STOP PRETENDING

Chapter eight

For the past hour, we've been rushing to every bank to get the money we needed. Though, Harry was on my mind again. Was he alright? Was he hurt?
I wanted to hear his voice so badly, that it hurt even thinking about him.
I guess that's what mums do. They worry for the sake of their children. Unlike Art, though. Said a little voice in my head. And then all of a sudden, Johnny's word came back to mind, 'we'll get him back'.
That made me feel better at least...more stronger as a person somehow.
"Is that it? Have we got all of it?" That was mum. We were all gathered around outside Lloyds bank. All of us had worried expressions in our faces, constantly checking and re-checking at the double on whether we skipped a £20 note or not like we were some mad people.
"No." Johnny said. "Apparently, we only need another £800 or so until we meet our budget." Dad sighed and got back into the car. He quickly switched on the car engine.
"Dad, where are you going at a time like this?" I asked.
"You want Harry back, don't you?" He replied
Yes, but —"
"Then I insist on taking you guys home and let me deal with the rest." He interrupted.
"But dad, —"
"End of discussion. Now get in." He interrupted me again. What choice did we have? Dad had clearly won the argument even though he hated hearing excuses from either of us. Well, he is my dad after all. And Johnny's as well.
"He's right, Siobhan." Johnny added. "Dads the best option to help getting this hell-hole sorted. And, you and I both know that anything and anyone can get passed dad."
I literally didn't know what to say to that.
"Let your father handle it, darling. Okay?"
I simply had to agree in the end.

Unfortunately, dad had no such luck. So he had to let mum deal with the money from her bank account in America as soon as he arrived home.
All four of us sat at the kitchen table, having to deal with the wait until we had the money in our hands was...well...hell! Again, mum spent another agonising hour on the phone to her bank in the States - where she used to live before when she was born - then the rest of the afternoon with dad, sorting out the international wire transfer at an office in Nottingham. Mum returned looking utterly exhausted, having to fill out a multiple of forms, giving out a lot of complaints about repeating her password over and over again and sign in triplicate for the cash. Half the day was gone already, like everything that had happened today happened in a 'click'.
Finally, it was done! We had the five grand. I checked the time. Almost 6pm. I sighed, letting the stress out of me.
When will 'code X' text back again?

I waited for a few minutes. Then counted another thirty seconds in my head.
Suddenly, my phone buzzed. My heart skipped a beat. Could this be it? I wasn't sure.
Without hesitating, I read the text. It was from him.
'I can see u got the money. If u want your son ALIVE, then I suggest u follow these instructions that will be sent to u in 1hr!'
In one hour? Now my hopes were suddenly dropping.
"What did they say?" Said Johnny, out of the blue. Ignoring his question, I grabbed my car keys and left the house.

I didn't know what I was doing I just didn't. But in my head, I wanted answers from Art. I couldn't really care less on what Art might do to me if he had no choice but to keep me quiet. All I wanted was the truth. I got into my car and drove back home.
To be honest, when I was heavily pregnant with Harry, I thought that I moving in with Art would be a joy. But it felt like a prison.
After an hour or so, I finally arrived home. I quickly snatched my house keys and got out of the car, locked it and jammed the key through the key hole and unlocked the door.
"Art?" I shouted. No response. I called out his name again.
Nothing. Where the hell was he?
Finally, I heard the back garden door slam shut. And without realising my presence as he appeared through the hallway, our eyes met.
"Siobhan?" He said, shocked. "How come...I thought you were at your folks' place?"
"I am." I said. "I only came back to see you."
"See me? Why ever for?" He confused.
For God's sake!
"Don't give me that look!" I snapped. "Just tell me the truth, Art!"
"What're talking about?"
"Oh, you know exactly what I'm on about." I said, sarcastically. "Are you the man who abducted our son?"
Silence fill the are between us. Yes. I had him.
"It's time to own up, Art."
"I don't know what you're —"
"Yes you do!" I interrupted. Before I could say anything else, art ran up the stairs. Coward. Why the hell was he going upstairs for? "Art!"
Suddenly hearing Art from upstairs, he let out a laugh. I frowned. What was he laughing about? Curious, I went up myself. I found Art in our bedroom. I went in.
As I came into the room, I gasped straight away - taking a quick glimpse of what was shining in his hand.
He was holding a gun.
"Wh...where did you get that? Art why are you carrying a gun? —" I tailed off. Ignoring my questions, Art turned around to face me.
"Well, well, Siobhan. It looks like...you fell for it."
"What? Fell for what exactly?" I said, feeling more scared than ever.
"I should of done this ages ago." He went on.
"What? Do what ages ago?"
Silence. And then he blurted it out.
"Killing Harry from the day he was born." He said at last. My eyes widened.
"There is still a bullet inside this gun of mine, Siobhan." Art went on.
"No." My voice came out of a hoarse whisper.
Feeling even more terrified, I rushed downstairs towards the front door.
I was hoping he wouldn't follow me downstairs, but as I glanced over my shoulder, I couldn't see him. I sighed with relief and opened the front door, slamming it behind me.
Seconds later, I was in my car. Fumbling for my seatbelt with shaking hands, it finally clicked. I quickly turned on the car engine and drove off, not looking back of what was left behind me. This so-called nightmare was already turning into a reality. And as soon as I got home, I didn't even dare say anything of what I had just witnessed to anyone.