Never Say Never (17 page)

“At first I thought they were going to let me go, but I knew that after everything they did to me, they wouldn’t let me live.” She shook her head.

“Did they rape you?” He asked.

“Just the one. I never thought he would though.” She sighed.

“Why do you say that?” He asked.

“He wasn’t like the other one. I could see he was a good person.” She frowned and a tear ran down her cheek. “He had kind eyes.”

“Then why would he do that?” Lucas asked.

“He said that he was protecting me, that his friend wouldn’t have been so gentle with me like he was. He was right. He….” She stuttered and Lucas held her tightly against his chest.

“It doesn’t matter.” He whispered. “You don’t ever have to talk about it if you don’t want to, okay?”

“Okay.” She nodded and closed her eyes, to shut out the pain in her heart again.

“I heard you two last night, Mom.” Owain said and looked up from his bowl of cereal at the breakfast table the next morning, looking expectantly at Hayley and Lucas.

Lucas choked in his coffee and Patrick and Heather chuckled, as Hayley looked at Owain in disbelief.

“What do you mean?” Hayley frowned.

“You and Luke.” Owain looked at her. “I heard you last night.”

Lucas and Hayley exchanged awkward glances and Lucas smirked slightly.

“We also heard them.” Heather winked at Owain.

“See?” Owain glared at Hayley. “What was so funny?”

“Funny?” Hayley gaped and Lucas burst out laughing.

“Yes, you guys were laughing. A lot.” Owain nodded.

Hayley smiled lightly and the awkwardness vanished instantly. “Lucas was telling me a funny story.”

“That must have been one long story.” Patrick chuckled, and Heather nudged him in the ribs.

“Sounded like you were having fun.” Owain looked at Hayley.

“We had loads of fun.” Lucas grinned and took a sip of his coffee.

Hayley narrowed her eyes briefly at him and looked at Owain.

“So is Mom having a baby then?” Owain looked up at them.

There were a few moments of silence as the four adults exchanged glances.

“No, baby.” Hayley frowned and looked at him.

“Why not, Mom?” Owain wanted to know.

“Yeah, Hayley, why not?” Lucas grinned and she elbowed him in the arm.

“You must have done something wrong, Luke.” Owain looked over at Lucas.

“That’s not what your mom said.” Lucas muttered and Hayley covered her mouth with her hands, suppressing a laugh. “What’s so funny?” He whispered to Hayley.

“Luke!” Owain said in irritation.

“I didn’t do anything wrong, buddy.” Lucas frowned.

“You must have.” Owain frowned, clearly displeased. “I’m disappointed in you, Luke.”

“I…” Lucas stuttered.

Hayley could not contain herself and burst out laughing and he looked at her, shaking his head in slight disapproval. “A little help would be nice.”

“No way, I’m staying out of this.” Hayley raised her hands in the air and looked at Owain.

“If Luke didn’t do anything wrong, then you must’ve done something wrong, Mom?” He said.

Lucas looked over at Hayley but she pointed a finger at him. “Not a word.”

Hayley turned a bit in her seat and looked at Owain. “Owain, honey, listen to me. We can’t just have a baby like that.” She snapped her fingers and looked at Owain.

“Why not?” Owain asked and Hayley hesitated.

“We have to get married first.” Lucas said.

“So when are you getting married?” Owain asked.

“I’ve been asking that same question for years.” Heather sighed with a smile.

“Mother...” Lucas chuckled. “Don’t encourage him.”

“He has a point, you know.” Patrick said to Lucas.

“But Mom, were you married when you had me.” Owain glared at her.

Hayley frowned and broke her gaze. “No, but that was different.”

“How is that different, Mom?” Owain asked.

“Your dad was bad.” Lucas answered for her and she gave him a grateful nod.

“How do you know he was bad?” Owain exclaimed.

“Because he left you and your mom. No good man would ever do something like that.” Lucas said and looked at Hayley. He could see she was close to tears and gently covered her hand with his. Hayley felt a lump in her throat and leaned back in her chair.

“That’s a good point, Luke.” Owain nodded and looked at Lucas. “Besides. I like you better.”

“That is good to know, buddy.” Lucas grinned. “We should actually get going.”

Hayley looked at her watch and frowned, not realizing that it was indeed time to go. Even in the short amount of time spent with the Donovan’s, she had come to like and respect them. Heather was like the mother she never had, loving and nurturing and she enjoyed spending time with her, as did Owain.

