He Brought Judas Into Our Home

I rolled my eyes at Rainey’s empty threat. ‘Or you are never going to see the old man alive,’ Rainey said. I stopped dead. Blood congealed in my veins. ‘In fact, he’s going to starve to death.’ My teeth chattered when I tried to speak. ‘W-what did you say?’ She leaned forward and blew a smoke ring in my face. ‘You heard me. And you better move fast. Otherwise, I may suffer from sudden onset amnesia.’ She feigned a confused look. ‘And then I won’t be able to recall where I put the old man.’ I couldn’t move. The cigarette smoke had entered my body and clogged up my brain. ‘He’s being kept alive with IV nutrition drip, which runs out in seventy-two hours. If you are still in Lisbern after the deadline passes, be prepared to attend your grandfather’s funeral.’ I stared at the devil in human form. ‘Rainey, he’s…he’s your father.’ ‘So?’ Rainey tossed away the cigarette butt. ‘He let me and my mum live like sewer rats. I was eight when he finally took me home. Do you know what kind of life I