The Disappearances Read online

  But though he could feel his heart thudding in his chest, he kept his expression emotionless. ‘Of course,’ he said, showing him the way and motioning for Stern to stay outside with the two men in khakis. They walked into his rooms, and Benjamin closed the door. ‘Please,’ he said. ‘Sit. Make yourself comfortable.’

  The man didn’t sit down. He looked around the room, then looked Benjamin in the eye. ‘Benjamin, we believe that two young people have recently joined your community. Young people who escaped from the City and who we are keen to have back. They are missed. That is who we have come for. I would appreciate it if you would bring them to me quietly so that we can take them home. Right away.’

  ‘I see,’ Benjamin said thoughtfully as his heart filled with dread. Until now he had hoped that perhaps there would be a way to appease these men. Now he knew there would not be. Goods he would trade; people he would not. ‘Two young people, you say.’

  The man nodded. ‘The only two people to have joined your community in the past two years. You know who I’m talking about. Raffy and Evie. We need them, and we need them now.’

  Benjamin looked at him carefully. ‘All the people in our community are citizens. Handing them over … it’s not that easy,’ he said.

  The man’s face hardened. ‘Benjamin, don’t be stupid about this,’ he growled. ‘They haven’t been here long; they don’t deserve your protection. Just give them to us and we’ll leave with no fuss. Whereas if you don’t …’

  ‘If I don’t?’ Benjamin asked lightly.

  The man smiled. ‘You know what will happen,’ he said. ‘And it would be a shame. It’s a nice set-up you’ve got here. Very nice indeed.’

  Benjamin digested this, made a decision. He shrugged. ‘You’re right,’ he said. ‘They are recent additions to our community. I’m sure we can let them go. Let me just find out where they are. I’ll need to come up with a story for everyone. I don’t want people being afraid.’

  He shot the man a pointed look but he didn’t seem to notice. Slowly, Benjamin walked to the door and called Stern over, whispering in his ear. Stern looked taken aback, but nodded immediately. Then, just as slowly, Benjamin walked over to his shelves and pulled out a box file and walked back towards his desk. ‘Not in there,’ he murmured to himself, placing the box file on the desk and opening it. ‘Ah, here we are,’ he said.

  The man saw the glint of metal too late; Benjamin had already fired a shot. As he did so, two more rang out from outside the door. Immediately the door opened and he and Stern exchanged glances, glances that communicated everything they needed to, glances that they had learnt years ago when they had been inmates together in prison, back in the old world, the world they rarely talked about now.

  ‘We’ll need to do something with the bodies,’ Benjamin said grimly.

  Stern nodded.

  ‘And would you mind walking to the gate. With this?’ Benjamin handed him the dirty cloth he had picked up earlier that day. The cloth with the red mark. A mark that said Do whatever it takes. Benjamin had done what had been asked of him; so had Stern. And now he needed to know why. ‘I think we have some other visitors. I’d like to see them right away.’

  Stern frowned uncertainly and took the cloth. As he turned to walk away, Benjamin reached out and touched his shoulder. ‘Thank you,’ he said. ‘For believing in me.’

  Stern looked at him strangely. ‘Everyone believes in you,’ he said. ‘But only you believe in me. There’s no need to ever say thank you.’ And with that, he disappeared, leaving Benjamin staring down at the Informer and the pool of blood seeping out all around his floor.

  34

  Evie woke with a start to see a face bearing down on hers. Benjamin. She stared at him uncertainly, her heart thudding in her chest as she pulled the sheets around her.

  ‘Evie,’ he said gently. ‘I’m sorry to disturb you so late but you have to get up.’

  ‘Get up?’

  ‘That’s right,’ a voice said, a voice so familiar that she thought she must be dreaming because it couldn’t be him, couldn’t be Linus, it made no sense. She sat up, stared at Linus and Benjamin standing over her. And then another face appeared behind them that made her eyes widen and her face flush and her heart thud loudly in her chest, and she knew without question that this had to be a dream. Had to be.

