Page 119 of Little Children

‘We’re gonna get you out of here,’ she whispered.

Fear shone from his eyes as he pulled up his knees in front of him and pushed himself further into the corner. Kim was reminded of a beaten and broken dog in an animal shelter.

She moved towards him slowly, using the phone to light her way.

She didn’t care how big and tough he’d once been. He was now a terrified twelve-year-old boy who would be slow to trust any stranger.

She reached out and touched his arm.

He let out a little cry of fear.

‘I swear, Lewis. I’m a police officer, and I’m going to get you home.’

He shook his head. ‘Th… they… don’t… want…’

‘Bobby is gone, sweetheart. Your mum and Kevin love you very much and want you back.’

He stopped shivering as a single tear rolled over his cheek.

Instinctively, Kim reached out and pulled him closer. His frail and beaten body was wracked with sobs as he rested his head against her shoulder. She would have stayed in that position for as long as he needed, but the kidnappers could return at any time.

‘Lewis, I need your help. Is there anything you can tell me about where they keep you?’

He pulled his head away and wiped at his eyes with his hands. ‘It’s a stable. We’re chained up, and they bring us out to go to the toilet and for training.’

Kim pushed the picture of Josh out of her mind.

‘Do you know how long it took to get here?’

‘Thirty, forty minutes,’ he said, shrugging.

In the back of this dark van, there would be little concept of time.

‘Were there any noises you can remember hearing?’

‘A train, slowing down and then speeding up.’

A station, Kim realised, probably within a mile.

There was no way he’d know the times. He probably only knew night and day.

‘How many times each day?’

‘A few. Maybe ten.’

‘And the place?—’

‘They’re coming,’ he said as the sound of footsteps on gravel met her ears. This time there were more. Other voices shouting, cars starting.

She scrabbled to her position at the back of the van and pulled the blanket over her. She prayed that nothing was showing to give her away.

As the door handle was pulled down, Lewis slid into position in front of her. She silently thanked him as his back nestled against her stomach.

If they looked deep into the van, the main thing they would see was Lewis.

‘Get in,’ she heard the woman say. ‘You’re all fucking useless.’

The van rocked from side to side as the other two boys got in.