Comfortably Numb

Chapter Twenty

Gentle fingers sweep my hair back from my face. I can hear whispered voices from somewhere beyond me, but I am too comfortable to move and wake up.

"Andy come on.... we're home and you should really eat something before you crash." The deep rumble is unmistakably Rykers, and that tells me the fingers dancing along my skin are his. Well, that and the electricity sparking wherever he touches me.

"No...." I moan and lean more into his touch. I hear him chuckle before I feel strong arms slip underneath my back and legs. Before I can realize what is happening, I am already swept up into his arms. I sway with every step he takes, his chest pressed to my side, his arms wrapped tightly around me. I feel my cheeks flush, embarrassment betraying me.

I slowly blink my eyes open and Ryker chuckles above me. "So now you wake?" He rumbles. I sink my teeth into my lip.

"Thank you" I whisper. He nods down at me with a big smile. He carries me over the threshold of the door, and deposits me gently on one of the chairs in the dining room.

"I'm just going to change." He murmurs to me and I nod back.

I can hear the rest of the family speaking quietly, but can't understand what they are saying.

I heave in a deep sigh before looking around me.  The dining room looks the same as always, but that isn't what catches my interest. I can hear several voices and when I look towards the kitchen, it is clear that Rowan is blocking the door. He has his broad back to me, listening intently.

I stand and make my way towards the door. I can just tell that they are talking about me from the way he's standing, and I want to be a part of the conversation. I tap Rowan's shoulder and motion for him to let me in, and he twists his head to look down at me. I nod at him, and he stares back for a moment. I tap him again, gesturing for him to move aside. He sighs, but after contemplating his options turns to let me through. I step past him carefully, walking into the now silent room.

Blake, both Mr Cardinals, Arrow and two more men that I don't recognize are all standing in the kitchen. Each of the people within the kitchen are torn between blinding anger and intense sadness.

"W-what's going on?" I whisper. Blake wipes his hand over his face before looking to his right. I can see a stack of paperwork there, and I immediately understand what is happening, and why everyone is here. I take a step towards it automatically.

"Andy..." he sighs.

"I-is t-that-" "You don't have to look.. The kids just said they knew what happened, and asked what else I knew." I swallow the lump in my throat.

"I-I.... I need t-to see." I breathe. Blake grinds his teeth together, staring at me hard. I glare back. "M-move."

"I don't think it's a good idea."

"I n-need to see. Get out of my w-way."

He sighs before stepping aside, finally Letting me through.

"You don't have to do this, sweetheart." Mr Cardinal whispers to me, looking like he is holding back from reaching out to hug me. I ignore him, walking the rest of the way to the counter.

Carefully, I flip the folder open. The top document is the police report from when I was reported missing. From when we were both reported missing. I have never read it before; I trace over the half a page of words carefully.

"A struggle ensued. Blood spatter on both alley walls, confirmed from Ms Andromeda Romans and Mr Steven O'Malley. Possible suspects: 0 Possible locations: 0
Case file Last Reviewed by Officer Owens Badge 22109 on 22/03/19 " 
My eyes flick through the words again and again. They had been looking, but not very hard.