Free January by Gabrielle Lord Page A

I’d never seen before. I ducked into a huge shopping centre where I found a quiet corner, and, panting and sweating like crazy, I called Boges.
    ‘Boges!’ I gasped, trying to catch my breath.‘Something really bad’s happened at home and …’
    But Boges interrupted me. ‘Our place is crawling with cops! Mum’s freaking out!’
    ‘ Cops at yours ? Why?’
    ‘You’re asking me why? Look, Cal, I can’t talk now. I’ll have to call you later, OK.’
    ‘No! Wait! What’s happened? Why are the cops at your place? Boges? Please!’
    But he was already off the line.
    I didn’t know what to do. I tried ringing Mum on her mobile, but it was on divert, so I left a message. ‘Mum, I hope you’re OK. When I came home earlier, I found Uncle Rafe unconscious on the floor, his head bleeding, and Gabbi—Gabbi wasn’t breathing! I did what I could and she was coming round but I had to get out fast and … there are these people after me and I’ve been meaning to …’ I stopped. Mum would think I’d totally lost it. I’d have to sit her down and tell her the whole story now: about how the boat had been sabotaged, about being abducted and interrogated. ‘I’ll call you later,’ I said, hanging up.

    I sat in a coffee shop, in the corner furthest from the door, keeping an eye on passers-by. I’d ordered a drink but felt sick thinking about mylittle sister lying on the floor. Would she have died if I hadn’t come in when I did? Was she OK now?
    I tried ringing Mum again and once more it went onto voicemail. I left another message, asking her to ring me as soon as she could. She was probably at the hospital by now with Gabbi and Uncle Rafe. I felt choked up with anxiety and fear. Someone was targeting our family. This was out of control.
    I had to make a decision. I hated the fact that those thugs knew where we lived. Maybe they’d met Dad at the conference—or just looked us up in the phone book. I knew they could come back at any time.
    There was no way around this. I’d have to go to the police—tell them the whole story. Once the cops knew everything, they’d see that me and my family were in great danger.
    I could tell them about the mysterious Ormond Riddle, maybe get them to help us find out what the Ormond Singularity was, and clear this whole mess up.
    I could feel my confidence and strength returning. Our family would be helped.
    Yes, that’s what I would do.
    All I had to do was find a police station.

    I turned the corner a few blocks from home, past the big hotel where Dad sometimes used to go with work friends. That was back then, when the world was normal, when Dad was alive and my family was safe. I distracted myself by looking in through the doorway of the hotel lounge, my eyes drawn to the huge plasma screen that filled most of the far wall.
    I blinked.
    It was me.
    My face filled the giant plasma screen …
    The camera moved to a senior police officer. ‘Police have not yet released the names of the victims,’ he announced. ‘The first, a man aged in his forties and believed to be a close relative of the alleged offender, is expected to make a full recovery. The second victim, a girl aged nine, also a close relative, is in intensive care. Police are warning the public not to approach the suspect but to call the police if he is seen. He has already seriously attacked two people and could be dangerous if approached.’
    They were talking about me!
    They were showing my face as the attacker!
    I moved quickly, head down, hurrying past the hotel, hoping no-one would look up and see me.
    Around the corner, I started running. I’d have to get home. To Mum. Explain it all to her. She could go with me … to the police. Together, we could sort it all out …
    I slowed to a fast walk and became aware of a car cruising along beside me. A sideways glance—and I freaked out. It was a squad car!
    I made a quick left-hand turn into the nearest lane, running like crazy. The police car accelerated and