Free A Death Displaced by Andrew Butcher

it.
    ‘You know, Nicolas, there have been a few cases of children disappearing on this island. I’m almost fifty now, but I remember at least three or four cases. Maybe the island is really a giant beast that eats people up?’ She laughed, but unfortunately this was one of the very few times she didn’t think before she spoke.
    Nick tried to laugh back, but it came out miserable. His manager must have realised the parallels between the story of the missing child and the disappearance of Nick’s mum. ‘Oh … Nicolas,’ she said, ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t think.’
    ‘It’s okay, Mora. I don’t think my mum’s dead anyway. I think she just wanted a different life. She took out a few thousand pounds before she disappeared. It’s pretty obvious she just wanted to get away from my dad … and my brothers and I.’ He hadn’t spoken to anyone but Caroline about it for a few years now; it was one of them subjects he just didn’t bring up unless someone directly asked about it.
    ‘Well, I hope you don’t mind me saying … but she’s missing out. If you were my son, I wouldn’t ever think of up-and-leaving like that.’
    Emotion started to bubble up inside of Nick, but he let himself feel good instead of turning all sentimental. Mora didn’t have a partner or children, so Creaky Crystals and the staff were probably all the family she had. ‘Thanks. That’s a nice thing to say.’
    Mora smiled at him. They had time for another cup of tea each before they returned to work. Though, Nick opted for hot chocolate this time.
    Unable to stop thinking of Katie Baker’s parents, Nick felt a lot of empathy for them. He knew what it was like to be left in the dark, wondering if someone you cared about was alive or not. But what he couldn’t know was how it felt for a parent to lose their child.
    When he returned home, he eagerly checked his Facebook messages. Fin had replied:
     
Alright buddy? I’m great man.
I’m so sorry mate but I’m mega busy at the moment. I’ve got a new contract in London. I’ll be travelling there a lot over the next few weeks.
I’m earning some proper money now! If I’ve got time I’ll pop into that crystal place you work at and see you or something?
Anyway, I thought you had my number. Text me next time.
See you when I see you mate.
     
    At the bottom of the message, Fin had provided his mobile number in case Nick had lost it (which he had, along with his previous mobile phone when he’d placed it on a shop counter then forgot to pick it up when he left).
    Fintan’s reply wasn’t what he’d hoped for. He didn’t blame his friend; he was happy for him. Maybe a tad jealous too, but all he wanted was to tell someone about the premonition. Someone he could trust.
    Oh, well.
    Before retiring to bed, he decided to do something he’d never done before: say a prayer. Not knowing who he prayed to or how to start, he sat up in bed, modestly, and then said a prayer for Mr and Mrs Baker, wishing them happiness. For their missing girl, he asked for her safe return, even though it’d been two years now since she had vanished.
    Then he was cold and in pain.
     
    *
     
    Grit pressed into his face. Spit hocked out of his mouth, sudden pain hitting his back repeatedly. He curled up and covered his head to protect it from the blows.
    With a look down at his stomach, he saw a foot kick into it. He made a puking sound and groaned in agony.
    ‘Stop!’ a woman screamed.
    The kicks went on, and he tried desperately to squeeze into a ball shape to defend himself. Hard shoes connected with his shins, back, and arms. He dared not look up to see the attackers; they would only kick his face if he did.
    He writhed on the bitter ground and closed his eyes, wishing it would stop. He went to shout something.
     
    *
     
    ‘Help!’ His body convulsed, he sat up in bed.
    Opening his eyes, he looked down at his hands still in a prayer pose. Oh, crap. He shook his head, got up, and hurried to the kitchen. The