About an hour later, they were saying good-bye to Heather and Patrick in the driveway.

“It was wonderful having you, Hayley.” Heather smiled and pulled her in for a hug.

“Thank you for having us.” Hayley smiled and Heather pulled back, looking at her.

“You are welcome here anytime. Both of you.” Patrick nodded.

“Thank you.” Hayley smiled at him.

Lucas opened the backseat door for Owain and he climbed in. Lucas leaned over and buckled Owain in, before closing the door.

“He is so good with him.” Heather smiled and Hayley looked over at the car. Lucas was listening to something that Owain was saying and she smiled.

“Who would have thought?” Patrick sighed with a grin.

“He is the first guy that Owain gets along with.” Hayley frowned. “As in ever.”

“That has to mean something, not so?” Heather smiled.

“Definitely.” Hayley looked at Heather and smiled shyly.

Lucas walked over to them and touched her shoulder. “Ready to go?”

“Yes.” Hayley nodded and tucked a blonde piece of hair behind her ear.

“Thanks for having us, Mom, Dad.” Lucas hugged his mother.

“I love you, baby.” Heather ran her fingers through Lucas’ hair.

“Love you too, Mom.” Lucas muttered and tugged at his hair.

Hayley smiled and crossed her arms,
recognizing the reaction immediately.

“Don’t be a stranger, Luke.” Patrick frowned and gave Lucas a hug.

“I won’t.” Luke frowned.

“I’ll make sure of it.” Hayley chuckled.

Lucas looked at Hayley and raised an eyebrow. He looked back at his parents and smirked. “See? She’s got it covered.”

Hayley and Lucas walked over to the car and Lucas opened the passenger door for her.

“Show-off.” She raised an eyebrow at him.

“You don’t know the half of it.” He winked at her.

She climbed into the car with a chuckle and he closed the door.

“Bye, Mom and Dad.” He called out with a wave and climbed into the car.

“Drive safe, Luke.” Heather waved at him.

Chapter 8
– Real-life Flashbacks

Hayley pushed the shopping cart down the aisle and looked over at Owain, dragging his feet. His shoulders were slumped slightly and he was extra quiet. “Are you okay, baby?”

“I guess so.” He shrugged without looking at her. “I'm just tired.”

Hayley placed her palm against his forehead. “You feel a little warm...”

“I don’t feel sick, Mom. Do I look sick?” Owain asked.

“You look perfect to me.” Hayley placed her hand back on his head.

“I thought so.” He sighed and carried on walking. “Mom?”

“Yes, baby?” She answered.

“When does this come off?” He tilted his head and raised his arm, which was still in a cast.

“Only in a few weeks.” Hayley said.

“Okay. I kind of like it. Mimi likes it too.” Owain said.

“She likes it?” Hayley asked.

“Yes, she said it makes me look like a tough guy.” Owain smiled proudly.

Hayley knelt next to him and smiled. “That's because you are a tough guy, baby.”

“I'm your tough guy, right, Mom?” He asked.

“Absolutely.” Hayley smiled and kissed the top of his head.

“Mom, can I go look at the toys?” He asked.

“Okay, baby, but don’t be too long.” Hayley nodded and looked around her.

As Owain walked off towards the toys, that was three aisles down, Hayley felt a shiver run down her spine and she stopped abruptly. A familiar smell hung in the air and she felt her heart starting to pound in her chest. “No.” She frowned to herself and continued walking. As she reached the far end of the aisle, she heard footsteps behind her and she turned around slowly. She gasped softly as she looked at the person walking towards her.

It was him! She felt her heart stop as she was transported back in time, six and a half years ago.

She could feel his tobacco breath on her face and it disgusted her. She tried to pull away, but the tightness of the ropes around her wrists made it impossible. The more she fought to free herself, the tighter the rope became. She felt the cold metal of the scissors run down her stomach and it made her shiver. Today was the worst day of all. All the other days were horrible, but today was the worst. Today he was cutting her clothes off her, inch by inch. All of this was a game to him, to see how long she would last. She knew exactly how many days it had been since they stuffed her in that van and brought her to this wretched place. She smelled the stench of her blood and their sweat and she shivered.

“You had enough yet?” His voice whispered in her ear and a chill ran down her spine.

“You can’t do this….” She breathed, her eyes filled with tears.

