Oakbrook - The Portal

Light my way

Light my way

Two years later, Susan still lived with Kate and Tom, and there had been no trace found of Sam. Kate and Jack had separated, but not divorced.

Susan, recovering after a nasty cold, sat at the kitchen table, picking her nose as she ate a bowl of cereal.

"That's disgusting!" Tom opened the fridge door to pour himself a glass of orange juice. He clutched a half-eaten piece of toast in one hand. "Mum, tell her."

Kate glared at him. Susan caught the look and removed the offending finger. "She knows." Kate said, waving Tom to sit at the table. "And you should know better. Both of you finish your breakfast, it's time to get to school."

With a chorus of nods, they both ate quickly and then raced up the stairs towards the bathroom, shoving each other as they climbed.

The sun was barely breaking the dark, long deep shadows cloaking the garden. All was grey, with not enough light for colour. The clocks would change at the weekend, and then it would be fully dark in the mornings. Kate leaned on the kitchen sink, watching the garden slowly emerge as night turned into day. She rubbed a hand over tired eyes, thankful that this was the last day of getting up early for school. Just for a week, it was only half-term after all, but the break from routine, and a chance to rest and relax would be welcome.

She turned, leaning her back on the sink, and smiled as she surveyed the mess that was her massive kitchen. It was probably her favourite room in the whole house. There was an outside store within about four steps of the back door, which was the only door they ever used. Past that was the garden.

The back door faced the old fireplace that would have held a proper black range once upon a time, but now simply held a platform for the solid fuel stove that had a back boiler for hot water. The modern Aga sat solidly at the heart of the kitchen, next to the sink. A stained, and grubby wooden door led to the staircase, a small hallway, barely used front door and the two other downstairs rooms. Kate's sanctuary was the smaller room, set up as a study and craft room. The living room, main wall lined with storage for books, toys, boardgames, was the larger room. The four junk cluttered bedrooms and bathroom were all upstairs.

She knelt to open the wood burner to poke the embers into bright flame. A couple of small logs sent sparks flying, and heat flooded into the room. Easing the hot door closed, she made sure it was secure before putting the metal fireguard back in place.

As she got back to her feet, a sudden flash caught her attention. Leaning on the sink, she stared into the garden.

The sun was almost fully risen, light filling the garden with Autumn colour as it poured through the trees at the far end. Kate barely stifled a gasp. Could it be? She gripped the cold edge of the sink, knuckles white. There, lying in the middle of the grass was a familiar figure. Even two years on Kate was gut achingly sure.

Flinging open the back door, Kate raced down the garden with a hastily grabbed blanket clutched in her hands. She skidded to a halt on her knees in the mud, as Sam managed to get to her hands and knees and raise her head. Her face was filthy under matted hair as she smiled up at Kate wrapping the blanket around her shoulders. She lifted a hand, twitched the hair from her eyes. One eye was almost swollen shut, crusted blood stained the corner of her mouth, and smeared across her cheek. Arms and shoulders too thin and covered in bruises, she struggled to get up. She was shivering and cold, wearing a thin tunic style top with short sleeves, belted at the waist. It hung over woollen leggings and her feet were bare.

Kate flung her arms around Sam's shoulders and hugged her tightly. Tears flowed freely down both sets of cheeks. Sam eased free, took Kate carefully by the shoulders and gently pushed her away.