Page 37 of Silent Scream

The children at school all had puppies and I wanted one too. But this pet would be all mine. I fed it, I walked it and it lived in my room. This time I was hopeful but the snap of its neck did not pain me. It only fuelled my curiosity. My need to know how far I could go.

The death of three animals brought an embargo on pets. This limited my options for further research and then I realised that the ultimate test had been before me all the time.

Everyone said she was cute; adorable, angelic, perfect. So that was my goal. I knew that she would not come to the pond without tempting. There was a look in her eye. She saw things that others did not.

So I told her there were bunnies; a mummy and her babies. I pointed to the bush, right on the edge. She peered inside. Her back was towards me. I pushed her face down and straddled her neck. She coughed and she spluttered and then she lay still.

Oh, Caitlin, Caitlin, Caitlin. You gave me a gift.

As I dismounted her small body, I finally had all the answers. My condition was not a curse, but a blessing. The sacrifice of my sister finally set me free. Since that day I have been liberated to take what I want and destroy what I don't, without the restraints of guilt or remorse.

Like a missing limb, compassion is simply not there. It cannot be replaced or transplanted and nor would I wish it. It is a shackle that binds lesser mortals to morality and an ethical code. But I have no code to follow.

So, what came first, the chicken or the egg? The answer is, I couldn't care less.

As the sound of the motorbike fades, I turn and walk away.

She would be a worthy adversary.

She will make discoveries along the way which will lead her exactly where I want her to go.

She will uncover secrets of Crestwood but she will never uncover mine.

Twenty-One

Despite the head start, Kim pulled into the car park a moment before Bryant. He parked beside her.

‘Go and get cleaned up. I’ll go see Woody.’ She started walking towards the entrance.

‘I’m more than happy with my own decisions so don’t ...’

‘I’ve got seven minutes to get to his office so hurry up.’

They sprinted up the stairs together and entered the office.

Dawson’s eyes widened. ‘Jeez, looks like you two had some kind of mud fight.’ He chuckled. ‘I’d like to have seen that. My money would have been on the Guv.’

Bryant sat down. ‘Hell, Dawson, any smart money would have been on the Guv.’

‘There are bones,’ Kim said, removing her jacket. She ran her fingers through her hair. ‘Bryant will fill you in.’

She headed to the door.

‘Guv,’ Bryant said, stopping her. ‘Tell him the truth.’

‘Of course,’ she replied and headed to the stairs.

By her reckoning she had a minute and a half left by the time she knocked on his door. She waited until he called before entering. It wasn’t going to help if she infuriated her boss any further.

She took the four steps to the chair and noted that the stress ball remained on the desk. Okay, now she was in trouble.

‘What the hell do you think you’re doing, Stone?’

‘Err ... could you be more specific?’ she asked. She would hate to be apologising for the wrong thing.

‘Don’t play games with me. The antics of you and Bryant could seriously jeopardise ...’

‘Not Bryant, Sir. He just watched.’