  ‘Lucas?’ It was Lucas. It actually was him. She stared at him, unable to move, unable to think, her heart thudding, her hands suddenly clammy and wet. Was this a test? A warning? A––

  ‘Lucas?’ Evie turned at the sound of Raffy’s voice. He had woken and was sitting bolt upright, staring at Lucas feverishly. ‘What are you doing here? What are you all doing here?’ His voice was gruff, angry and he moved in front of Evie as though he could block her from view.

  ‘I’m sorry Raffy but we have to leave this place,’ Lucas said, his voice low. ‘You’re both in danger.’

  ‘Leave? No,’ Raffy said, turning away. ‘We’re not going anywhere.’

  ‘Raffy,’ Benjamin said seriously. ‘I’m afraid you must. Men have come looking for you. We have dealt with them, but there will be more. And worse. It is impera-tive that you leave now.’

  There was a soft knock at the door; Evie saw Stern’s face appear as it opened. He looked taken aback to see the room so full of people but quickly sought out Benjamin and moved towards him silently.

  ‘I have tidied up,’ he said, looking at his leader meaningfully.

  Benjamin nodded grimly. ‘We don’t have long,’ he said. ‘An hour at most.’ He looked at Linus. ‘And you say the City is not behind this? And yet they were the City’s men. The Informers.’

  Linus pulled a face. ‘The Informers might appear to do the City’s work, collecting food for them. But in truth it’s the other way around. The Informers are not from the City. These two men might be doing the City’s work, but they’re doing it for their own ends. Either way, they’re more dangerous than you can imagine.’

  Benjamin appeared to digest this, then gripped Stern by the arm. ‘Stern, I need you to take leadership of our people for a time. The Settlement is under great threat; I need you to evacuate, take everyone into the hills, just as we’ve practised. There are food stores that will last several months, if that’s what it takes.’

  Stern nodded silently.

  ‘Follow the drill, ensure that it’s followed to the letter. I’ll make sure that Raffy and Evie leave safely, then I will join you.’

  ‘Of course, Benjamin,’ Stern said, his face filled with confusion.

  ‘Remind everyone to be strong, remind them that we’re in this together.’ He released Stern, shot him one last look. ‘Now go,’ he ordered, then turned back to Raffy. ‘You must leave. Now. Your lives are in danger.’

  Evie caught Lucas’s eye and flushed, looking away quickly, studying the floor, the bed linen, anything.

  ‘Maybe if you could … leave us for a few minutes,’ she suggested, ‘we could get ready?’

  She smiled at Benjamin awkwardly; immediately he nodded.

  ‘Of course. I’m sorry. We’ll be outside.’

  ‘You can stay outside,’ Raffy said. ‘We’re not going anywhere. Neither of us.’

  Linus looked at him archly. ‘You’ve got five minutes,’ he said. ‘Then we’re taking you, dressed or not.’

  He walked out, followed by Benjamin and Lucas. Evie picked up a bag, started to throw things into it. Raffy sat up. ‘We’re not going, Evie. Put that down. It’s a trick.’

  Evie turned to him in disbelief. ‘A trick? Raffy, are you mad? Benjamin said himself we have to go.’

  ‘Because Lucas convinced him to. This is all about Lucas,’ Raffy said, shaking his head, his eyes narrow. ‘He just can’t bear me to be happy. You don’t know him. Not really. I’m not going anywhere with him. And neither are you.’

  Evie shook her head in bewilderment. ‘You have to get over this anger at Lucas,’ she said. ‘This is not about the two of you. It’s not all about you and Lucas.’r />
  Raffy glowered at her. ‘I see he’s got you where he wants you,’ he said darkly. ‘But then he always did, didn’t he?’

  Evie shook her head despairingly. Then zipped up her bag. ‘You know what?’ she said, tugging at some robes. ‘I’m going. If after everything we’ve gone through you’re going to act like such an idiot then that’s fine, but I’m not hanging around. You stay here. You do what you want.’

  She started to walk towards the door, but Raffy jumped up, grabbed the bag from her and threw it on the floor. ‘No!’ He rounded on her, grabbing her wrists. ‘If you love me, you won’t go. You’ll stay with me.’

  ‘Ready?’ The door opened and Linus’s face appeared. He frowned when he saw Raffy restraining Evie. ‘Come on, we don’t have long.’

