The cabin in High Wood

Chapter 16

Tommy stared at the cupboard door, he had to be in here... though how he didn't know. Checking his pocket he still had the key, it wasn't important now, he had to keep Hannah safe, the last of his family. Tommy gripped the handle tightly, then turned and pulled the door open. Hannah's uncle leapt at him, the knife missing his face by inches. They were both bowled over, the knife skidding across the wooden floor, Tommy rolled to his feet as the older man crashed to the ground clumsily. Tommy braced himself against the wall searching desperately for the knife.

"You little shit, I'm going to kill you" Hannah's uncle growled, stalking towards him.

Tommy couldn't compete with his strength and without Rob, he hardly stood a chance. Edging backwards his foot caught the knife, knocking it further from him. Hannah's uncle saw it and rushed him, realising the danger it would pose him. Tommy sidestepped the tackle sending him into the wall with a thud, plaster crumbling from the impact. Tommy grabbed the knife, holding it out at arm's length... what the fuck did he know about knife fighting? The big man got up once more, his eyes going wider once he spotted the knife.

"You even know how to use that?" He asked, chuckling a little.

"No, but you do don't you," Tommy said back, noticing the man moved on him without fear.

"Yep, carved up my brother a while back. Couldn't bring myself to kill the girl... she's a good kid."

"Why'd you kill him?" Tommy asked, the question he'd wanted to ask for years now.

"I was knocking off his wife, he was banging some other woman, had been for years and had a kid with her, big insurance money on him too. We decided to claim it" he replied, completely without regret.

"Really? You did that to Hannah for money?" Tommy shouted in disgust, waving the knife menacingly.

"Was gonna collect on her too, it's what her mom wanted... what can I say, there was something of a kindred spirit between us. Don't know what she sees in a deadbeat like you."

He removed his jacket, moving on him quickly. Tommy lunged at him, Hannah's uncle wrapped the jacket around his hand, pulling the knife away and unbalancing him. His face stung as he was punched, crashing to the floor and spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"You were never cut out for this boy" he heard from behind him, hands grabbing his neck.

He gasped for air as vice-like hands crushed his airway, thrashing around all he could think of was that he was Hannah's last hope. His lungs started to burn, the only sound he could hear was that of Hannah's uncle killing him. Suddenly the pressure relaxed, hot blood splashing his face. Looking up he saw Hannah's uncle turn round, there stood Hannah, bloody knife in her hand and tears running down her cheeks.

"No one will take him from me!" She screamed as her uncle collapsed to the ground, blood pooling beneath him.

Tommy coughed, painfully sucking air into his lungs. He stood and embraced Hannah, she winced as he held her. Looking down at her hand he saw why, she'd broken her thumb and skinned her hand badly to escape the handcuffs... she'd always been determined. Going back to the bathroom they found Trish unconscious, but alive, it looked like Hannah' Uncle had been hiding in the covered shower, choking Trish and getting Rob from behind after the door had been locked. The sink was a mess, the sheer desperation Han must have had was heartbreaking, blood covered the basin and pedestal, a trail leading to where she'd stood. It was a miracle she was alive, let alone standing. He patched her up as best he could, laying her down to rest on a couch before fetching Trish through. Light filtered through the large glass windows, almost as if it were a prize for somehow surviving the night. Going through his bag he took out his phone, laughing mirthlessly as he found it had a single bar of reception. He dialled nine one one.

"Hi, this is Tommy Jakobson, I want to report a series of murders..."

It was three hours before the first responders arrived, a pretty redhead detective and her partner interviewed him first as paramedics took away Hannah and Trish. Once the detectives left more police arrived, asking more questions. It turned out that Hannah's mother had been killed as well, perhaps before she'd left on the trip. Tommy hung his head, so much death, this was too much he thought as the final ambulance took him away.