Trapped

Someone kicked me in the shin. Another stomped on my leg. I curled up into a ball on the floor, having the breath knocked out of me. I covered my head and face with both hands, but no more blows came. ‘Look at you, sis.’ Erin crouched down in front of me, lifted my face with a finger. ‘How the tables have turned. You discarded me. But I’ve found myself some new friends.’ She trailed a sharp-nailed finger down my cheek. ‘Time for payback.’ She straightened up. ‘You, and you, get over here. Haul her up. Pin her arms behind her back.’ I was yanked roughly to my feet. Two men restrained me as Erin stepped forward, raised her right arm and gave me a solid smack on the face. Then another. Black dots started swimming in front of my eyes. My ears were ringing. I tasted blood in my mouth. My cheeks stung like they were scorched. All around me, the sounds of smashing, wrecking and looting continued. Niall’s cry was joined by Freya’s. I couldn’t see Patrick. Erin rotated her wrist, stopped to cat