  ‘We’re not coming,’ Raffy said, his voice low and tense. ‘If Benjamin doesn’t want us here, we’ll go somewhere else. But on our own terms. Without any help.’

  ‘No, Raffy,’ Evie said. ‘Let go of me.’ She stared at Raffy’s hands. Then he released her wrists and his hands fell limply back to his sides. ‘Now, pack,’ she ordered.

  She’d never heard herself sound more angry, more in control. And to her amazement, Raffy didn’t argue; didn’t threaten her, didn’t lose control. He just stared at her, his eyes flashing, then shook his head and picked up a bag.

  35

  Devil looked around. Put the briefcase in the walkway, that’s what Thomas had said. The walkway in his own estate. Hide it where no one will see. Then walk away, far away. But Devil didn’t want to walk away; he knew what was in the case. He’d looked.

  He put the case down, started to pace around. His forehead was covered in sweat. Thomas knew what he was doing. He had to. He was clever. He knew stuff. Knew stuff about Devil. He had chosen Devil, and Devil didn’t want to let him down.

  He was supposed to leave, get the hell out of there. That’s what Thomas had said.

  But he couldn’t. Not yet. Not till he was sure.

  Sure about what? What else was he going to do with the case? He opened it again, tentatively, his fingers slipping on the clasps. He swallowed, a huge lump appearing in his throat, his stomach lurching. Thirty minutes. That’s what the timer said. Thirty minutes and thirty-five seconds. Thirty-four seconds. Thirty-three …

  This was what Thomas wanted him to do. What his father wanted him to do. Thomas talked about his father a lot. Told him that he hadn’t forgotten Devil, not at all. He’d had to leave, but he’d asked Thomas to look out for him. Told Thomas that Devil was a winner, that his father wanted him to take over his flock, that he wanted him to be a leader just like him. Soon, Thomas told him on a regular basis, Dalston would seem like a bad dream.

  Bad dream or a fucking bombsite?

  Devil wiped his forehead. His heart was going so fast he thought it might explode. Twenty-eight minutes and twelve seconds. Eleven …

  He had to get out of here. This wasn’t on him. He was just doing a job. Just proving himself. Proving he had what it took.

  What it took to do what? Kill people?

  He stared at the case. Stared back at the sprawling estate. He hated it. Loathed it. But he didn’t want everyone to die. The people who lived here were all right. They were just getting by.

  ‘Do this job and a new life awaits you, Devil.’

  He looked around, agitatedly. Then, suddenly, he stood up. Picked up the case. Started to run. He’d never run so fast. To the wasteland behind the estate. He shouted as he ran, scattering the few people hanging out towards the back of the estate. ‘Get away from here,’ he yelled. ‘It’s dangerous. Get the fuck away! This thing is going to blow!’ And they ran, they ran quickly, away from Devil, away from the case in his hand. And then he found what he was looking for, the hole dug for the foundations of the youth club. Two metres or so. Maybe three. He threw the case in, braced himself for the explosion but none came.

  Then he turned and started to run again; he was getting out of there, as far away from the estate as possible.

  As he ran, the phone in his pocket started to ring and he saw Thomas’s name.

  ‘Yeah?’ He was panting.

  ‘You’ve done it?’ Thomas asked.

  Devil hesitated. ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Good,’ Thomas said. ‘Where are you?’

  ‘Just leaving now.’

  ‘I’d run if I were you.’

  ‘I’m running,’ Devil said. ‘I’m running.’

  And as he ran he saw that the few people he’d shouted at before were getting people out of the estate; they weren’t just running themselves, they were rounding people up, moving people out, banging on doors. And he didn’t know why but he started to cry, because people weren’t sheep. They weren’t weak. They were good. They were so much better than him. And he turned again and ran back, and banged on doors himself, and pulled people out, and told them stories about gangs coming to burn the estate down, to make them see they weren’t safe inside, and there was no time, but still he ran, and shouted till he was hoarse, and they were all out, all as far as he could see. He started to run himself, following the crowd of people who had no idea where they were going or why. And then his phone rang again.

  ‘Are you far away now?’

  ‘Not really,’ Devil said.

