Best friends forever

Page 1

She was just a girl.Brought up around alcohol, shouting, drug use, and broken promises. Most days, her father spent his time at the pub — wasting his wife's hard-earned money on one-armed bandits, chatting up women, or fumbling with hookers in dark car parks. Merry would hide the moment she heard his key hit the door. His return always meant anger, yelling, sometimes worse. Her mum? Still there in body, but barely alive in spirit. Always working, always tired. Barely speaking. The house reeked of bitterness, stale smoke, and hopelessness. Page 2 Merry didn’t have many friends. Just one, really — an old, beaten teddy bear. She’d had him for seven years.One eye missing. Fur torn. Stitching coming undone. But he was hers. Her grandmother gave it to her the day before she died. A house fire.She had dropped a cigarette on her nightie, and being paralyzed from the waist down, couldn’t move fast enough. They found her remains fused to the floor — burnt flesh and bone surrounded by blackened ash and the thick, choking stench of death. The autopsy said smoke filled her lungs long before the flames took her body.She died slowly. Merry never cried harder than the day she lost her. Page 3 Now, the teddy was all she had left of her. She spoke to it when things got too loud in her head.When the shouting downstairs turned into glass smashing.When the footsteps came storming toward her room. Tonight was one of those nights. Merry curled under the broken wooden bed, the floorboards pressing into her skin. Then—A voice. “Marry... It’s okay. Don’t be scared. He won’t hurt you while I’m around.” Silence. She looked around the room.From beneath the bed, her eyes landed on the teddy. Still sitting in the corner, just like always. Was that... you? Page 4 A faint laugh. Then: “Come and play. You’re okay.” Her skin crawled. The room seemed to go still, like it was holding its breath.Then —Something ran past the door. A black shadow.Fast. Blurred.It laughed — a sharp, inhuman sound. Merry scrambled out from under the bed and darted into the closet.She curled into a ball, knees tucked tight to her chest.Breath shaking. Hands over her ears. Then— BANG. Her door flew open. “WHERE ARE YOU, MERRY?!” Page 5 It was her dad. “You woke me up again with your bangin’!”His slurred voice cut like glass. “What have I told you, huh? You’re good for NOTHING. Why the fuck were you even born?” She whimpered, barely able to move.He staggered forward. “Get out that cupboard and into your bed! Don’t make me come back up these stairs!” Merry pushed open the closet door. Still trembling, tears down her face, she slid into her bed.He watched her for a second, then slammed the door so hard the walls shook. Downstairs,the familiar clink of the whisky bottle. And silence. Except for the soft rustle of fur in the corner.Chapter 2 Chapter Two(Page 6)Sunlight peeked through Merry’s bedroom window.She slowly opened her eyes — it was morning.She couldn’t remember falling asleep.Stretching and yawning, she looked around her room.The teddy was still in the corner.Did I dream that? she thought.The clock read 8:00 a.m. Her dad was already gone.Her mum worked the night shift, so Merry hadn’t seen her for days.Then — slam!The front door shut.“Merry?” her mum called up the stairs.“You OK, love?”Merry jumped out of bed and rushed downstairs.She threw herself into her mother’s arms.“What’s wrong?” her mum asked, pulling her close.“He’s not hurt you, has he?”“No, Mum. He just shouted... then slammed my door.”Her mum exhaled, holding her tighter.“I love you, Merry. Don’t ever forget that. I’ve been saving money from my wages. Don’t tell your dad — he doesn’t know. But soon... we’ll be out of here. Away from him.”Merry looked up, eyes wide.“Really?”“Really,” her mum smiled softly. “Now go get ready for school. I’ll make you breakfast. I even got your favourite — chocolate flakes.”Merry beamed.“I love you, Mum.”“I love you too, darling.”---Page 7Merry got dressed for school, grabbed her bag, and carefully tucked her teddy inside.She headed downstairs for breakfast.“Was that nice?” her mum asked, smiling. “Come here — you’ve got chocolate all over your mouth, silly billy.”Merry giggled.“I’m going to school now, Mum. Love you.”“Sorry you have to walk, but he’s taken the car again, and I need to get some sleep. Are you walking with your friend today?”“Yes,” Merry answered, looking down at her bag.“Okay. Have a good day.”Merry walked out the front door.The school was two miles away, and the first mile and a half was just cornfields and trees.She didn’t actually have any friends — just her teddy.She only told her mum she did, so she wouldn’t worry.As she walked through the quiet country path, she pulled the teddy from her bag.“I dreamt you were talking to me last night,” she said, then laughed to herself. “Silly me.”“You’re not silly. I did,” the teddy replied, its voice soft and strange. “You’re my best friend. I wouldn’t let anything happen to you.”Merry stopped dead in her tracks, her face frozen in fear.“Wait... what?”“I did,” the teddy said again.Its head moved slightly and a smile spread across its worn, stitched face.She stared. For a moment, she thought she must be imagining it.“Let’s go on the tree swing,” the teddy said, pointing toward the oak tree up ahead.Her mum had put it there for her — far enough from the house that her dad wouldn’t see.“We have to go to school...”“Just one swing,” the teddy said.“Okay... I’ll push you,” Merry whispered.---Page 8Merry placed the teddy gently on the swing. As she gave it a push, she heard a soft giggle.The teddy’s head tilted ever so slightly with each sway.“You’ve been my best friend for years,” she said softly. “Why have you only just started talking?”The teddy let out a low, eerie laugh.“I’ve seen and heard everything that’s happened to you. Your grandma told me to look after you… so I did. I tucked you in at night, sat by your bed, kept the door locked some nights so your dad couldn’t get in.”Merry stared at him, her face pale.“I tried to speak to you before,” the teddy continued.“But I couldn’t get through. Now, you’re going through hell, and I had to use all my strength so you could finally hear me.”Merry giggled nervously to herself.“We need to go — I can’t be late for school. I’ll get the cane.”“No one will ever hurt you again,” the teddy said firmly.“I’ll make sure of that.”Merry tucked the teddy back into her bag and started running toward school, heart pounding, mind racing.---Page 9 – Hollows HighMerry arrived at school — a big old Victorian building with tall black metal gates and the name Hollows High in bold, chipped letters above the main doors.All the other children had already gone inside.The headteacher stood at the school doors, arms folded, her face twisted in a menacing scowl.> “Merry! Hurry up! Why are you late?” Merry kept her head down.> “Come to my office at dinnertime,” the headteacher snapped. Merry knew exactly what that meant: the cane across the hands. Again.She walked quietly to her class and opened the door.A chorus of “Awww!” echoed from the other kids.> “Be quiet!” barked Miss Jenkins. “Go and sit down, Merry.” Merry slid into her seat, her teddy still zipped tightly inside her bag.> “Ignore them,” the teddy whispered. “They’ll get what’s coming to them.” Merry giggled to herself.> “Is something funny, Merry?” Miss Jenkins snapped. > “No, Miss Jenkins,” she mumbled. > “Then be quiet and get on with your work.” Behind her, the school bully sat blowing paper balls through a straw at the back of Merry’s head.She ignored him — until her teddy slowly popped its head out of the bag, perched on the back of her chair, and stared at the bully with an evil grin.> “Miss! Miss!” the bully screamed. “There’s something alive and creepy in Merry’s bag!” > “What have I told you?” Miss Jenkins snapped. “Be quiet and get on with your work!” The class giggled — this time at the bully.---Page 10 – The bullyThe bell rang — morning break. The kids ran outside to play.As the bully walked past Merry, he shoved her hard.She fell over a chair and landed face-first on the concrete floor, scraping her cheek and leaving a nasty burn.> “Get up, Merry, and stop messing around,” the teacher snapped, barely looking her way. Merry held back tears.She left her bag in the coatroom and headed outside.No one would play with her. So she sat alone on the grass, staring at the bright blue sky and watching the planes drift above. It was a sunny, peaceful day — for now.Inside the school, the bully — Mick — went back in to use the toilet, walking past the coatroom.Behind him, Merry’s schoolbag began to move.The zip slowly opened.Teddy’s head poked out — his stitched mouth curled into a wide, evil grin.He jumped to the floor, landing with a soft thud.His glass eye gleamed.He followed Mick toward the toilets like a predator stalking prey.---Page 11 – The Bathroom HorrorOn the teacher’s desk, a small fruit knife had fallen from her handbag after she cut up an apple earlier.Teddy picked it up with his tiny paw.As he crept closer to the toilets, he began whispering:> “Mick... Miiick...” Mick stopped cold.His eyes widened. He looked around — nothing.> “Dammit,” he muttered. “My pants!” He’d wet himself.Panicked, he tried to dry off using the hand dryer.Suddenly, with a flash of movement, Teddy leapt out from a toilet cubicle, knife in hand, eyes blazing.He slashed through Mick’s Achilles tendon with a single swipe.Mick screamed and dropped to the floor, blood gushing across the tiles.> “AAAGHHHH!” The crimson spray splattered across the sinks, the walls — even the ceiling.Teddy didn’t stop.He hacked at Mick’s hands — over and over — until they were shredded.The teacher came rushing in. She slipped on the blood, crashed face-first into the sink, and knocked herself out cold.Without hesitation, Teddy slit Mick’s throat — blood fountained from the wound.He placed the knife carefully into the unconscious teacher’s hand...And vanished.---Page 12 – AftermathTeddy ran into the classroom, climbed into the sink, and washed off the blood.Then he giggled and jumped back into Merry’s schoolbag.Down the corridor, screams erupted.> “OH MY GOD!” one teacher shouted, rushing into the bathroom. Another threw up on the floor.