The Boy in the Cellar by Stephen Smith

Author:Stephen Smith [Smith, Stephen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: True story, child abuse
Goodreads: 49897727
Publisher: John Blake
Published: 2019-12-26T00:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 16

THE OUTSIDE WORLD

I

didn’t look at him as I reached the top step. Instead, I kept my eyes forward and focused on the woman. I’d expected to see Andrew, Billy and Jane waiting but there was no one else there, only the policeman, the lady and him.

‘Come on,’ the lady said, taking my hand in hers.

I followed her out of the kitchen and along the hallway towards the front door. I allowed myself to marvel at the coloured glass one last time, saying a silent ‘goodbye’ to it as I left.

Where is she taking you? Ask her, ask her!

‘Erm . . . ’ my voice sounded small and quiet as I struggled to find the right words. I continued to stammer and stumble over them as she opened up the door and turned to face me. ‘Where are we going?’ I said finally.‘I . . . I . . . I . . . mean, who are you and where are you taking me?’

The lady smiled, not in a friendly way, more in businesslike manner as though this was something she had to do.

‘I’m a social worker, Stephen, and you are coming with us.’

Us? What, her and the policeman? I wondered what I’d done wrong and what a social worker even was.

But she offered no more explanation. Instead, she walked towards a car parked on the road outside and opened the door to the backseat.

‘Come on, hop in,’ she instructed.

I could feel my heart hammering. I’d always wanted to escape, yet now that I finally had I felt uncertain and afraid. I was still in shock as I lowered myself down into the back seat. As I did, I spotted another, slimmer, lady with long brown hair sitting in the driver’s seat. She twisted around in her seat and smiled at me. She seemed warmer than the last lady.

‘Are you alright, Stephen?’ she asked.

I nodded, even though inside I felt sick with nerves.

You’re outside! You’re actually outside – without him!

I began to tremble. The nicer lady noticed, rested a gentle hand on my shoulder and left it there.

‘It’s alright, Stephen. We’ve come to take you away.’

The social worker slid into the passenger seat as the nice lady started up the engine and we began to pull away. My mind raced as the car trundled along the road.

Where are they taking me? What if they’re taking me to another cellar?

I looked sideways at the door and for a split second, considered pulling the handle so I could jump out. My whole body quivered with fear. I hated Dad, but at least I knew what he was like and what he was capable of. At least everything was familiar back there, not like this – this was all new. I’d never been taken anywhere by anyone else in my life. I studied the backs of the ladies’ heads as we whizzed along and the scenery blurred outside.

Could I trust them? Were they actually taking me somewhere safe or somewhere even worse?

Oh my God! I thought as another thought flashed through my mind.

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