Scars by Dan Scottow

Author:Dan Scottow [Scottow, Dan]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Bloodhound Books

50

Lucy

Diana writhes around on the floor, wailing. She’s swatting at thin air, connecting with the side of Lucy’s face from time to time. She claws at Lucy’s arms as she tries to stop her, scratching deep gouges in her flesh.

‘Mylo, help me! Restrain her!’

Mylo pounces, grabbing Diana’s wrists from behind.

‘Diana, it’s us. It’s Lucy and Mylo, do you hear me?’

‘GET AWAY FROM ME!’ she screams, head jerking from side to side as she watches invisible objects move around the room.

‘Diana, please. Calm down.’

Lucy’s voice is firm, but level and measured. The thrashing subsides. A look of bewilderment fills Diana’s face. Mylo loosens his grip on her. She seems to relax, slumping forwards.

‘Let’s get her outside.’

They help her to her feet, carrying her out to the garden. She sobs, glancing fearfully at her arms. Brushing at them now and then, as if there is something crawling on them.

‘Mylo, inside, in the drawer of the dresser, there’s a number for the doctor, in a diary. Can you call, please?’ She motions with her head towards the house, and he hurries away.

Lucy grasps the sides of Diana’s head with both hands, staring into her unblinking eyes.

‘Diana, you’re safe. I’m here. Do you understand?’

Her eyes dart from side to side, but settle on Lucy’s own. She nods.

‘Good. Keep looking at me. Don’t worry about anything else.’

Mylo appears back at her side.

‘He’s on his way.’

Diana’s head whips towards him.

‘I’m sorry, Mylo. It’s my fault. I invited her back.’

He looks, puzzled, at Lucy, who shakes her head. He says nothing, simply smiles at Diana.

‘You can go if you need to,’ Lucy says.

‘You sure? What if she–’

‘She won’t. She’s fine. I’ve got this. You get home.’

He kicks at the ground, like he doesn’t want to go, but eventually heads towards the dinghy.

‘Mylo,’ she calls after him. He turns to her.

‘Thank you.’

He smiles weakly. As he pulls the cord to the outboard, and the engine starts to buzz, he looks over his shoulder.

Lucy helps Diana to her feet, helping her slowly back inside as Mylo’s boat hums away.

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