“NO!” Matt roared as the man dived for the gun. Matt grabbed me around the waist and tried to shield me with his body, but it was too late. The blast sent several piles of dust up into the air. I slowly looked down at the red liquid seeping through the hole in my jeans. I could feel the nausea rising, and I looked up, trying to stay awake. A smile on his face, the man again raised the gun. All of a sudden he crumpled and hit the floor. Allie stood over him, still clutching the saucepan.

“Lily, can you hear me? You’re going to be fine, I promise!” Matt’s voice sounded in my ear. He tried to sound reassuring, but he could not quite hide the terror in his voice. I tried to talk, but the darkness swooped up to engulf me, and I sank below the waves into unconsciousness.

I opened my eyes, only to wrench them straight shut. The light was bright, too bright. I slowly opened them again. Matt’s worried face came into view; why was he worried?

“Lily? Are you ok?” He sounded relieved.

“What? What happened? Where am I?” I was confused. Memories flooded my mind, and I gasped. “Where is the man?”

His expression turned angry. “When you fainted, I brought you here, while Allie called the police. Ian is in the next room, he’s been up all night worried about you.”

I looked around; suddenly realising I was in a hospital room. I tried to sit up, when there was a sharp pain in my left leg, and I surrendered back to the pillows with a gasp.

“What’s wrong?” Matt peered at me with anxious eyes.

“I’m fine; I just have to remember not to move.” I winced. “How did you find me?” I asked.

“Land Rover tracks are pretty clear in the mud.” Matt grinned wryly. “I guess my tracking expeditions came in handy after all.”

A cold breeze entered the room, and I twisted my head around to see Ian entering. He smiled in relief when he saw I was awake. I grinned back weakly.

“I’m sorry Dad. I must have had you so worried.” I started to apologise, but he silenced me with a finger to his lips.

“Don’t worry sweetheart. I’m just glad you’re safe.” He turned to Matt. “Thank you so much, Matt. If you and Allie had not followed, who knows what state she would be in by now? I’ll be forever in your debt.” His voice was sincere.

“Anyone would have done the same.” Matt smiled at me. Ian suddenly looked uncomfortable, and he muttered an excuse before leaving the room.

I sighed. We never did get to go to the meadow. I was never going to go down that lane on my own, that I was sure of. Matt grinned, guessing what I was thinking.

“When you get out of here, do you still want to go to our meadow?” He asked. His eyes were back to their usual twinkling self. I smiled.

“Maybe we could go on our own?” I suggested. He nodded eagerly, and then frowned.

“I’ll let you get some sleep now,” he said, looking at the purple shadows that lined my eyes.

“Don’t leave me!” I cried in panic. Images of my dark prison came back to me in a flash. His eyes widened, but then realisation flickered across his face.

“I’ll just be over there,” he comforted me, inclining his head towards the leather recliner by the far wall. “Now go to sleep.” I calmed down, and closed my eyes obediently. Matt started humming, a sound that reassured me as I drifted off to sleep.