Don't Mean They're Not After You

Sandy grabbed a pair of scissors and set to work. Hanks of her hair fell haphazardly into the bathroom sink, and she dyed what was left an unremarkable brown.

I hardly recognise myself. Goodbye, highlights. Goodbye, messy bun.

The elf grinned at her in the mirror. She bared her teeth right back.

You don't exist. Go away.

Its fixed eyes somehow followed her every move, like a fucked up Mona Lisa. She shook her head, trying to shift the image.

With a different look, different clothes and car (thanks, Mum), Sandy set off. She thought she heard the children calling out to her, and wondered if this was fear, or wishful thinking.

Sometimes she caught glimpses of the elf in the mirror. She gritted her teeth and ignored him, focusing tightly on the road ahead.

If I pay him no attention, he'll lose power over me. He'll go away. She wasn't certain she believed this, but repeating it kept the rising tide of dread from washing her away.

The sat nav directed her up a long, bumpy track. Heart pounding, she crunched to a stop.

How should I play this? Confront him? Act as if everything is normal?

Mind still racing, she approached the door, and knocked as if everything was, indeed, completely ordinary.

After all she'd been through to get here, it was an odd sort of shock to see Karl framed in the doorway, a smile on his face. Does it look cruel? Did it always look like that?

"You shouldn’t have come," he said.

"Where are they?" she blurted. "Summer! Matty!" She listened for a reply, and heard nothing. "What have you done to them?"

"They’re safe. With me. But you… you’re not well. You need help."

His words were like a punch to her gut. It didn't help that her grip on reality was slipping. She was sure the elf dangled behind him, eyes gleaming.

I have to stay strong. For Summer and Matty. And Wyatt of course.

"I'm taking them back," she said, her voice shaking.

"And if I say no?" His eyes were like chips of flint. "Will you call the authorities?"

He leaned forward with a wide, crocodile smile.

"See... I'm the good guy."

+

Less than two weeks to go! OH MY GOD!