The Girl Beyond the Gate

by Becca Day

Unlike my neighbours, I’m not interested in catching a glimpse of the dead body in the community centre. My stomach is twisting itself into knots, and the last thing I want to see right now is a black sheet-covered gurney being wheeled out. Part of me doesn’t even want to look out of my bedroom window, I just want to hide away and pretend none of this is happening, but I need to get an idea of what’s going on – and just how much I ought to worry.

Starting off with some strong wording and character developement.

Of course, I do, but they don’t need to know that. My plan is already in motion. Everything is resting on what happens over the next twenty-four hours. I can’t afford to make a single mistake.

I cannot tell if I love or hate main character

There’s not a hint of wind; the stifling air around me is stagnant.

I love the wording of this

I’ve heard of gated communities before, though I don’t think they’re that common in the UK.

Very interesting, I wonder if present day is still in the UK or if main character moves back to the US. In the opening she mentioned that someone was speaking in spanish and I don't know if thats typical in the UK.

In its previous life it was an asylum. Of course, they didn’t use that word in the estate agent’s brochure. They simply referred to it as a hospital, as if knowing the estate’s true heritage might contaminate the living experience.

I hate that, but I wonder if it plays a bigger role in the plot.

The breath catches in my throat. The estate agent didn’t mention any kids living next door.

When she's anti-child. Someone's not a MILF

Unable to tear my eyes away from the frail girl sitting in the wheelchair, I exhale slowly through pursed lips. It’s fine. It doesn’t matter. I just won’t interact with them.

"It doesn't matter, I won't interact with them" then why did it matter if a kid lived next door?

Perhaps their ghosts are glowering invisibly by the tea table, dripping ectoplasm over the scones.

Instead, they all turn in sync to scrutinise me.

It's because you come off as mean, because you are.

I have a sneaky suspicion it’s Heidi who is actually in charge of how things run around here.

sensing that jodie wants to be on top

I don’t do well in situations like this. Right from when I was a child at school, I always stood to the back of group photos, never put my hand up in class, always kept to the same small group of friends in the playground.

They’re pieces of equipment they used in the asylum. An array of restraints, leather with chains dangling off them. Some kind of electrical probes. Metal collars. And then right in the centre, hanging at full height, a straitjacket.

I really hate that

‘Jodie? Would you like to volunteer for the fundraiser for your new neighbour and her daughter Lacey? You can help run one of the stands or be on the decorating committee?’

JODIE EAT KIDS

Keeping up the appearance of someone who’s not teetering on the edge of a breakdown is tiring.

Me Everyday LMAO

(technology in general is not my strong suit),

"Kids these days with this damn technology"

My fingers drift along the photo frames inside, as if they’re greeting old friends with the caution that comes from time apart. Moments of perfection captured for eternity that cling to me like a coat fashioned from shattered glass. The tighter I pull it around myself the more it cuts into me. All it takes is seeing these pictures one more time, to see your face that I miss so much, to realise that I almost enjoy the sting of the glass shards. It reminds me how much I loved you. How much I still do.

It’s very disconcerting having the unknown enter your life.

Hello Norah

I wish we had the space for the swimming pool they’re building for Lacey in our garden, as opposed to having to traipse over to the community centre.

I don't know if shes a good mom for getting a ramp, or a bad mom for following up with "I wish we had space to build a pool".

I’ve always wanted a pool.

How did I not read ahead to include this in the last note, case closed.

And anyway, it isn’t about me. It’s for Lacey. All this is for Lacey.

Says she can't complain but it. I bet either Lacy or Norah end up dead.

A new neighbour. Interesting. This brings a level of uncertainty to the coming weeks. My mind is instantly awash with questions, just as hers is likely awash with questions about us.

Why do I feel both Norah and Jodie are a tad bit self centered?

Ten years ago, before everything happened with Alison, I might have done just that. But not now. I think I’ll do Lacey’s feed in her room today.

Norah has a secret, can we keep it?

I don’t know about anyone else but I get a weird vibe off her. Just me?

I also get a vibe off miss jodie

I’m sure there won’t be a repeat of what happened with Alison. Feel free to invite her Heidi.

I NEED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO ALISON

If only there was a pill I could take to stop me from dreaming about you.

What's going on here gurlie?

My hands stretching out, reaching for yours, but always being mere inches away.

The hint to Jodie's ex love interest is both cute and cringy

‘You know Lacey Williams?’ ‘Everyone round here knows the Williams family. Mother’s a bit weird, very intense, but they’ve kind of made a name for themselves. There were even television crews when they were gifted that house of theirs.’

Everyone knows the weird family, I guess.