> “CALL THE POLICE!” screamed Mrs. Jones, tearing off her jacket to press on Mick’s wounds — but it was too late. They pulled the knife from the teacher’s limp hand.Meanwhile, the playground descended into chaos. Teachers shouted, ushering students out to the school gates.Merry, stunned, snuck away from the crowd and dashed inside to grab her bag.She saw the body.Saw the blood.The lifeless bully.Her hands trembled.She clutched her bag tight and ran — heart pounding, lungs gasping — out the school gates and through the cornfields, straight toward home.She burst into the house and ran upstairs, shouting for her mum.Still half-asleep, her mum sat up groggily.> “Merry, calm down. Tell me slower. What’s happened?” Merry collapsed into her arms, shaking.> “You’re okay,” her mum whispered, holding her tight. “You’re home now. You’re safe.” Capter 3 Page 13 – A Mother's Goodbye Ashley gently carried Merry into her bedroom and tucked her under the covers, brushing the hair from her forehead. She kissed her. Merry was fast asleep — exhausted from everything she’d seen that day. Ashley sighed, walked into her own room, and began getting ready for her long night shift at the mental hospital. She hated that job. But she needed the money. She needed to get Merry out of this house. Away from him. --- Page 14 – Return of the Monster CRASH. The front door slammed open. “Ashley!” a slurred voice echoed. “Where are you? I need some money!” Ashley’s stomach dropped. “I’m up here,” she called, her voice flat. “You’ve taken everything I had.” Heavy, uneven footsteps clomped up the stairs. He reeked of cheap whisky and cheaper cigarettes. “Don’t lie to me, woman,” he growled, stumbling into the bedroom. “I know you’ve got some stashed.” “I told you—I gave you my last bit yesterday.” He slapped her. “Stop it!” she cried. “Please—I’ve got nothing!” Another slap. Harder. “You’re useless,” he spat. “Lazy. Fat. Ugly. I don’t even know why I’m still with you. I could get a hundred better women than you.” Tears streamed down Ashley’s face. “Don’t start with the waterworks,” he said, mocking her. “No one feels sorry for you.” Then he collapsed face-first onto the bed, snoring almost instantly. Ashley staggered out the room, slamming the door behind her. She walked into Merry’s room, kissed her again, and whispered: > “Go back to sleep, darling. I have to leave for work now. I’ll see you in the morning.” Merry stirred. > “You okay, Mum?” Ashley wiped her eyes. > “Yes, I’m fine. Don’t worry about me. I love you.” > “Love you too, Mum.” Ashley stepped outside, then paused. She spotted the car keys—her husband had left them on the side table. > At least I don’t have to walk to work tonight. She grabbed them, shut the door quietly behind her... ...not noticing that Merry’s backpack, sitting in the hallway, had just begun to move. --- Page 15 – Teddy Wakes The zip twitched. Then a hand. Then a grin. Teddy stepped out of the bag slowly, one paw gripping the wooden wall for balance. He started pacing the hallway. > “I’ll sort him for you, Ashley,” he whispered in his crackling little voice.“I’ll sort him for you, Ashley...” His head tilted side to side. He let out a deep, guttural laugh. Then he opened the cupboard under the stairs, eyes gleaming. > “Perfect…” He spotted a rusted claw hammer. Teddy grabbed it with both paws. --- Page 16 – Up the Stairs Step by step, Teddy climbed the stairs. The hammer clinked on each step. > “I’ll get him...”“I’ll kill him...” He mumbled to himself. His black button eyes glinted with rage. Suddenly — the bedroom door flew open. Teddy flattened himself against the wall. Dad stumbled out, scratching himself and yawning, then staggered toward the bathroom, muttering. He lifted the seat and urinated all over the floor. Then, groaning, he splashed water on his face and lumbered back downstairs. Teddy crept into the bedroom, looking for a place to hide. > “Fucking prick...” he hissed. --- Page 17 – The Living Room In the kitchen, Dad poured the last drops of whisky into a shot glass. He scratched his crotch, grabbed his radio, and wandered into the front room. With a creak, he dropped into an old wooden rocking chair, lit a cigarette with his last match, and tapped his foot to a rock ’n’ roll beat. Teddy, halfway down the stairs, growled under his breath. > “Fucking prick...” Hammer in hand. The steps echoed with each tap of metal on wood. Dad, suddenly sensing something, turned down the radio and peeked his head out the door. He looked up the stairs. Teddy lay motionless on his front — the hammer hidden beneath him. > “Why the hell does she still keep that creepy bear?” Dad muttered. “Should’ve burned it years ago…” He went back inside. Realised he had no more matches. > “Fucking hell...” Then he spun around— --- Page 18 – The Attack CRACK. Teddy drove the claw hammer straight through Dad’s boot and into his foot. Dad screamed, blood pouring from the torn leather. > “AAGHHH!” Teddy didn’t stop. He swung again — the claw end ripping through Dad’s eyeball. Blood sprayed across the room. Dad wailed and writhed, but Teddy kept going. Over 20 swings. Smashing. Splitting. Pulverising. Until nothing remained but a ruined mess of bone, brain, and blood. --- Page 19 – The Voice Merry, upstairs, crept toward the noise. She reached the front room door. BANG. Teddy kicked it shut from inside. Then, in her dad’s voice: > “Go back to bed, Merry...” Her eyes widened. > “Dad?” she whispered. > “GO BACK TO BED.” It was his voice — but... off. Too perfect. Too rehearsed. She turned and ran, bolting up the stairs, into her room. Jumped into bed. > “He must be drunk again,” she thought. “He’ll fall asleep soon.” But the house stayed silent. No yelling. No footsteps. Just silence.Page 20 – The Knock Silence had barely settled over the house after what happened to her father, when— BANG BANG BANG. Heavy fists hammered the front door. “POLICE! OPEN UP!” Merry shot up in bed, heart hammering against her ribs.She crept to the top of the stairs, peering down through the banisters, terrified they would come up and find her. “WE KNOW YOU’RE IN THERE! OPEN THE DOOR NOW!” They kicked it in. Splinters flew everywhere.Two uniformed officers stormed inside, torches cutting through the dark hallway. “Constable… look…” The first officer froze. His beam of light landed in the front room.Right there on the rug… lay what was left of her father.Smashed. Pulverised. Unrecognisable. Blood soaked deep into the floorboards. “OH MY GOD… CALL IT IN! NOW!” the second one yelled, voice cracking. “Multiple homicides! We need CID, forensics, ambulance… EVERYTHING!” Merry clamped her hands over her mouth to stop herself screaming.They were shouting about bodies… about extreme violence… asking each other ‘what kind of monster could have done this?’ One officer spotted the family photo on the wall.He pulled out his radio immediately. “Get me the station. Now. We need the next of kin. Ashley — the wife. She works at the mental hospital. Phone her NOW. Tell her to come straight here… and warn her what we found.” Upstairs, tucked safely back in her bag in the corner of Merry’s room, Teddy’s stitched mouth stretched wide into a grin.His glass eye gleamed in the shadows. “I saved you… Merry… I saved you…” he whispered softly. Ten minutes later, they left. Sirens blaring as they raced away. The house went quiet again.Quieter than it had ever been. Page 21 – The Rush At the hospital, the phone rang. Ashley picked it up. Her blood ran cold the second she heard the voice on the other end. It was the police. They told her about what happened at the school earlier. They told her they had been to the house. They told her about her husband.And they told her she needed to come home immediately — that Merry was there, alone, and needed her. Ashley didn’t even stop to change out of her uniform.She ran for the car, tyres screeching as she pulled out onto the road, driving like a maniac. I’m coming, Merry. I’m coming. Hold on. She drove as fast as she could, foot flat down on the pedal, tears blurring her vision.She had to get there. She had to save her little girl.She didn’t see anything else but the road ahead. Page 22 – The Collision Around the sharp bend, a huge old tractor trundled slowly along the middle of the road.Lashed to the back with rope was a long, heavy metal fence post — the kind used to secure farm fencing. Ashley never saw it coming.She hit it head‑on at sixty miles an hour. The windscreen shattered instantly.Her body flew forward with the force of the crash — and the heavy, spinning blades of the tractor sheared straight through her neck. Her head came clean off.It flew through the air, rolling and bouncing, before landing deep in the tall, thick corn growing right beside the road.Her body slumped back in the seat, lifeless, blood pouring everywhere. The impact jolted the tractor violently. The rope holding the load snapped.The heavy metal post shot forward like a missile… THWACK. Straight through the back of the driver’s skull…And burst straight out through his eye sockets. He slumped over the wheel, dead before he even hit the floor. Silence fell over the road.Smoke rose into the air.Wreckage lay everywhere. Page 23 – The Nuns Further down the road, a coach pulled over to the side.It was a day trip.Full of nuns. They had seen the smoke rising. Heard the loud bang echo across the fields. “Come along girls, let’s go see if anyone needs help,” said the Mother Superior. They climbed out, habits flapping in the breeze, rushing toward the wreckage… and froze dead in their tracks. Carnage.Blood everywhere.Ashley’s headless body still sitting in the crushed car.The tractor driver slumped over the wheel with the metal spike sticking out of his face. Two nuns fainted straight onto the tarmac, out cold before they even hit the ground. A third nun turned pale as a sheet, hand over her mouth…Then she bent over, heaved, and threw up absolutely everywhere…All over the poor bus driver standing right next to her. Disgusted, covered in sick, and absolutely terrified, the driver turned and ran blindly away from the horror.He crashed straight into the tall cornfield beside the road, desperate to get away from the sight and the smell and the mess. Page 24 – The Eyes He was stumbling through the stalks, wiping the mess off his face, heart pounding…Trying to get as far away as possible. Then he stopped dead. Right there in the dirt, looking straight up at him…Was Ashley’s head. Her eyes were still open. BLINK.BLINK. She was looking right at him.Still alive enough to see him. The shock was too much. Pure terror hit him like a train.His legs gave way instantly. He fell backwards… CRACK. The back of his skull hit the hard concrete edge of the road with a sickening crunch.His skull split open.Brain and blood spilled out onto the grass. He didn’t move again. Silence returned to the road.Just the wind rustling through the corn.And the screaming nuns. Page 25 – Alone Back at the house, Merry sat on the edge of her bed.She heard the sirens earlier.She heard them leave.She heard the distant crash from far down the road, but didn’t know what it was. She felt strange.Empty.Like the whole world had just stopped turning. She reached down and unzipped her bag. Teddy crawled out.He climbed up onto her knee.His button eyes looked deep into hers. “It’s just us now, Merry…” he whispered, his voice soft and crackling.