Mother Knows Best (Novella): A Psychological Thriller Novella Read Online Free Page B

needed to deal with it, but first he had to find a light.
    Back on his feet, Cody located a light switch.
    The little brown dog bared his teeth at Cody, just as a series of car horns sounded from outside.
    Cody raced to the front window, peeking out. Sure enough—the curtain across the street twitched.
    Pleased things were going according to plan, he turned back from the window.
    “Now all I need to do is shut this fucking dog up.

 
    Chapter 7
    Still drowsy from whatever drugs they’d given her, Ruby felt like she was in a dream. Maybe it was a dream—or a sick joke and her mum would jump out any minute now after teaching her the greatest lesson of her life—always listen to your mother.
    But it wasn’t a dream or a joke. This was actually happening—every terrifying second of it.
    The crunch of car tyres on gravel sounded soon after Cody left and she heard nothing but silence since.
    Screaming had achieved nothing but to wear her out within minutes, causing her to drift off again.
    She awoke to a scraping sound outside the door.
    “Hello? Can anybody hear me? Help—please help,” she called.
    Nothing but silence.
    Her eyes filled with tears and she shivered, her teeth chattering. Although the weather outside had been warm and muggy, the tiny room felt cold and damp.
    Thick black plastic ties dug into her wrists and ankles causing her to wince every time she moved. The ties were threaded through chains anchored somewhere underneath the bed. She knew it would be pointless trying to unfasten them. The only way they were certain to move would be to tighten even more, cutting the blood supply off.
    This situation was exactly what her mum had professed would happen—why the hell didn’t she listen to her?
    A tightness in her chest made it difficult to breathe and a pathetic whimper came from her throat. How would she escape this? Cody was clearly deranged, but Steve might help her.
    “Steve?” she called. “Steve. Please help.”
    Nothing.
    “Kyle—Kylie. Please.”
    Ruby’s heartbeat thudded in her ears as the doorknob turned slowly. The anticipation was enough to kill her there and then. Who was it? She couldn’t breathe—her eyes were trained on the opening door.
    After what seemed like forever, a man appeared. His shaggy mop of blonde hair and sapphire blue eyes told her he was related to Cody and Steve.
    “Kyle?”
    “I’m-not-allowed-in,” he said from the door. His voice sounded slow and slurred, every word ran into the next. He was nothing like Cody had described.
    “It’s okay, Kyle. I give you permission to come in—I need your help.”
    “Only-an-mergency.”
    “Yes, Kyle. This is an emergency.”
    “This-is-an-mergency?” Kyle tilted his head to one side, one eye half closed in confusion.
    “Yes, I promise. This is an emergency.”
    “Okidoke-then.” Kyle stepped into the room. “Do-you-like-my-fire-truck?” He shoved a bright red fire engine towards her.
    “That’s beautiful, Kyle.” She didn’t have time for this, but this odd man-child was her only hope of escape.
    Kyle nodded as he studied the truck—a simple, sweet smile on his face.
    “Kyle?”
    Kyle pressed a button on the truck and a siren sounded.
    “Kyle, can you help me?”
    “Can’t.” Kyle shook his head and stepped backwards, a frightened expression clouded his face.
    Ruby panicked. She knew she needed to get this overgrown child on side and fast.
    “You know, my uncle is a fireman,” she said, making her voice sound as bright as possible.
    Kyle gasped. “A-real-fireman?”
    “A real one. He’s the driver,” she said, smiling.
    “Did-you-touched-it?”
    “The fire engine? Yes, I touched it. I even had a ride in it.”
    Kyle’s eyes bulged as Ruby watched the cogs turning in his brain.
    “I bet I could get him to take you for a ride too. That is if you want to?”
    “I-go-for-a-ride?” His excitement was almost palpable.
    “Uh-huh. If you could help me get out of here.”
    Kyle’s expression