ALANA'S MISTAKE ✔

Chapter 43

Elias looked at Alana and Snow as though the two of them ought to be excited.

'My father owned this place. Isn't it great? We practice here sometimes, the band. Amazing acoustics.'

They both stared at him blankly. He hadn't noticed Snow no longer had her lunch box, clearly he had other things on his mind.

'Yes,' nodded Alana. 'It's great.'

He looked pleased at that. I'll play along with his game, she thought, let him have his fun. God help him when she found a way out of this ... He led them to the middle of the space where there was a separate room lined all around with windows.

'Dad's office,' he said with pride in his voice. 

He kept his eye on them as they walked warily inside then he closed the door abruptly behind them. What Alana saw surprised her, and worried her, in equal amounts. It was much more cared for in here, with dark red decor and a large wooden table in the middle with three carved chairs around it.

'Dad always used to say he wished we could live in the factory with him, that way he could see us more. He was here all the time.'

He shrugged.

'They needed him here, I guess ... Couldn't get through the day without him.'

Snow looked up at her mum.

'Why are we here?'

'We're visiting Mummy's friend. That's all, you're with me darling.'

Snow scowled at Elias.

'I've never seen him before. Is he daddy's friend too?'

Elias flicked his head around at that.

'Whilst you're here you don't have a daddy, little sweet. Look, come and sit down on this sofa.'

What the hell?  Alana kept hold of Snow's hand. Elias flashed a look at Alana, as if to say - sit down - now. So, they did. They perched themselves on the edge of the small red sofa and he kneeled down before them.

'Even better than I'd imagined. A proper family.'

Alana wanted to throw up in his face but instead she gave a tight smile then scanned the room. There was one door and lots of windows all looking out into the empty machinery. She noticed a long wire hanging from the ceiling where a light would have once hung.

'Can I speak with you in private Elias?' said Alana, making her voice as even and pleasant as she could.

He looked at Alana, then back at Snow, then Alana again.

'Well I don't know about that. Whatever we have to say can be said altogether. I mean, we shouldn't have any secrets, right?'

He really does believe his own lies. She nodded.

'Just adult stuff, you know?'

She rose slowly to her knees and reassured Snow that she ought to stay on the sofa and wait for them quietly. She kept an eye on her as she and Elias walked to the side of the table where Snow was just out of earshot. As soon as they were there Elias reached out a hand towards her hair and stroked it. Her skin crawled as she fought back the urge to hit his hand away from her.

'I'm sorry we had to come here it's just , I needed to see you alone. When Snow is asleep you and I can have our time together.'

He leaned in towards her ear.

'I can do that thing you love so much. I can do it over and over and over.'

His face was full of desire. Alana hid her disgust carefully.

'I think we would all have a much nicer time over at the park. We could take a walk to the pond, feed the ducks. Snow loves that.'

He frowned.

'We need to stay here. No one else would understand. '

He reached into his jacket again, the same place he had shown her the knife.

'No, look,' said Alana. 'It's all right. Let's stay.'

'Good,' said Elias.

As he looked at her with a determined face she caught sight of something on the wall, just behind him. What was it? Photos ... They looked familiar. She peered at them and saw that it was her ... Photos of her ... And Snow ... The ones from her cupboard in her studio. He had pinned them to the wall and cut Noah out of the ones of the three of them. Creep.

'You're so much nicer than that friend of yours.'

She took in a breath.

'You mean Riley?'

'Yes,' he said. 'Her. Not only was she rude about this place, she wouldn't tell me anything I needed to know.'

'What did you need to know?'

He looked her directly in the eyes.

'About you of course. Why else would I spend time with her?'

Alana said nothing.

'But she isn't one for talking is she? She just wanted to climb into bed with me.'

He looked disgusted.

'Because I'm in a band. Elias Smith. Great reason to be with someone. You don't see me like that, do you?'

She pursed her lips and glanced towards her daughter, sat there looking fragile as a doll on that red sofa. She shook her head.

'No, I don't see you like that, Elias.'

'I saw how she treated you. Willing to do anything to have a night with me. Riley won't be any trouble to either of us any more.'

'How do you mean?'

A strange expression overtook his face.

'I mean I took care of her. She can't manipulate me, or you, any more.'

Alana wanted to scream out, drop to her knees, beg for her life, for the life of her child. But it wouldn't work. She scanned the room again for something, anything. She sensed the pen knife in her bra, tucked in tightly. The door was locked. There was no one around, not inside this building anyway. He led her back to the sofa, where she sat next to Snow and tried not to let her shaking hands show.

If you liked this chapter then please don't forget to vote! Also, your feedback is very welcome too, I always try to answer.