“Don’t be scared. I’m here. I’ll never leave you.“We don’t need anyone else… just you… and me… forever.” Merry hugged him tight.She didn’t know that downstairs was a massacre.She didn’t know her mum was lying headless in a field.She didn’t know the police were dead.She didn’t know anyone was left alive in the whole world except her and him. She just knew Teddy was her best friend.And he would always keep her safe.Page 25 – The Call Back at the crash site, the nun who had been sick was leaning against the bus, shaking from head to toe.She had never seen anything like it in her life. Blood everywhere. Bodies mangled. And worst of all… that poor woman’s head lying in the corn, staring up… blinking. She pulled her mobile phone out with trembling hands.Her fingers wouldn’t stop shaking. She dialled 999. “POLICE… AMBULANCE… FIRE… EVERYONE… QUICK!” she screamed down the line. “There’s been an accident… a terrible accident… people are dead… there’s blood everywhere… it’s a massacre… PLEASE HURRY!” She gave them the location, then dropped the phone and burst into tears, staring out at the wreckage and the tall, whispering corn. Page 26 – Swarm Minutes later… the world exploded. First came the sirens.High, loud, screaming wails tearing through the quiet countryside air. Then the lights. Blue lights. Red lights. Flashing everywhere. Spinning, blinding, reflecting off the fields and the trees. One car. Then two. Then five. Then ten. Then twenty. Police cars. Ambulances. Fire engines. Vans. Motorcycles.They came from every direction, tyres screeching, skidding to a halt all up and down the road. The whole place was swarming.Officers running everywhere. Paramedics rushing. Firemen unrolling hoses.Radios chattering, shouting, yelling over each other. “SECURE THE SCENE!”“CLEAR THE ROAD!”“GET THESE NUNS OUT OF THE WAY!”“WE GOT MULTIPLE FATALITIES… MULTIPLE DEATHS… ALL UNCONFIRMED!” It was absolute chaos.Lights flashing so fast it looked like day turned into night and back again every second.Sirens so loud your teeth rattled in your head. And all the while… deep in the corn… Ashley’s head lay silent, eyes still opening and closing, watching everything happening. Page 27 – The House Back at the house, it was already crawling with police.They had taped the whole place off. Officers stood guard at the gate and the door.It was a full‑blown murder scene — blood all over the front room floor, the remains of her dad still lying there. Nothing was being touched. Nothing was being moved. They hadn’t left Merry alone for a second.Two officers had stayed right inside the hallway the whole time, waiting for orders, watching the stairs, making sure nothing got disturbed and she was safe. When the call came through about the crash and her mum… everything changed. Two more officers stormed up the stairs, boots heavy on the floorboards.They threw Merry’s bedroom door open. “Merry?… Love?… You have to come with us. Right now.” She was sitting on the bed, bag clutched tight to her chest. Teddy safe inside.She didn’t argue. She didn’t cry.She just stood up and walked straight between them. They led her out past the front room.She could see over their shoulders.The rug. The mess. The bits that were left of him.Police photographers taking pictures. Men in white suits dusting for fingerprints. Outside, the street was still a blur of blue lights and noise.They walked her quickly to the car, sat her in the back, and shut the door tight. One officer got in the front. One sat in the back with her.They weren’t taking any chances. As they pulled away, Merry zipped her bag open just a tiny bit. “It’s okay Merry…” Teddy whispered, voice crackling soft against her hand.“I saw them… I saw what they did… I saved you… didn’t I?” She squeezed the bag.And the car sped off toward the station.Page 28 – Arrival The car pulled up outside the station. Blue lights still flashing, reflecting off the big brick building.Merry sat in the back, gripping her bag tight against her chest. Waiting at the doors was a special female officer — one trained just for children, so they wouldn’t be scared.Her name was Hannah. She was small and thin, with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She looked kind. Soft. Safe. She opened the car door and smiled gently down at Merry. “Hello, Merry. I’m Hannah. Do you want to come with me? I’ve got a special room just for kids. We’ve got loads of toys in there, and colouring books… everything you need.” Merry nodded slowly. There were tears already welling up in her eyes.She reached out and tried to take Hannah’s hand, her fingers trembling. “It’s okay, hun,” Hannah said, squeezing her hand tight. “You can hold my hand as tight as you want. I’ve got you.” They walked together down the corridor and stopped at a door painted bright, sunny yellow. Page 29 – The Play Room Inside, the room was warm and bright.All different kinds of toys were scattered everywhere. Cartoons were playing on a big widescreen TV in the corner. There was a machine full of sweets and snacks, and a huge, soft, bright‑blue sofa against the wall. Merry sank right down into the sofa, letting out a long breath she felt like she’d been holding for hours. “Merry… do you want anything to eat or drink?” Hannah asked softly. “I… I don’t know,” Merry whispered. “You really should try and eat something, hun. It might help.” “Okay… if you think I should.” “Alright then, you choose something from the machine. What do you fancy?” Merry had already taken to Hannah straight away. She felt safe with her — safer than she had felt with anyone in years. “I’ll have… some chocolate, please.” “Chocolate it is. I’ll buy it for you right now. You just sit there a minute… I have something I need to tell you, okay? It isn’t going to be easy… and it’s okay to cry, whatever happens.” Merry’s face dropped. She looked worried, her big eyes wide and scared. She slid off the sofa and sat down on the soft pink rug on the floor instead, putting her bag right beside her. Page 30 – The News Hannah knelt down so she was level with her. “Merry… your mum was involved in an accident earlier today.” Merry froze. Her heart stopped beating. “Is she okay? Tell me she’s okay!” Hannah’s face fell completely pale. Her mouth went dry. She looked away for a second before looking back into Merry’s eyes. “I’m so sorry to tell you this, Merry… but your mum died in that accident. She didn’t suffer… but she’s gone.” Merry started shaking all over. Her whole body trembled like a leaf.Then the scream came. Loud, raw, and full of pain. “NO! NO! I WANT MY MUM! I WANT TO SEE MY MUM! YOU’RE LYING!” She jumped up from the floor, grabbing toys and throwing them everywhere. Soft toys, plastic bricks, dolls… she hurled them across the room, screaming and crying. “It’s okay, Merry… it’s okay… just let it out…” Hannah said, trying to step close. Then… right there on the floor beside her… her bag started moving.It wiggled. Shifted. Bulged from the inside.But Hannah didn’t see it. She was too focused on trying to calm her down. Merry didn’t even look at the bag. She was too full of rage and hurt.She bent down, picked up a heavy, solid wooden play block from the floor… spun around… and launched it straight at the big TV on the wall. SMASH! The screen shattered into a thousand pieces. Glass sprayed everywhere. The picture died instantly. Page 31 – Calm Down Officers came running from every direction, bursting through the door. “GET A NURSE IN HERE! SHE’S OUT OF CONTROL!” one of them shouted. “SHE’S JUST UPSET! LEAVE HER!” Hannah screamed back, standing in front of Merry to shield her. Suddenly… silence. Merry stopped screaming. She stopped moving.She just stood dead still in the middle of the room. Frozen. Like a statue. Shock had taken over completely. A nurse rushed in quickly with a small syringe. She stepped up to Merry’s arm and gave her a quick shot — something to calm her down, something to stop the shaking, something to make her sleep. Within seconds, her eyes started to droop. Her legs went soft. “It’s alright, love… come with me…” the nurse said gently. They led her out of the room and down the hall to the police medical room.They laid her down in a small, soft bed, covering her with a blanket.She was asleep almost instantly. And back in the playroom… left sitting on the pink rug right next to the broken TV…Was her bag.Zipped up tight.With Teddy still inside.Waiting.Page 32 – Tidy Up Four officers had stayed behind to clear up the mess from earlier — picking up toys, sweeping up the shattered glass from the TV, wiping the floor.But Hannah stayed behind too. She couldn’t get Merry out of her head. Her heart ached for that poor little girl. Once the others had finished and left, Hannah started tidying the last few bits away herself.Her eyes fell on the pink rug.Right there, sitting exactly where Merry had left it… was her bag. “Oh bless her… she left her things,” Hannah whispered to herself. “She’ll be upset when she wakes up without them.” She knelt down and unzipped the bag gently.Inside, wrapped up safe and tight, was the old, battered teddy bear.One eye missing. Fur torn. Stitching coming undone.But he looked well loved. Cherished. Hannah smiled softly. “Well hello there… you must be her best friend, aren’t you?” She lifted him out carefully, holding him like he was something precious. “She wouldn’t want to wake up without you, would she? Let’s go find her.” Page 33 – Reunited She walked quietly down the corridor to the medical room.She opened the door slowly, trying not to make a sound. Merry was fast asleep in the small bed, breathing slow and deep, still out cold from the injection. Tears were still dried on her cheeks. She looked so small… so alone… so broken. Hannah tip‑toed over.She gently lifted Merry’s arm and slid the teddy bear right underneath it, tucking it in nice and tight so she was holding him just like she had been before. “There you go, love… something to hold onto when you wake up,” she whispered. She brushed the hair gently out of Merry’s eyes, smiled sadly, and backed out of the room, closing the door soft as a breath behind her. As soon as the latch clicked… Teddy’s head moved. Slowly.Deliberately. He looked around the room with his one glass eye.Left. Right. Up. Down.Checking every corner. Checking every shadow. Making sure it was safe. Then he sat up, pulling himself free from her grip just enough to lean close to her ear. “Merry?