The Border Part Six Read Online Free Page B

The Border Part Six
Book: The Border Part Six Read Online Free
Author: Amy Cross
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something.”
    “From Jack?”
    “Or something else.” She paused again, before forcing a smile. “But what else is there? I mean, Bowley’s the most peaceful town in the world. Sometimes it’s too peaceful, sometimes it’s boring. Sometimes I wish there could be just a little excitement.”
    “Careful what you wish for,” Jane muttered.
    “You know what I mean. The only time I ever think something else might be going on, beneath the surface, is when Ben’s around. It’s almost like he’s connected to something darker, like there’s strings on him, attached to… something.”
    Jane stared at her for a moment. “Like what?”
    Beth shrugged. “I have no idea.”
    “Have you…” Pausing, Jane tried to work out how much she could say. “Have you ever heard of a place called the Border?” she asked finally.
    “The Border?” Beth frowned. “What’s that?”
    “You’ve never heard it mentioned? You’ve never even overheard anyone talk about it?”
    “No. Why, what is it?”
    “It’s… It’s nothing. Just a dumb story, that’s all. I was just wondering how far it had spread.”
    “I guess I’m glad Bowley’s boring, really,” Beth continued. “I mean, it’s a great place to raise the kids, isn’t it?”
    Jane nodded, even though she didn’t agree.
    “At least I know Lucy can’t get into too much trouble around here,” Beth added. “You know what kids are like, especially girls. At least in Bowley, Lucy can grow up and be protected from the darker things in life. I know she’ll probably want to head out into the world one day, I know I can’t protect her forever, but…” She paused. “It feels good to know that I don’t have to worry about her too much.”
    Feeling sick to her stomach, Jane looked down at her beer again. For a moment, all she could think about was the first night she’d ever set foot in the Border, and the thought of Lucy growing up and one day doing the same was almost too much to contemplate. Then there was the idea of her own sons going down there, not as workers but as customers. She’d always been able to put the darkness of the Border out of her mind, but with each year that passed, the kids got a little older and she began to worry more and more about them coming into contact with the darker parts of Bowley.
    “Your phone,” Beth said suddenly.
    “What?” Turning to her, Jane paused before realizing her phone was ringing. Taking it from her pocket, she saw Alex was calling. “Hey,” she said as she answered, “what are you doing calling so -”
    Stopping suddenly, she listened to Alex’s panicked words on the other end of the line.
    “Slow down,” she said after a moment. “Did you just -”
    She listened again.
    “Okay,” she told him, “I’ll be right there. No, Alex, I’m on my way. Five minutes, tops.”
    Putting the phone down, she paused for a moment, feeling as if the whole world was spinning around her.
    “What is it?” Beth asked. “Jane? Is something wrong?”
    “That was Alex,” Jane replied, turning to her. “He said… It sounds crazy, but he said there’s a hostage situation in the town square.”

III
     
    “Everyone stand back!” Alex shouted, gesturing for the growing crowd to move away. “Don’t make me keep saying this! I want you all to keep well back!”
    “What’s he doing with her?” one of the men asked. “What -”
    Before he could finish, Katie screamed again.
    Turning, Alex looked toward the pub. The lights were off but the front door was ajar, and for the last few minutes Katie had been screaming on and off, her voice sounded ragged and torn.
    “Aren’t you going to do something?” another man asked. “Alex, for God’s sake, he’s hurting her in there!”
    “I know,” Alex replied, “but he’s unstable. He says if we go any closer, he’ll…” He caught himself just in time, before feeling a flash of relief as he spotted Jane’s car arriving. “Everyone just keep back,” he continued.
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