“We already have, princess.” He smirked. “And there is nothing that you can do about it.”

“When the police catch you, you’ll be your cellmate’s princess…” She gritted her teeth.

Keeping herself angry prevented her from breaking, and she refused to be broken by these men. She narrowed her eyes at him and fought against her tears. She refused to let them see her cry again. They weren’t worthy of her tears.

“You’ve got a smart mouth.” The other voice said and she watched as he walked over to her.

She glared at him wordlessly and took a few deep breaths. Even though he was trying to stare her down and intimidate her, he didn’t
strike fear into her heart as the other one did. He had kindness in his voice and she picked it up immediately. Somehow, in a twisted way, he gave her hope, and that was what she held onto, as it was the only thing she could hold onto.

“I think she deserves another cut.” The one with the dark eyes held out the scissors to the other one.

The Kind One, as she secretly called him, took the scissors from his buddy and looked at her.

“You’ll never do it.” She muttered, still glaring at him.

His one eyebrow was slightly raised and he grabbed her by the hair. This took her completely by surprise and she let out a scream.

“Don’t test me.” He spat at her and pressed the blades of the scissors against her stomach.

“You don’t scare me.” She narrowed her eyes at him.

The dark eyed one smirked at her and grabbed hold of her jeans, which were now shorts. “You need to shut up!”

“Let go of me!” She growled.

He undid her shorts and they dropped to the floor. Any shred of modesty that Lee had left was just stolen from her and her efforts to
cover herself up were futile. The dark eyed one grabbed her and looked at the Kind One.

“Teach her to behave.” He said to his buddy.

Her body froze as she watched the Kind One, which she thought was her salvation, loosen his pants and come towards her.

“No please.” She struggled against the other one’s grip on her shoulders, but again, he was too strong. “Not again…”

She felt nauseous as he forced himself inside her, while his buddy held her in place. He carried on until her hips were aching and she felt herself heave a couple of times.

“Here we go again.” He moved away suddenly and looked at the dark eyed one.

“Screw that, she’s faking.” The dark eyed one snorted.

“Put her down.” The Kind One said.

“You’re seriously…”

“She’s going to throw up all over you again. Put her down.”

She felt his grip slip and she fell onto the ground. Her insides felt like they were tangling and she vomited on the floor.

“Fuck, that’s disgusting. I’m out of here.”

There were a few moments of silence in the room and she raised her head slightly. He knelt beside her and his hand started stroking her back in a slow upward motion. She slowly raised her head and looked at him.

“Are you okay?” He asked, and the compassion was heavy in his eyes.

“What?” She frowned.

“Are you okay?” He repeated.

“What do you think?” She spat onto the ground and wiped the side of her mouth.

He sighed softly and reached over to grab her shorts. He turned to her and held them out to her. She looked at him in slight disbelief and carefully took them from him. She placed them on her lap, covering what she could, not that it mattered now.

“I’ll bring you some water, and something to eat. Okay?” He whispered.

She looked at him again and nodded slightly. He looked at her, worry eminent on his face and stood up slowly. She stared at him as he left and could not believe what she had just witnessed. He may be her salvation after all.

“What are you doing?”

“Nothing, man. Just relax.” He stood up from the floor and walked to the door.

“What are you looking at, bitch?”

“Nothing.” She lowered her gaze and closed her eyes, but his face
was imprinted in her mind.

“You.” Hayley said in disgust.

“You remember me after all this time. I’m impressed.” He gave her a satisfied smile.

“You son of a bitch.” Hayley whispered. “You shot me and you left me to die.”

“We thought you were dead.” He frowned.

“Who’s we?” She narrowed her eyes at him.

“You changed your hair. I liked the darker. Made you look hotter and dirtier.” He leaned in closer to her, ignoring her question.

“What do you want?” Hayley gritted her teeth.

“How are you, Hayley?” Barry glared at her. “Or should I call you Lee?”

“You have no right…” She narrowed her eyes.

“Where’s your son, Lee?” Barry frowned at her, licking his lips.

“That is none of your business.” Hayley frowned and looked around her.

“He looks just like his dad.” Barry looked at her.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She shook her head.

“Don’t play dumb with me, princess. I bet Luke would be fascinated to know about this.” Barry cocked his head at her.

“How do you know Lucas?” She narrowed her eyes at him. “And why would he be fascinated? He already knows about Owain.”