… Merry?… are you okay?…” he whispered, voice crackling low and soft. No answer. She was still deep under, breathing heavy and slow. “It’s okay… you’re safe… I’m here…” he murmured. “You must be absolutely exhausted… it’s been such a long, bad day… sleep now… I’ve got you.” He snuggled right up close against her chest, wrapping his little paws around her arm, holding her tight.He didn’t move. He didn’t make a sound. He just stayed there… guarding her… watching her… loving her. Page 34 – Waking Up Four hours passed. Slowly, Merry started to move.She shifted in the bed, twisting and turning, mumbling in her sleep, small whimpers escaping her throat. Then… a long, deep yawn.She stretched her arms out wide, her fingers opening and closing… and she felt him. Soft fur. Hard button nose. Torn ear. Her eyes snapped open. She looked down.Right there… cuddled up right next to her face… was Teddy. She squeezed him tight, burying her face into his fur, so relieved she could cry all over again. “Good… you’re okay…” Teddy whispered instantly, as if he’d been waiting for her to wake up for hours. “I was so worried… I thought they were hurting you… I thought they’d taken you away from me forever.” Merry looked at him, confused, still half asleep, memories flooding back — the crash, the news, the shouting, the glass… “Teddy?… how did you…?” “That nice lady brought me,” he said softly. His voice was calm, gentle… but serious. “The one with the blonde hair and blue eyes — Hannah. She opened the bag. She took me out. She carried me to you. She tucked me in.” He paused, his head tilting slightly. “Merry… listen to me… I need you to be brave now. Your mum… she’s gone now. She isn’t coming back. I know it hurts… I know it feels like your whole heart has broken… but don’t worry. I will always protect you. Nothing and no one will ever hurt you again, I promise you that.” He snuggled closer still. “And Hannah?… she’s good. She’s kind. She helped us. She didn’t throw me away. She brought me straight to you. We can trust her, Merry. She’s one of the good ones.” Merry held him tighter than she had ever held anything in her life.She had no mum. No dad. No home.But she had him.And she had Hannah. And for the first time all day… she felt safe.Page 35 – No Help Hannah sat on the edge of the bed, looking down at Merry and Teddy cuddled together. “I’ve tried everywhere, love,” she said softly. “It’s the weekend. Social services are closed. No one can get hold of them until Monday morning. There’s nowhere safe I can take you right now.” She paused, swallowing hard, her eyes glistening. “And… truth is… I know exactly how you feel. I had a little girl once. She would have been just about your age now. I lost her… not long ago. I’m still healing… still trying to find my way back.” She reached out and gently touched Merry’s hand. “You don’t have to be alone tonight. Come home with me. Just for the weekend. It’ll be quiet. Safe. And on Monday, we’ll sort everything out properly. What do you say?” Merry looked up at her — really looked at her — and for the first time since her mum died… she smiled. A tiny, sad, broken little smile. “Can Teddy come too?” she whispered. Hannah smiled back, wiping a tear from her cheek. “Of course he can. He never leaves your side, does he? He’s family. He comes too.” Page 36 – Hannah’s Place They left the station together, hand in hand. Hannah’s car was small and warm. Merry sat in the back, Teddy tight in her arms.He whispered soft and low, only for her to hear. “She’s sad, Merry… like us… she’s got a broken heart too… we look after each other here… yeah?” Merry nodded, stroking his fur. They pulled up outside a small, pretty cottage on a quiet lane. Roses climbed the front wall. It was neat, tidy, and peaceful. Nothing like the chaos Merry had known her whole life. Inside, it smelled of fresh bread and lavender. It was warm, soft, and full of photos — pictures of a little girl with blonde hair and blue eyes, just like Hannah. Just like Merry. “This was hers,” Hannah said, pointing to a cosy room at the end of the hall. “You can sleep in here tonight. It’s all ready for you.” Merry walked in. A soft bed. Toys on the shelf. Colourful curtains.It was the nicest room she had ever seen. She sat down on the bed, Teddy still clutched tight.For the first time in her life… she felt like she was home. “Safe now…” Teddy murmured into her chest. “No one hurts you here. I promise.”Page 37 – Sarah’s Room Hannah took Merry down the hall to the back of the cottage.This was Sarah’s room — her daughter’s room. She hadn’t been able to clean it out or change a single thing since she died. It was beautiful. Pink and white walls, big soft bed, thick pink curtains, and a huge wooden dolls house standing proud in the corner. “This is your room for a few days, Merry,” Hannah said softly. “Thank you… it’s really pretty,” Merry whispered, running her hand along the bedspread. “Make yourself at home. I’ll be in the kitchen making us my special soup. My daughter used to love it more than anything.” Hannah left her to settle.Merry put Teddy right in the middle of the big bed, then knelt down on the floor to play with the dolls house. Teddy jumped straight down off the bed. He sat right beside her on the carpet, watching every move she made. “Do you like it here, Merry?” he asked quietly. “Yeah… it’s nice. Quiet. And Hannah’s lovely.” “We won’t be able to stay here though,” Teddy murmured. “They’ll move us on soon enough… they always do.” Page 38 – Soup and Bread Thirty minutes later Hannah popped her head round the door. “Soup’s done, love. Come and eat.” “Can I bring Teddy too?” Merry asked. “Course you can. You don’t need to ask. This is your house while you’re here — his too.” They sat at a big solid wooden table in the kitchen.The whole place smelled of fresh bread and hot, steaming soup.Merry sat Teddy on his own little chair right next to her, just like he was a real person. She took a sip of the warm soup. It tasted amazing. Rich, warm, full of flavour. “Do you like it?” Hannah smiled. “It’s lovely… thank you.” WOOF! WOOF! Merry jumped. “What’s that?” “Oh, that’s Max. He’s my dog. I’ll let him in.” The back door opened and a huge Alsatian trotted in — big, strong, fluffy tail wagging.He trotted straight over to Merry, sniffed her hand, licked her fingers, happy as anything. Then he turned his head.He sniffed the air.He looked straight at Teddy sitting in his chair. His tail stopped.His hackles went up.He bared his teeth. GGRRRRR… WOOF! GRRR! He growled deep in his throat, loud and angry, barking non‑stop right at Teddy. “Stop it, Max! Down! Bad boy!” Hannah shouted.But he wouldn’t stop. He just kept growling, eyes fixed hard on the bear. Merry started crying, terrified.Hannah grabbed him tight by the collar and dragged him kicking and snarling outside, shutting him hard in his kennel in the garden. She came back in, breathless, shutting the door tight. Merry wiped her eyes. “He hated him… why did he hate him?” Teddy sat still as stone in his chair.He leaned close to Merry’s ear, voice low and dark. “That dog just upset you, Merry… he scared you… he made you cry…” He mumbled the rest to himself, so quiet only she could hear. “…stupid dog… shouldn’t have done that… now I’ve got to teach you a lesson, haven’t I?”Page 39 – Night Time They finished their soup and bread. Merry yawned big and stretched her arms out. “I’m getting tired now,” she said softly. “Come on then, love. Bedtime for you.” Hannah took her by the hand back down the hall to Sarah’s room. She tucked her in nice and tight under the covers, then placed Teddy right there in her arms just like she wanted. “Sleep tight, Merry. I’ll see you in the morning.” She closed the door, leaving it just a tiny bit open — just a slit — so a little bit of light from the hallway came in. It was late now. 11pm.The whole cottage was silent. Pitch black outside. No noise at all.Max was locked away out in the kennel in the garden.Hannah was fast asleep in her room.Merry was fast asleep too, breathing slow and deep. Then… Teddy’s head moved. Slowly.He turned to look at the small gap in the door.His glass eye glinted in the dark. He slipped out of Merry’s grip without making a sound.Jumped down off the bed.Soft paws hit the carpet — silent as a shadow. He made his way quietly down the hall and into the kitchen.He climbed up onto the worktop.There on the side was the leftover bread from their dinner.Next to it… the big heavy knife used for cutting it. He grabbed hold of the knife. It was big in his little hands, but he held it tight.He carried it over to the back door.He climbed up the dog flap, undid the catch with a quick flick of his paw, and pushed it open wide enough to get through. Page 40 – The Trap He stepped out into the cold dark garden.Quiet as death. He walked slowly over to the kennel.Max was awake. His eyes were wide, staring out through the bars. He could smell him. He knew he was there. But Teddy vanished.He stepped quietly round to the back of the wooden kennel.Max blinked, looked around, and shut his eyes again — thinking whatever it was had gone. Teddy picked up a chunk of the bread.He threw it hard against the back wall of the kennel. THUMP. Max jumped up, ears pricked.He let out a small, confused whine.He pushed the door open and trotted out into the dark garden, sniffing the air.He walked all around the kennel… but nothing was there.Just the piece of bread lying on the grass. Max ate it quickly, tail low, still unsure.Then he turned and walked back toward the front entrance of his kennel to go back inside. As he stepped through the doorway… STAB. STAB. STAB. STAB. STAB. STAB. STAB. STAB. Straight through the top of the dog’s head.Eight times fast and hard. CRUNCH. SCRAPE. CRACK. Bone splitting. Skull breaking. Brain matter sticking to the blade. Max let out one sharp, high yelp… then fell straight down.Lying in a puddle of dark blood. Head cut to bits. Destroyed. Teddy stood over him, knife dripping