  ‘Start running then,’ Thomas said. ‘You’re going to be famous, Devil. I’m going to be posting your sermons in just a few minutes. You’re going to be infamous. People will follow you.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Devil asked, his eyes fixed on the estate, on the land behind it, waiting.

  ‘Genesis,’ Thomas said. ‘You told me yourself. ‘And the Lord said, I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth; both man, and beast, and the creeping thing, and the fowls of the air; for it repenteth me that I have made them. But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord.’ That’s you, Devil. You’re Noah. And God himself. Punishing the wicked, offering salvation to the others, if they follow you, if they do what you ask them to do.’

  Devil shook his head. ‘It’s not going to work, Thomas. There ain’t no one dying here today.’

  ‘What do you mean?’ Immediately, Thomas’s voice went cold, angry.

  But Devil didn’t notice. Because he’d just seen something. The kid. The little girl. The one whose bike he nicked. On the walkway, looking down, her face scared, uncertain. And there were only seconds left to go, but Devil bounded back towards the estate, up the stairs. He picked her up and put her on his shoulder, and then he was running, but he knew he wasn’t going to make it, and as he reached the bottom of the steps there was a crash, a bang, like a million fireworks going off at once, only louder. ‘It’s started,’ he heard Thomas through the phone. ‘The flood waters are coming in.’

  And Devil could smell smoke, could hear people running, screaming, but he was paralysed, couldn’t move a muscle because of the smoke in his nose. He hadn’t smelt smoke like that since … not for a long time. And then he could move, but all he did was fall to the ground as the memories flooded in. The smoke. He remembered it. Remembered it filling his mouth, his nose. He remembered being scared, worrying about the cigarette he’d been smoking, the cigarette which had caused the smoke, because if his mum found out she’d beat him, beat him senseless. And then he remembered running out of the flat, to safety, away from the smoke, away from the fire.

  And he remembered not even thinking of Leona.

  He could feel the warmth, could smell the death in the air, clawing its way into his lungs. People were shouting but Devil wasn’t listening to them. Because he was somewhere else, somewhere filled with smoke, smoke and heat. He remembered it. He was back in the flat, back in the flat the day Leona died.

  Devil realised he was holding something. The girl. She was in his arms, his phone pressed against her shoulder. Leona?

  Not Leona. How could it be Leona?

  Leona hadn’t fallen out of that window. His mum probably hadn’t even left it open.

  Le
ona had opened it.

  Leona had jumped.

  She’d jumped because he’d started a fire and then left her to burn.

  A flash of red filled Devil’s mind and he slowly pulled himself up. The girl was coughing; she was alive. She looked up at him, her arms around his neck. And he held her. He held her and he wept.

  ‘Tell me what’s happening, Devil,’ he heard Thomas’s voice shouting out of the phone. ‘You tell me right now …’

  He looked over at the phone and kicked it away. He held the girl for a few more seconds, feeling her warmth against him, her life. Then, as the sirens drew closer, he put her down, stroked her head, said goodbye and started to run.

  36

  Evie trudged silently in the darkness, her eyes fixed ahead. Next to her was Raffy, his hands shoved in his pockets, his eyes thunderous. She watched him for a few minutes, remembering how his anger at the world used to intrigue her, how his refusal to fit in made him so irresistible. Back in the City, it had been her and Raffy against the world; their secret meetings had been the only thing she ever looked forward to. He was the only person who seemed to question things like she did; who found the rules of the City constraining, like wearing chains.

  But now, now things were different. Except Raffy had continued to be angry, resentful, jealous. Like nothing had changed. Like it wasn’t the City that had made him like that after all.

  And whereas his anger used to make him seem exciting and dangerous, now it irritated Evie more than she could put into words.

  Raffy was walking next to her, slowing his pace when she slowed hers, speeding up when she did. And as she walked, she realised that she was trying to shrug him off, that she’d been trying for a while now, that he’d never let her, that the more she tried to edge away, the more he would come after her.

  And all this time she had let him have his way, had reasoned with him, tiptoed around him, let him make his demands, let him get angry for no reason. Because she knew he needed her. Because she thought she owed him. Because she wanted to be happy in the Settlement, because she didn’t want to cause any trouble.