Shaking my head slowly I lean down to him. He flinches towards the wall at his back and I smile, hoping he can see my teeth.

‘Why?’ I whisper.

‘I’m sorry. Oh God, I’m so sorry, please forgive me,’ he begs.

That pisses me off so I reach out with a hand and he squeaks before I even make contact.

‘Please. It wasn’t my fault! Mum told me ta do it!’

My hand stops about halfway to its target, hovering between us.

‘You left me.’ I don’t have to fake the accusation in my voice.

‘They had you, Lane. There’s no comin back after that. Oh God, what are you?’

I have no more words. He’s just confirmed that he left my big sister and I want to kill him. I’m also deliberately not thinking too hard about it or it’ll distract me from my goal. I can’t ask too many questions or he’ll twig it isn’t Laney asking, but I can scare the shit out of him. I stretch my hand closer and he presses back into the wall, trying to climb through it. I trail one finger down his cheek and he whimpers.

‘It was the necklace. It did something and they came after me, Lane. I couldn’t get rid of em. Mum said I had to pass it on or they’d get me too.’

‘Coward,’ I snarl.

I don’t recognise myself in that moment, I just want to hurt him. I ease my hand down and around his neck, wrapping it softly there. A tangy smell rises from the bed and I take satisfaction in his humiliation.

‘Confess.’

‘I will. I will, I swear I will. First thing, tomorrow I’ll go straight to the cops.’

Tightening my grip a little I growl.

‘Your mum too,’ he squeaks even higher. ‘I’ll go to your mum and tell her where I left you. What I did.’

I lean as close to him as I can and stare at the holes where his eyes should be. His face is turned away from me, refusing to look. My other hand is already reaching for his sheet and I’m praying it doesn’t touch anything wet.

‘You better.’