red. “Not so loud now, are you Max?” he whispered into the dark. Page 41 – Clean Up He turned and ran back across the grass.Back through the dog flap.He pulled it shut behind him, clicking the catch back into place exactly how it was. He climbed back up onto the kitchen table.Over to the sink.He turned the cold tap on.Scrubbed the knife under the water.Squirted washing‑up liquid onto the blade and onto his fur.Washed every single drop of blood away until the water ran clear.Dried it all off on the tea towel.Put the knife back exactly where he found it. Not a trace left.Not a sound made. He crept back down the hall, back into the bedroom.Climbed up the sheets.Settled himself right back into Merry’s arms exactly where he had been before. She shifted in her sleep, mumbling softly. “S’okay… Merry… sleep now…” Teddy whispered, snuggling close. “Don’t you worry… he won’t ever upset you again…” And Merry, fast asleep, mumbled something back into the dark… but Teddy didn’t listen. He just closed his eyes and waited for morning.TED PAGE 42 Morning arrived bright and clear, a beautiful sunny day with golden light creeping through the cottage windows, lighting up every corner of the kitchen. It was 6:00 AM when Hannah’s alarm clock buzzed loudly beside her bed. She stirred, let out a long, big yawn, stretched her arms right up over her head to wake herself up properly, then reached out and tapped the button to silence it. She got out of bed, slipped on her dressing gown, and wandered into the bathroom to brush her teeth, getting ready for the day ahead. Once she was done, she headed downstairs into the kitchen, the smell of fresh morning air drifting in through the open window. She made her usual morning coffee and popped two slices of bread into the toaster, humming softly to herself. PAGE 43 When her breakfast was ready, she picked up her mug of steaming coffee and walked over to the back door. She unlocked it, pulled it wide open, and called out, expecting the usual chaos. Normally, Max would come charging straight in, tail wagging, heading straight for his bowl — but this morning… nothing. Silence. She walked back to the table, sat down, and waited… but still, no sound, no paws on the floor, no happy barks. “Max? Come on boy, breakfast time,” she called out again. Still nothing. She got back up, a little confused now, opened the cupboard, pulled out the big box of dog biscuits, and rattled it loudly — the sound that usually brought him running from anywhere in the garden. “Max! Max, here boy!” she shouted, pouring a big pile of food into his bowl and placing it on the floor by the door. She waited again… absolute silence. PAGE 44 Picking her coffee back up, she walked out through the open door, down the step, and headed towards the kennel at the bottom of the garden. She called his name once more… then suddenly she stopped dead in her tracks. Her feet froze to the spot. Her hand went limp. The coffee cup slipped from her fingers, smashing on the paving stones, hot liquid splashing everywhere — she didn’t even notice. Her hands flew up to cover her mouth, her eyes went wide as saucers, and she let out a blood‑curdling, ear‑piercing scream that echoed right across the fields and woke Merry instantly upstairs. Merry jumped straight out of bed, leaving Teddy sitting propped up on the pillows, and ran out onto the landing. “Hannah?! HANNAH?!” she yelled, panic rising in her chest. PAGE 45 Hannah was standing there, shaking, pale as a ghost, tears already streaming down her face, too shocked to even speak — she’d completely forgotten Merry was even in the house. Merry ran down the stairs and out into the garden. “What’s wrong Hannah?! What’s happened?!” Then Merry looked past her… and she saw it too. It was a horrific mess. Max lay there, butchered beyond recognition. His fur was matted and stiff with thick, dry blood that covered every inch of him. His head was cut and smashed to bits, bones sticking out where they shouldn’t be. It was a scene of absolute carnage. Hannah snapped out of her trance, grabbed Merry by the shoulders, and pushed her back towards the house. “Merry get back! Go inside! NOW!” she ordered, her voice cracking with shock and fear. PAGE 46 She was in total disbelief at what she was seeing. She stepped closer, her legs trembling, and knelt down beside the broken body of her dog. “Max… oh Max… what the fuck has happened to you?!” she sobbed, stroking what was left of his fur. As she moved him gently, she saw it… right through a huge split in his skull… she could see his brain, pink and raw, peeking out from the bone. The sight was too much. She doubled over and threw up violently all over the side of the kennel, crying and heaving, unable to control herself. “Go inside Merry! Please… just go inside!” she cried again, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand. Merry stood watching from the doorway, tears pouring down her cheeks, terrified and confused. She turned and ran back into the house, straight up the stairs, and burst into her room. PAGE 47 She grabbed Teddy up tight, squeezing him against her chest, shaking and sobbing. Teddy’s button eyes stared blankly at her, his stitched smile fixed in place. His little voice box spoke up, soft and calm as ever.“What’s up, Merry? Why are you crying?” “It’s… it’s Max… Max is dead!” she wept. “He’s all broken and bloody… he’s dead!” “I told you he wouldn’t bother you again,” Teddy said, his voice completely flat and emotionless. Merry froze. She pulled him away from her face and looked right into his eyes. “Wha‑… what do you mean?” she whispered, horrified. “I did it for you, Merry. He was growling at you. He was dangerous. I protected you. Just like I promised.” PAGE 48 Merry dropped him onto the bed like he was burning hot. She backed away, staring at him in horror.“No… no Teddy! No! You didn’t have to do that! Why would you kill Hannah’s dog?! I like Hannah! She’s nice to us!” She grabbed him up again, but this time in anger and fear, and CHUCKED HIM FULL FORCE AT THE WALL. He hit the plasterboard with a loud THUD and dropped to the floor, silent and still. Merry ran out of the room, down the stairs, and straight out to Hannah, who was still crying over Max. She grabbed Hannah’s arm, pulling at her desperately. “It was Ted! Hannah it was Ted! He did it! I know he did!” PAGE 49 Hannah looked at her, her eyes red and swollen, shaking her head slowly. She pulled Merry into a tight hug, stroking her hair to calm her down. “Not now, Merry… please. Not now love. I have to figure out who’s done this… someone did this… and I know exactly who it is.” She stood up, rage suddenly replacing the shock on her face. Her fists clenched tight, her jaw set hard.She thought straight away about her neighbour from two doors down. The man she’d had a massive screaming argument with only a few weeks before. The one who was always complaining that Max barked too much… the one who went mad because Max had pooped on his perfect lawn… the one who had shouted threats through the fence. She looked down at the broken, bloody mess of her dog, and her face turned dark and angry.“It was him… I know it was him. Sick bastard… I’ll kill him for this. He’s gonna pay for this.” She looked back at Merry, wiping her tears and forcing a brave face.“Sorry hun… you go inside and stay there. I need to sort this out… and I need to sort him out too.”PAGE 61 Ten minutes later, Jackie’s car pulled up outside — her petrol engine humming quietly. Hannah looked out the window and saw her; she was still in her full police uniform, all buttoned up and smart. Jackie walked straight to the door and knocked firmly. Hannah peered through the glass to check who it was, and Jackie waved her hand, signalling “let me in quick”. Hannah unlocked the door and pulled it open, her face still pale and tear‑stained. “Jackie… I’m so glad you came. It’s been absolutely horrible,” she said, her voice cracking. “Alright, alright… I know,” Jackie said, stepping inside and closing the door behind her. “You stay here with Merry. I’ll go round there and speak to him. I’ll handle it in a professional manner, see what he’s got to say for himself.” PAGE 62 “Okay…” Hannah nodded, stepping back, still shaking with anger. Jackie marched straight out the door, down the path, and round to the neighbour’s house. Twenty whole minutes passed. Hannah paced up and down the kitchen floor, checking the window every two seconds, fists clenched tight, ready to explode. Finally, she saw Jackie walking back down the drive, hands in her pockets, looking serious. Hannah ran out to meet her before she even got to the gate. “Well?!” Hannah demanded immediately. “What did he have to say for himself? Did he admit it? Did he deny it?” Jackie shook her head slowly. “He told me he was out all night at his sister’s house in the next village. Said he only got back about thirty minutes before I knocked. Claims he hasn’t got a clue what I was talking about… said he hasn’t seen Max or been near your garden.” PAGE 63 Hannah’s face went bright red, her hands balled into fists so tight her knuckles turned white. “HE’S LYING!” she shouted, voice echoing across the street. “He’s lying through his teeth! I know he did it! Let me go round there — I’ll get the truth out of him! I’ll make him admit it!” She made to march past Jackie, ready for a fight, but Jackie grabbed her arm firmly and held her back. “Hannah, no. That is not a good idea. You go round there screaming and shouting, you’ll only get yourself in trouble, and he’ll play the victim. It’s exactly what he wants.” Hannah stopped, breathing hard, tears of rage spilling over again. “Then what do we do? He’s got away with it? He killed my baby and just gets away with it?!” PAGE 64 “Listen to me,” Jackie said, softening her voice. “I think you and Merry should both come down to the station with me. Get out of this house for a bit, get your head straight, have a chat, clear your mind. It’ll do you good, yeah?” Hannah took a deep breath, wiped her eyes, and nodded slowly. “You’re right… you’re always right. Yeah, okay. Let’s go.” She turned back to the house and called up the stairs. “Merry! Come on love, get your coat on! We’re going for a little drive with Auntie Jackie, alright?” “Okay!” Merry’s voice came back cheerful from her room. Hannah walked around the house quickly, checking every window was locked, every door bolted tight, making sure everything was safe before they left. PAGE 65 As she walked past Merry’s bedroom door, she stopped. Lying