quiet, easy place away from humanity was all Rachel had ever wanted.

'Like something out of The Hobbit,' I'd say.

Then she would laugh too.

Instead of tramping inside, Lottie and I slowed up, finally settling on the white bench not far from the bushes where I'd stuffed Harriet's body.

All of that seemed such a long time ago now.

I sat first, and Lottie hobbled toward me. She hadn't been particularly limber to start with, and recent events had taken their toll. She breathed hard, groaning as she reached the bench.

'There must be others out there,' she said. 'We never explored properly.'

'I hope so.'

I knew there wasn't. No one else was on the list.

'We should try and find that man again.' She clasped her old hands together. 'Oh, I bet there's a whole group of them out there just waiting for us.'

This couldn't happen. I needed her in The Lodge.

'We'd better deal with Darren first.'

'Oh, right.'

Silence settled in as the birds chirped, and Lottie's mind began to wander. She thought about The Old Man first, then Abe, and, finally, about her daughter.

Nothing.

No crime to ascribe her with.

'So, what will you do when you get home?' Lottie shifted on the bench.

'I haven't really thought about it.'

Although I had, I was busy planning out a daydream life for me, Rachel, and Lily.

'I'll move closer to Jane—my daughter. I always felt bad, moving out of London and leaving her alone, and now,' her throat caught, 'there isn't anyone to stop me.'

Knowing I had to, I pulled Lottie into a soft hug as the sun fell into the horizon.

She didn't need to worry, I wanted to say. She'd be with Abe soon.

But why?

Why was she on my list?