I shake my head in disbelief. They’ve been given a house? Just how sick is this kid?

Dee Dee and Gypse Rose energy

you go to the fundraiser and interview Lacey and her mother instead.’

I just know Jodie's punching the air rn

‘That’s even better! Who better to get an inside scoop than her neighbour?’

If my neighbors interviewed me, I'd shit bricks bro

We weren’t always at each other’s throats like this. It’s developed slowly, over time, like a sickness invading our home. I don’t mean to snap.

I know what’s best for her. I always have. Why won’t she just surrender to me?

What a weird thing to say about your child.

MAKE-A-WISH HELPS LOCAL GIRL’S DREAM COME TRUE says one article, alongside a beaming photo of Norah and Lacey at Disneyland and even a clip from an interview that was aired on daytime TV about Lacey’s brave battle with cystic fibrosis.

I said it once and I'll say it again, I don't doubt that Lacy is sick, but something about this whole thing feels really weird. What if Alison found something out regarding Norah and Lacy, so Norah killed her.

‘One large with extra onions, please. Ketchup and mustard.’ Heidi doesn’t try to hide her grimace. ‘Goodness, if I ate that you just know it would pass the lips and go straight to the hips.’ She chuckles and her eyes drop pointedly to my hips before flashing back to my face.

Heidi, mind your business.

‘Human interest? Norah’s pretty picky about which interviews she gives.’ I’m about to respond with some kind of sarcastic comment – am I not good enough for Norah?

weirdo energy

‘Cystic fibrosis – it means her lungs are damaged, makes her muscles weak, it’s also caused anaemia and diabetes.’

I didn't know this. We're learning something.

Norah’s lips tighten, and for a moment I expect her to say that the interview is over, but eventually the smile returns and she says, ‘Of course.’

Norah did not like that. I thought the claws were coming out fr

‘Because everyone’s so kind to me,’ she says. ‘My illness sucks, but it’s made me realise how caring people are.’

Lacy seems to hate her mom, but once you look past that, she's kinda sweet.

Lacey glances back at me and flashes me one last smile before disappearing with her mother back into the crowds.

Norah and Lacy give mean a vibe. I can't explain it.

We’ve already had so much of us exposed, I need to be careful how things are worded.

What are you guys hiding?

And it wasn’t for me, it was for Lacey.

Why does Norah keep saying this specific line?

But if Lacey has decided she wants to befriend her, I’m afraid I’m going to have to put much stricter measures in place. I can’t have a repeat of last time.

Alison got too close to Lacy and probably learned something. Norah then probably scared her off or killed her.

I realised Lacey was racing up and down her newly installed ramp, her mouth stretching into a grin as she allowed her wheels to free spin. Both times she noticed me watching her and waved, causing my heart to leap into my throat and the back of my neck to burn.

Lacy has to be one of the better characters thus far in the book

Eventually I realise the voice is coming from outside, and when I peer at the house next door my eyes land on Lacey, staring out at me through her own open window. I’m momentarily frozen, unsure of what to do.

Lacy is just up and walking or something. She's t-posing lmao. I also noticed I have been spelling her name as Lacy, instead of Lacey, but now it's too late.

‘Mum will wake up.’ I swallow. ‘What are you doing?’ I say again, this time at a lower volume. ‘Can you angle your TV to the window?’ she whispers, pointing eagerly at the set behind me. ‘I’m never allowed to watch TV.’

If I were Lacy, I'd cry or constantly shit myself to punish my mom lmao

I have planned for my morning is to take a riveting Buzzfeed quiz on what kind of onion I am.

One time I took an "am I autistic" quiz, and it said I was. This wasn't just something for shits and giggles, but my best friend's boyfriend has autism and she says we share a lot of traits.

I make my way, striding with purpose and with Christian trailing behind, to the east gate. Lo and behold, staring out through the bars, is Lacey.

Lacy just want's to be like all the other kids.

‘Where the hell have you been?’ My voice pulsates with anger as I barrel down the driveway towards Lacey and my neighbour. My tear-stained cheeks are now burning, heat rushing through me. I drop to my knees in front of Lacey and pull her face into my hands. ‘Don’t you ever do that to me again! I had all sorts of awful things going through my mind!’ ‘I’m sorry, Mum,’ Lacey whimpers, her eyes trained on her lap.

Norah, slow your roll bro

‘You’re not in trouble. I just want us to stop fighting against each other all the time, Lacey. I want us to go back to how we used to be. You and I against the world, remember?’

Norah seems to move in waves, and I cannot imagine that's good for Lacy.

Trust must be re-established.

Norah is always on some power trip.