right there on the floor, just outside the doorway, was Teddy. He was face‑down, arms spread out, looking like he’d been thrown there or dropped and forgotten about. Hannah bent down and picked him up, dusting him off. “What you doing out here on the floor, eh?” she asked him quietly. “Come on Ted… you’re coming too. We’re going for a drive. Merry will want you with her.” She carried him downstairs, out to the car, and climbed into the back seat next to Merry. She handed him over to her. “Here you go love — you forgot him. Do you think I should have brought him? After… well… after everything that’s happened?” PAGE 66 Merry grabbed Teddy instantly and held him tight against her chest, her little face serious and determined. “After what he done? It’s not yours or Teddy’s fault, Hannah,” she said, repeating exactly what Hannah had told her earlier. “He’s my best friend. He didn’t do nothing wrong.” Hannah smiled sadly and stroked Merry’s hair. “Alright then… if you say so, love. There you go then, safe and sound.” Merry squeezed Teddy tight. His button eyes stared blankly ahead, his stitched smile still fixed perfectly in place. If you didn’t know better, you’d swear he looked pleased with himself. Jackie started the engine and pulled away from the curb, heading towards town. “You alright back there, Merry?” Jackie asked, glancing in the mirror. “Do you want an ice cream on the way? We can stop at the diner if you like?” PAGE 67 Merry’s face lit up instantly, all the sadness vanishing for a second. “Yes please! Can I have a big one? With sprinkles?!” “Course you can love. Big one with sprinkles coming right up,” Jackie laughed. She turned the car left, heading down the main road, and pulled into the car park of the little roadside diner — the same one they’d been to a hundred times before. It was bright, busy, warm inside, and smelled of hot food and sugar. She parked up right near the door, killed the engine, and turned round in her seat to face them both. “Right then — stay seated a second, I’ll go in and get them. You want your usual, Hannah? Coffee and a cake?” “Please,” Hannah said quietly, staring out the window, her mind still stuck back in the garden next to Max’s grave.PAGE 68 They pulled into the police station car park and switched the engine off. Merry was still sat in the back, one hand holding her half‑eaten ice cream, the other clamped tight around Teddy’s arm, refusing to let go of either. “Come on then love, let’s go inside,” Hannah said, helping her out of the car and guiding her towards the main doors. “I’ll be in in a minute, I’ve just got a couple of things to sort out first,” Jackie called, heading off towards the front desk. Hannah walked Merry down the long corridor towards the little playroom at the end — a safe, bright room they used for kids who came in. Halfway down, a Sergeant spotted them and waved her over from an open office door. “Hannah? Can I have a quick word please?” he called out. PAGE 69 “One second sir, won’t be a minute,” she replied. She crouched down to Merry’s level, pointing into the playroom. “You wait in there for me yeah? I’ll be back soon as I can.” She glanced inside — the TV had been fixed at last, and cartoons were playing loud and bright on the screen. There was a soft pink rug right in the middle of the floor. “Go on, sit down there, finish your ice cream. I won’t be long.” Merry nodded, walked in, and plonked herself right in the centre of the pink rug. She sat cross‑legged, Teddy resting beside her, and carried on eating, her eyes fixed on the colourful pictures moving on the wall. Hannah closed the door gently and stepped into the Sergeant’s office. PAGE 70 “Have a seat Hannah,” he said, leaning forward over his desk. “I’ve got some good news for you actually. I’ve been on the phone all day trying to get through to people — child services was shut today, so I tracked down an emergency foster home number instead. These lot come highly recommended, brilliant record, look after their kids like they’re their own.” Hannah’s heart sank instantly, though she tried to keep her face calm. “Their names are Sue and Bob,” he carried on. “And as it happens… they’re actually here right now, sitting in the break room. I was going to call you later, but seeing as you’re already here… would you be willing to take Merry through to meet them? Now? Today?” PAGE 71 “Now? Today?” Hannah stammered, her voice shaking. “But… but I need to tell you something first. About earlier… about my dog… Max… I think—” “You don’t need to explain,” he said gently, holding his hand up to stop her. “Jackie told me everything after you rang her. We know what happened. And I know Merry might have seen it all. That’s exactly why Sue and Bob are perfect. They specialise in this sort of thing.” He sat back in his chair. “They’ve got a big nine‑bedroom house out in the country, huge garden all around it, plenty of space to run about. They’ve done all the courses, all the training — they know exactly how to handle children who’ve been through trauma or bad experiences. She’ll be safe there, Hannah. Really safe.” PAGE 72 Hannah felt tears pricking her eyes. She didn’t want Merry to go — not one bit. She wanted to wrap her up, take her home, keep her close, protect her from everything. But she knew deep down she didn’t have a choice. It wasn’t up to her. It was the law. “Okay…” she whispered, wiping her cheek. “Alright. I’ll explain it to her, and I’ll take her through.” She stood up, walked back to the playroom door, and went inside. Merry was still sat on the pink rug, ice cream finished, Teddy now back in her arms. “Merry? Come here a minute love, I need to talk to you properly,” Hannah said softly, kneeling down beside her. PAGE 73 “I don’t want to go,” Merry said straight away, before Hannah had even started. Her lip was already trembling. “I want to stay with you. I like it at your house. I don’t wanna go anywhere else.” Hannah pulled her into a hug, holding her tight while she explained as gently as she could. “I know you do, baby… I know. And I want you to stay more than anything in the world. But… it’s not my choice. It’s the rules, it’s the law. And these people I’m taking you to meet? They’re really nice. They’ve got a massive house, loads of room, a huge garden to play in… and they know all about being sad or scared. They’ll look after you properly, I promise.” Merry didn’t say anything, just held onto Teddy tighter than ever. PAGE 74 Hannah stood up and took her hand, leading her out of the room and down the hall to the break room door. She pushed it open gently. Sue was stood by the window — an older lady, tall, with soft brown hair, warm and kind‑looking, the type you could trust straight away. Everyone knew her; she went to the local church every Sunday. Bob was smaller, bald head, round friendly face, smiling gently. He was the Vicar of that same church, well known and loved all over the village. “Hello there Merry,” Sue said softly, stepping forward slowly so she wouldn’t scare her. Merry just stood behind Hannah’s leg, peeking out, not saying a word, holding Teddy right up against her face like a shield. PAGE 75 “And who have we got here then?” Sue asked, pointing gently towards the bear peeking out from Merry’s hands. Still Merry said nothing, just gripped him harder. Hannah stepped in. “This is Teddy. He’s her best friend. Goes everywhere with her, sleeps with her, eats with her… everything. He’s part of her. Please… make sure she always has him, yeah? Never take him away from her. It’s really important.” “Of course we will,” Sue smiled. “Whatever Merry needs, she gets. Isn’t that right Bob?” “Absolutely,” Bob nodded. “He’s part of the family now too.” Hannah took a breath. “Would it be okay… if I came to visit her? Whenever I can?” PAGE 76 “Of course you can,” Sue said immediately, reaching into her pocket and pulling out a card with their address and number on it. “Here’s all our details. Just give us a ring before you come, make sure we’re in, and you’re welcome anytime. You’re part of her life too, Hannah — we know that.” Hannah knelt down again, right in front of Merry, holding her shoulders. “You heard that love? I can come and see you whenever I want. I’ll be there all the time, I promise you. You won’t get rid of me that easy.” Merry didn’t smile, didn’t say a word — she just stepped forward and wrapped her arms tight around Hannah’s legs, burying her face in her dress. “Yes… yes please… I want you to come,” she whispered.PAGE 77 Hannah stood on the steps of the police station, watching as Sue took Merry’s hand and led her towards their big, old, black car parked right at the far end of the lot. It looked expensive, old‑fashioned, dark wood trim inside, windows tinted just enough so you couldn’t really see in properly. Bob walked slowly behind them, smiling that same fixed, polite smile — never changing, never reaching his eyes. He opened the back door and helped Merry climb in. She held Teddy so tight her knuckles were white, staring straight out at Hannah, not crying, not speaking, just looking… like she was saying goodbye forever. Hannah waved, forcing a smile that hurt her face to hold.“I’ll be there soon! I promise! Every week! You be good yeah?!” Merry nodded slowly as Bob closed the door with a heavy, solid THUD. PAGE 78 Sue got into the driver’s seat, smoothed her dress down neatly, and adjusted her mirror. She glanced back at Merry in the rear view, her eyes locking onto Teddy instantly. Her smile widened just a tiny bit — something hungry, something knowing, flashed across her face for a split second before it went back to sweet and kind. “And you’ve brought your little friend too… how lovely,” she said softly, almost whispering. Bob got in the passenger side, turned round fully to face Merry, and stared right at the bear in her arms.“We love toys, don’t we Sue? We collect them. All kinds. Old ones… special ones… ones with spirits inside them…” Sue laughed gently, a soft, breathless sound.“Don’t be daft Bob… he’s just a teddy bear. But yes… he’s very welcome. Everything and everyone is welcome in the house of the Lord.” She started the engine — it purred deep and low, sounding almost alive — and pulled out of the station car park. PAGE 79 Behind them, Hannah got into her own car, rested her head on the steering wheel for a moment, and let the tears fall freely now no one could see her. She felt empty, broken… but deep down, a tiny little voice in her head was whispering that something wasn’t right. Something about Sue’s eyes… something about the way Bob stared at Teddy… Up ahead, their car turned off the main road long before you got to the village, heading down a narrow, overgrown lane lined with tall, thick hedges that blocked out almost all the sunlight. It twisted and turned, going deeper and deeper into the woods, further away from any other houses, any roads, any people. Merry peered out the window, clutching Teddy tight.