‘I need you to understand that abducting the little brat wasn’t something I did on a whim. It’s something that matters to me. Something I’ve given a great deal of thought.’

‘Just get to the point, Henry, there’s a good boy. I haven’t got all day.’

Heath gritted his teeth and continued, resenting her more than he’d ever thought possible. ‘The little brat is in my class at school, if you must know. I tried to talk to her mother a week or so ago at the end of the school term. I intended to share my observations regarding her little brat’s recent emotional decline, because it amused me to do so. I so wanted to rub it in and watch the woman squirm. But would she listen? No, she would not. I smiled my best smile, I was polite, I was pleasant, but she looked down her nose at me as if I were nothing. She made some pathetic excuse about being in a rush to get the brat to a dental appointment. She even expressed regret and apologised before rushing away. But I knew what the bitch was really thinking. I’m just an assistant. I’m not a real teacher. She didn’t actually say it, not in so many words. But she may as well have.

‘I hated her with a blazing intensity from that moment. I wanted to make her suffer more than anyone has ever suffered before. I’ve never felt so slighted. Did you hear me, Mother? Are you as outraged as I was? The stuck-up bitch walked away as if I hadn’t said anything at all. As if I was a bit of dog shit on the sole of her overpriced shoe. As if I don’t matter. I shouldn’t have to put up with that. Nobody should. Who the fuck does the bitch think she is?’

‘So, what’s the problem? She was right. You are nothing, you stupid boy.’

He heard shrill female laugher that seemed to get louder, and penetrated his head like a drill.

He looked away, closing his eyes tight shut, but it didn’t drive her image from his mind. ‘Be quiet, Mother, please be quiet. I’m begging you. You’ve said enough.’

The laughter stopped as abruptly as it began. ‘No, what was I thinking? You’re worse than nothing. You did nothing but let your father and me down from the day you were born.’

Heath opened his eyes. He jumped to his feet in one adrenaline-fuelled bound, and rushed back towards the cage, shaking the bars. He could feel his mother’s breath on his neck as she circled him. ‘Can you see the little brat? Can you see her, Mother? I took her from her home, I imprisoned her, I drugged her, and when the time is right, I plan to kill her too. I’ve done all that by myself with no help from you or anybody else. That is true success, real power. The ability to decide who lives and who dies. Mark my words.