Page 44 of They Found Us
After the boys have been asleep for a while, I feel tired myself, so I also get into bed.
My thoughts go to Leo. I hope everything gets sorted with the Martelé. I don’t want to have to live in fear for the rest of my life. I know there will always be risks with Leo being who he is, but if we don’t have a death warrant hanging over our heads, I will feel a lot better.
Although I am incredibly tired, I just can’t sleep. After checking the boys are okay, I go downstairs and find Alga in the laundry room. It’s a large room with two industrial-size washing machines and tumble dryers. There is one on each side of the room. On the left side, they are white, and those are what I use whenever I’m washing our clothes. On the opposite side are black machines. These are strictly for work clothes. I’ve seen the mess some of the clothes are in when they go into those machines, and I’m grateful we have separate ones. Alga is at the back of the room, steaming some white shirts. She is the reason all the Guerra men look so pristine.
“Alga,” I call, making her jump a little. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to sneak up on you.”
“Oh, Katie dear, I was in a world of my own.” Alga takes so much pride in her work. She’s like everyone’s mother, ensuring everyone is looked after. “I thought you were all asleep.”
“I’m really tired, but I couldn’t settle.”
“Come on, I’m finished here now. Let’s have a cup of tea.” Alga puts her hand gently on my back and leads me into the kitchen.
“Shouldn’t you be getting to bed? It’s very late,” I say as she puts on the kettle, and I get the cups out of the cabinet.
“Oh, I don’t need much sleep these days. I’d rather be up doing things. There’ll be plenty of time to sleep when I’m dead.” She chuckles while putting the teabags in the cups.
“I know, but you mustn’t do too much. I don’t know what any of us would do without you, so you must look after yourself.” I make a mental note to myself to speak to Leo about not working her so hard. I know we’ve been away for years, but she has aged a lot and looks much thinner than she used to.
“Thank you. But honestly, I’m fine. I’ll have this drink, then get off. Now, you tell me all about little Zander and Mark. What was he like as a baby?” We sit down at the table with our drinks.
“When we had Mark, we were living in a little bubble. It feels like a dream now, thinking back. I had found out I was pregnant not long after arriving at the island, and we were so happy. I had the perfect pregnancy, Leo was so protective of me, doing everything. He wouldn’t let me lift a finger. The birth was perfect, a quick natural delivery with Leo by my side the whole time, unlike Zander’s.” I continue to explain how perfect the start of Mark’s life was, leaving the trauma of Zander’s delivery for another time.
“We lived in a lovely family home that Leo and I renovated ourselves, and Leo had the grounds turned into orchards and beautiful gardens. On our first anniversary there, Leo bought me some chickens, something I had always wanted. Our days were filled with family time, walking on the beautiful beaches, and spending time in our home. Mark had both his mummy and papa with him 24/7, and as parents we did everything fifty-fifty. Leo is an amazing father.”
Alga’s face is full of pride. She has always thought of him as more than a boss.
After about half an hour of me talking about our time on the island and Alga thoroughly enjoying every word, I say, “I’m feeling tired now. I think I’ll go back to bed.” More for Alga’s benefit really. I want her to get some rest because I know she will be back here at the crack of dawn.
“Yes, you get off to bed. I’ll just finish a couple of things in the laundry room, and then I’ll get to bed too.”
“Well, don’t be long. You work too hard.” I kiss Alga good night on the cheek and go back to my room.
When I return to our bedroom, I feel like something is off. I check on Zander, who is still fast asleep in his cot beside our bed. Then I notice that the door that joins Mark’s room to ours is closed. I’m sure I left it open. I always do, so that if he wakes in the night, he can find his way to us.
I quickly open his door and enter his room, which is in complete darkness now lit only by the dim light coming from our room. Again, I’m certain I left Mark’s night light on.
When I reach Mark’s bedside, I thankfully find him still asleep. Sitting with him a moment, I stroke his head, trying to work out what might have happened. Maybe in my tiredness, I turned out his light and shut the door. It’s the only explanation,as it’s only me and Alga in the house, and Alga is downstairs. But there’s a tug in my gut that just won’t let my brain explain it away. When I’m happy Mark is content, I leave his side and switch on his night light.
That is when I notice the eyes.
Wide eyes staring at me, watching my every move.
A gasp escapes my lips.
A chill runs down my body.
A very large, haunted-looking man stands in Mark’s bedroom by the door.
“Wh-what are you doing in h-here?” I demand, stumbling over my words.
But the man just stares at me intimidatingly.
“You need to leave. You shouldn’t be in here.”
I’m sure he is one of the Guerra guards. In fact, I recognise him now as one of the guards who met us off the plane. I remember his cold stare. Still there is no response.
“Get out!” I scream in panic, emotion filling my voice.