“Where are we going? I thought you lived near the church?” PAGE 80 Bob turned back round to look at her again, that same unblinking smile on his face.“Oh we do, my dear… we do. But this is our special house. Our sanctuary. Where we go to be closer to God. Away from all the noise and sin of the village.” Sue nodded, her hands gripping the steering wheel so hard her fingers were white.“It’s a beautiful place, Merry. Peaceful. Quiet. Full of history… and power. We’ve been waiting for someone like you for a long time. And for your little friend too…” She glanced in the mirror again, right at Teddy. And if Merry hadn’t been so upset, she might have noticed… that Teddy’s head had turned on its own.He was staring right back at Sue through the glass.And his stitched smile… it was bigger than ever. “New house… new rules… new fun…” his tiny voice whispered, so quiet only Merry could hear.PAGE 81 They rounded the final bend in the lane, and suddenly there it was — towering above the trees, blocking out the sky. Right in front of them stood massive double iron gates, black as night, twisted spikes reaching high up like claws. On the big thick iron post beside it was an old rusted intercom box, wires hanging loose, looking like it hadn’t been cleaned in fifty years. Sue slowed the car right down, pulled up close, and leaned out her window. She pressed the big red button and held it in. “Hellllooooo…” she called out, long and slow, her voice echoing off the metal. A second later, a voice crackled through the speaker — old, croaky, dry as dust, and completely hollow.“You’re back… I seen you coming… I’m opening up…” PAGE 82 With a loud CLUNK and a deep groan of rusty hinges, the huge gates began to swing slowly inwards, revealing the long gravel drive leading up to the house. Right at the very top of the steps, the big double front doors stood wide open. Standing dead centre was an old woman — tiny, hunched, ancient‑looking. She must have been eighty‑eight years old at least. She wore long, black, heavy Victorian dress that trailed on the floor, and big black boots shaped almost like witch’s shoes, pointed at the toes. Her hair was pure white, fuzzy and sticking out all over her head like she’d shoved her fingers straight into an electric socket. Her eyes were wide, wild, and staring right at the car. PAGE 83 Either side of her stood two children, perfectly still, hands clasped in front of them. They were dressed exactly the same — black shorts, crisp white shirts, black sandals. Both of them had their heads shaved completely bald, skin smooth and shiny right on top. One was a boy, one was a girl. They didn’t smile, didn’t wave, didn’t move a muscle. They just stared. Sue drove the car slowly up the drive and parked right in front of the steps. She switched the engine off, and the silence that rushed in was heavy and thick. Sue and Bob got out straight away, smoothing their clothes, walking up towards the old woman like she was royalty. Merry stayed in the back seat. She hadn’t let go of Teddy once the whole journey. Her fingers were dug into his fur so hard her nails were nearly going through. She didn’t want to get out. She really didn’t want to go in there. PAGE 84 “Come on then love… out you come,” Sue said, turning back and holding her hand out. Merry hesitated, then climbed out slowly, standing on the gravel, looking up at the house. It was huge — big white walls, tall narrow windows, every single one covered with big heavy black shutters. It looked like a face with its eyes closed… or covered… hiding what was going on inside. “Come on Merry, don’t be scared,” Bob said softly, stepping beside her. “This is Elizabeth… and this is John. They’ve been waiting for you. Go on… say hello.” Elizabeth stepped down the stairs towards her. She was eleven years old, tall and thin, completely bald, skin pale as paper. She stopped right in front of Merry and reached out, taking her hand in hers. Her hand was ice cold, hard, and stiff — like holding a statue. PAGE 85 “Come on,” Elizabeth whispered, her voice flat and empty. “I’ll show you around. Everything has its place here. You’ll learn.” Merry looked up at her, terrified, but nodded anyway. “Okay…” They started walking towards the big open doors, Bob and Sue following close behind, the old woman still standing dead still at the top, watching every step. Then Elizabeth stopped, turned her head slowly right round to look at Merry’s arms — right at Teddy. A tiny, twisted little smile touched her lips. “Leave your teddy with John if you want,” she said, nodding towards the bald boy standing still as a post. “He’ll look after him for you. No need to carry him round everywhere.” Merry pulled Teddy even tighter against her chest, backing away a step, eyes narrowing. “No. He stays with me.”PAGE 86 The second they stepped over the threshold and into the house, something moved fast out of the shadows. A huge black cat shot down from the top of the doorframe, flew straight through the air, and landed right on Merry’s arm — staring dead at Teddy, back arched, hissing loud and nasty right in his face. “GOOOO AWAY RAVEN!” Elizabeth screamed, lunging forward and swiping the cat off. It hit the floor, spat at Teddy one more time, then vanished into the dark like it had never been there. “NO SHOUTING IN THE HOUSE!” Bob’s voice boomed out, deep and sharp, echoing off the walls. Merry’s face dropped instantly — she recognised that tone. Cold, hard, no arguing, no excuses. Exactly the voice she’d heard too many times before. “What have I told you about noise?!” Bob snapped, glaring right at Elizabeth. PAGE 87 “Sorry…” Elizabeth whispered, head bowed, hands clasped tight in front of her again, right back to that empty, dead‑eyed look she had before. Merry stood still for a second, catching her breath, and looked around. The whole house was lit only by candles. Hundreds of them. Long black candlesticks stood everywhere — on tables, on shelves, lining the walls, right up the stairs. Every single one burned with a tall, steady orange flame, casting long, dancing shadows that moved and twisted like people all around them. Right above the middle of the hallway hung a massive old black chandelier, heavy and twisted, filled with even more candles, lighting up the whole ceiling in a warm, flickering glow. “This way,” Elizabeth said quietly, starting to walk. PAGE 88 The floorboards were old and warped, and every single step they took let out a loud, long creak — groaning and crying out like the house itself didn’t want them walking on it. They climbed the big spiral staircase, turning round and round, the candles lighting their way up, shadows following close behind. At the top, they turned right and headed down a long, dark corridor. Both sides of the walls were covered floor to ceiling with old oil paintings. Dark, dusty frames holding pictures of people from hundreds of years ago. Men, women, children… all staring straight out at you, eyes following you as you walked past. Their faces were pale, serious, cold — none of them smiling, none of them happy. PAGE 89 Some of the paintings were so old the paint was cracking and peeling, making the faces look twisted and rotten. Merry walked close behind Elizabeth, clutching Teddy tight to her chest, heart pounding fast. She was terrified. Every shadow looked like something hiding. Every creak sounded like footsteps behind them. Every pair of painted eyes felt like they were watching her soul. But Teddy? Teddy felt perfectly fine. In fact, as they got deeper and deeper into the house, further away from the doors, further away from the outside world… Teddy started to feel more and more at home. PAGE 90 His little stitched smile stretched wider and wider across his face. His button eyes glinted in the candlelight. He could feel the history in these walls. He could feel the darkness, the secrets, the power that had lived here for centuries. “Yes…” his tiny voice whispered right inside Merry’s head, so quiet no one else could hear. “This place… this is where we belong. Dark… old… full of spirits… just like us.” He stared back at the painted faces on the walls, nodding slightly like he knew every single one of them. He stared at the candles burning black smoke into the air. He stared at the shadows dancing in the corners. And he smiled bigger than ever. “New house… new games… perfect…”PAGE 91 They walked slowly down the long dark corridor until they reached the very last door on the left. Elizabeth stopped, placed both hands on the old iron handle, and pushed. The hinges screamed loud and long as the door swung open into darkness. “Come in, Merry…” Elizabeth whispered, stepping inside. The room was cold and damp. The air smelled of wet wood and rot. The floor was made of bare, rough wooden planks, hard and freezing under your feet. In the far corner stood a small white table, and on it sat just one single candle, burned halfway down its holder, thick black wax dripping slowly onto the wood below. Right next to it was a black‑and‑white wooden dolls house, small and perfect, tiny windows and doors just like a real home. “You can play with the dolls if you want,” Elizabeth said softly. PAGE 92 “Okay…” Merry nodded, glad of something normal to do. She sat down cross‑legged on the cold floor, placed Teddy carefully down beside her, and began moving the little wooden figures around inside the house. Elizabeth stood watching her for a moment, her face blank and empty. “I’m just going downstairs for a minute,” she said. “You stay here. I won’t be long.” “Alright… I’ll just play here,” Merry replied, not looking up, completely focused on her game. Just before she closed the door, Elizabeth reached down, picked Teddy up quietly, and walked off down the hall with him in her arms. Merry didn’t even notice — she was too busy making the dolls talk to each other. Elizabeth walked fast and silent down the stairs, through the dark house, and right to a small room at the very back, hidden away from everything. PAGE 93 The door was slightly ajar. She pushed it open and stepped inside. Sue, Bob and John