“That’s not what I meant.” Barry laughed. “Don’t worry your pretty little face, you’ll find out soon enough.”

“You’re sick…” Hayley whispered.

“Yes, I know. I’m sick and I need to be locked away and never let out. I’ve hea
rd that one before, princess.” Barry smirked.

“You better pray that the cops don’t get a hold of you.” She hissed.

“Are you going to call them, Princess?” Barry chuckled. “I don’t think so.”

“Mom!” Owain came round the corner and she froze, silently willing him to turn and run, but he marched towards her and grabbed her hand. “Who are you?” Owain glared at Barry in disapproval.

Barry took a few steps back and looked at Owain.

“It’s okay, baby. This man was just leaving.” Hayley pulled Owain against her and put her arms protectively around his shoulders. “Weren’t you?”

“You leave my mom alone!” Owain glared at Barry. “She already has a boyfriend.”

“You’re definitely braver than your father ever was.” Barry chuckled and looked at
Owain.

“Don’t you dare…” She started her sentence but Barry laughed to himself.

“Have a nice night, princess.” Barry smirked and Hayley watched as Barry turned on his heel and walked towards the exit of the store.

“Who was that?” Owain asked.

“No-one.” She replied hoarsely and grabbed hold of Owain’s hand. “Come on. We’re going.”

“But what about…” Owain protested.

“Not another word, Owain, we’re going.” She said firmly and she walked towards the exit doors.

It was already dark when they stepped outside and Hayley hurried Owain towards the car. She could feel her heart pounding in her chest and dozens of questions were running through her mind. How did Barry find her? How did he know about Owain? How did he know Lucas? And where was Chad? Did he want Owain back? What did they want with him? Do they want her dead, as they initially intended? She quickly buckled Owain in on the passenger seat and climbed in the car. She took a deep breath and sped off as quickly as she could. As she was driving home, she noticed a black car with tinted windows driving behind her and she drove a little faster.
She felt her heart beating in her throat, grabbed her phone and dialed Lucas’ number.

“Hey, this is Lucas, leave a message.”

“Shit.” She groaned in frustration and threw her phone down on the seat next to her. She adjusted her rear view mirror and looked at the car behind them. She turned into Douglas Street and looked in the mirror again. She let out a sigh of relief when the black car was no longer behind her. She drove into her street and passed her house.

“Mom…” Owain asked, but she raised her hand in the air.

“Where are we going?” Owain asked, ignoring her gesture to be silent.

“Not a word, Owain.” She frowned and drove further down the street, to Lucas’ house.

Lucas’ house was dark as she pulled up onto his driveway and switched off the car. As the two of them briskly walked over to the front door, she picked up the welcome mat and grabbed the key. She looked over her shoulder and unlocked the door.

“Mom…” Owain said behind her, but she grabbed his hand and they went inside.

“Quiet, Owain.” Hayley let out a deep breath as she locked the front door and leaned against the wall. She was still holding Owain’s hand and looked down at him.

“Are you okay?” She whispered.

“Yes.” He said softly.

“Good.” She nodded and looked out through the window.

“Mom?” Owain asked and she looked at him. “What’s going on?”

“Quiet, baby.” She looked at him and frowned.

“Who was that man?” Owain asked.

“Owain, not now…” Hayley sighed and walked through the dark house.

“And why did he say I am braver than my dad will ever be?” Owain followed her down the hallway and she entered Lucas’ bedroom.

“Mom!” Owain yelled and Hayley stopped abruptly by the bed. She switched on the lamp and turned around slowly. She looked at him and ran her fingers through her hair. He had that look in his eyes again that reminded her so much of his father.

“Does he know my dad?” Owain asked.

“Yes, he does.” Hayley sighed and rubbed her eyes.

“How?” Owain asked.

Hayley sighed and felt a pounding in her head. “I’ll tell you all about it in the morning.”

“No!” Owain stomped his foot on the floor and Hayley looked at him in disbelief.

“You raise your voice at me one more time...” She frowned and shook her head.

“Or what?” Owain screamed at her. “You know something and you’re hiding it from me! Tell me now!”

“Your father is dead!” Hayley screamed at him.
“He is rotting in Hell, getting exactly what he deserves!”

Owain looked at her and she saw his bottom lip start to quiver. Her heart broke into a million pieces and she took a step towards him. “Owain…”