were all stood in a circle around the floor. Right in the centre, drawn thick and dark in dried blood, was a perfect pentagram. In the middle of the shape stood a huge thick candle, burning with a strange, deep red flame that didn’t flicker or move. In every corner of the room stood tall wooden cabinets, glass fronts, filled with rows and rows of dolls, teddy bears, dummies and toys — all staring out, all looking scary and twisted. Sue and John were dressed in long black hooded cloaks, covering them from head to toe. Bob stood at the front, wearing a bright red cloak, the colour of fresh blood. “At last…” Bob growled, his voice deep and evil. “Bring him here… give me the first born.” He started laughing — a low, dirty, evil sound that echoed off the walls. PAGE 94 Elizabeth walked forward and placed Teddy right into Bob’s large hands. Then she pulled a black cloak over her own shoulders and stepped into the circle beside the others. They all stood around the blood‑drawn star, Bob holding Teddy right in the centre. “Get the head,” Bob commanded. Sue turned and hurried into another back room, coming back a moment later carrying a goat’s severed head by the horns. Blood dripped thick and fast from its neck, splashing onto the floor as she walked. She reached out with her long, sharp fingernails, ripped each eye clean out of the skull, and pressed them deep into the points of the pentagram. Then she lifted the head up and stuck it right on top of the big candle spike, the red flame shooting straight out through the empty eye sockets. The room glowed red and hot. PAGE 95 “We know exactly what you are, Teddy…” Bob whispered, staring right into his button eyes. “We felt you the moment you stepped through the gate. We have been sent here to find you… and to kill you.” He held Teddy right up to his face, inches away. “We know your history… we know Merry’s grandma made you using pure black magic… you are the son of the Devil’s own son… born of hell itself.” His smile grew wider and darker. “We want your power. We collect every spirit from the underworld… trap them… lock them away in our magical cupboards. And you… you will be our greatest prize.” They all started chanting, voices rising together, loud and low, shaking the walls. “By the power of Satan… I release you from this shell… ha ha sa sa… ha ha sa sa… By the power of the Devil… we revoke you… we take you… we own you…” PAGE 96 The room started spinning, colours swirling — red, blue, yellow, flashing fast, making them dizzy. They chanted faster and faster, louder and louder, the red flame growing huge and wild. Candles all over the house began flickering violently, dancing back and forth, shadows racing everywhere. Upstairs, Merry looked up, scared. She could hear the noise, feel the house shaking, see the lights going mad. She clamped her hands over her ears and screamed at the top of her voice — loud, clear, terrified. “TEDDY!!!” Downstairs, the chanting hit its peak. Bob held Teddy tight, ready to rip him apart and steal his soul. But Teddy heard that scream. His head turned slowly on his shoulders, clicking loud. He reached into his fur, pulled out the long silver safety pin he had taken from Hannah’s house days before… BANG! PAGE 97 He drove it straight and hard right into Bob’s left eye. Blood sprayed everywhere, soaking Teddy’s fur red. Bob screamed in agony, dropping him, clutching his face. Teddy didn’t stop — he stabbed again and again, ripping and tearing, pulling the eye right out of the socket on the end of the pin. The spell was broken. The red flame died instantly. Bob kicked out in blind rage, launching Teddy across the room. He hit the big wooden cupboard and crashed to the floor, but still held the safety pin tight in his paw. “GET HIM! GET THE TEDDY!” Bob screamed, blood pouring through his fingers. “He’s butchered me! Get him before he escapes!” Sue rushed to Bob’s side, but Elizabeth and John were already chasing. Teddy didn’t wait — he bolted straight out the door and into the big kitchen, the three of them hot on his heels. PAGE 98 He jumped up onto a chair, then onto the big wooden prep table. Right there, lying ready on the chopping block, was a massive, heavy meat cleaver, blade sharp and shiny. Then… he vanished. “John — check the kitchen! We’ll search the other rooms!” Sue shouted. John crept slowly in, hand out in front of him, eyes straining to see in the dim candlelight. The floorboards creaked with every step. He checked behind the door — nothing. He span round fast… and saw Teddy’s huge shadow race across the wall, made massive by the candle flame. “I SEE YOU TEDDY!” he yelled, stepping forward. Before he could move again, Teddy flew down from the top of the cabinet, cleaver held high, and drove it straight through the centre of John’s chest. PAGE 99 The blade went right through him, out the back, and stuck fast. Teddy hung onto the handle, swinging his whole weight, yanking it down hard, slicing through ribs, guts, intestines… ripping his heart, liver and lungs clean open. He dropped to his feet, cleaver still in hand. John fell backwards, hitting the floor hard, dead instantly, blood and insides pouring out everywhere, covering the floorboards. Elizabeth came running in screaming, slipped straight over John’s body, and fell face‑first into the big candle stand. Her black cloak caught fire immediately. She screamed as the flames raced up her body, turning her into a human bonfire. Her hair burned away in seconds, her skin melted and dripped off her face, sizzling as it hit the wood. The smell of burning flesh filled the whole house. She collapsed and didn’t move again. And now… the house was on fire. Flames raced up the curtains, along the tables, eating through the old dry wood. PAGE 100 Sue ran in and saw it all — her son dead, her daughter burning, the house going up in smoke. She screamed so loud her throat ripped raw. “I’LL Fucking KILL YOU TEDDY!!!” Bob came stumbling out of the ritual room, one eye hanging out of his face, blood all over his clothes, roaring with pain and rage. “Fucking GET HIM! HE’S BUTCHERED OUR CHILDREN!” They both charged towards the stairs, wild with hate. Upstairs, Merry was still on the floor, hands over her ears, crying, terrified. “Merry! Merry we need to GO! GET UP NOW!” Teddy shouted, running into the room, torn arm hanging off, covered in blood, cleaver still in hand. Merry jumped up instantly and grabbed his free paw. PAGE 101 They ran out of the bedroom, but Sue and Bob were already halfway up the stairs, climbing fast, faces twisted in hate. “THIS WAY!” Teddy yelled. He led her to the very end of the hall, up a tiny, narrow spiral staircase, and burst through the door into the big dark attic. It was huge, dusty, full of old junk. Right in the centre stood a massive old oak chest, iron bound and heavy. “Get behind that! NOW!” Teddy ordered. Merry squeezed herself behind it, shaking. Teddy stood right by the door, hidden, waiting, the meat cleaver raised high above his head. Sue charged through the open doorway, black cloak flying, holding a sharp knife in one hand and a meat hammer in the other. SWISH! Teddy swung the cleaver with all his strength, slashing both her legs wide open from knee to hip. PAGE 102 She screamed and fell face‑first to the floor, legs useless, blood pumping out fast. Teddy jumped forward, swung again, hard and fast… and sliced her head clean off her shoulders. It rolled across the floor, stopping right near Merry’s feet, eyes still open, staring blankly. Merry screamed and squeezed her eyes shut. BANG! Bob kicked Teddy hard across the room. He hit the far wall and slid down, torn arm almost falling off completely, covered in blood from head to toe. “NO MORE GAMES!” Bob roared, blind with rage. “I’M GOING TO KILL YOU BOTH SLOW!” He rushed forward, didn’t even see Merry hiding behind the chest. He picked Teddy up in one hand, grabbed his good arm, and ripped it right off. Then he grabbed his leg and started twisting, ready to tear him apart limb by limb. WHACK! WHACK! WHACK! PAGE 103 Bob stopped. His eyes went wide. He dropped Teddy. He felt a sharp, burning pain right between his legs. He looked down… and saw the big meat cleaver buried deep in his groin. His manhood lay severed on the floor beneath his cloak. He screamed high and loud, falling backwards. Merry stood over him, face set hard, eyes cold, covered in blood from head to toe. “LEAVE MY TEDDY ALONE!” She raised the cleaver again and again… slashing, hacking, stabbing, cutting… chopping him into pieces until he stopped moving completely. “Merry! Merry stop! He’s dead! He’s dead love… we need to go!” Teddy called out weakly. Thick black smoke filled the room, stinging their eyes, choking them. Flames burst up through the floorboards below, hot and hungry. PAGE 104 They ran back to the stairs but it was already too late — fire blocked the way, roaring hot, impossible to pass. “This way!” Teddy pointed. High up in the sloping roof was a small attic window, glass cracked and loose. Merry climbed up, pushed it open, and squeezed through. Teddy followed close behind. They jumped down onto the lower flat roof, then dangled from the edge and dropped safely onto the grass below. Behind them, the whole house went up in one massive explosion. Flames shot 100 feet into the air, lighting up the whole countryside, burning and melting every single thing inside. No one was getting out alive. They walked slowly back to the big iron gates, stood on the other side, watching it burn. Teddy held his torn arm in place, Merry’s clothes were soaked red with blood. PAGE 105 — THE END In the distance, sirens started wailing — getting louder and louder, coming fast. Behind the blue lights, Merry saw a familiar car speeding down the lane. Hannah was driving, Jackie beside her, police cars right behind. As Hannah got closer, she saw the two small figures stood by the gates. Her heart stopped. “THAT’S HER! THAT’S Fucking MERRY!!!” She slammed on the brakes, skidded to a halt, jumped out and ran. Merry saw her, ran as fast as she could, and jumped straight into Hannah’s arms, burying her face in her neck, crying and shaking. “You’re safe now love… you’re safe… I’ve got you… you’re safe…” Hannah whispered over and over, holding her tight, covered in blood and ash. Behind them, lying on the grass where Merry had dropped him, Teddy opened his button eyes wide. He looked straight at Merry, winked one eye slowly… and pressed his little paw to where his mouth would be. “Shhhhhhhhhhhhh…”