The Neighbor

8.

I eventually went back to the room and saw that Nick wasn't there anymore. Perfect, if I didn't already hate his face, now I don't want to see it for the rest of my life. I closed the door behind me and laid on the bed, everything was quiet and I started to notice the dried tears on my face. Then I noticed the pain in my leg and shoulders. To think that none of this would have happened if I had just not been a stupid teenager, if I had stayed home, my parents... would still be alive.

I started to cry uncontrollably, I wipe one tear away and two more take it's place. "Mom... dad... I'm sorry" I whispered to myself.

"You shouldn't be sorry...".

I looked towards the door and saw Nick just standing there watching me, how long was he there for?

"I'm the one who killed your parents, it wasn't your fault."

I glared at him with my red, puffy eyes, "Why are you acting like you care about how I feel? And yes it is my fault you know why, it's because I was stupid enough to break into a psychos home for fun, I didn't think it would come back to bite me in the ass and now I'm stuck in this house with you and my parents are... dead". I turned on my side to face the wall, I didn't want to look at him anymore.

" *sigh* I know your feeling a lot of different emotions right now Rider, sure you can blame yourself if you want but that's not going to fix anything now is it. And yah you're right, I don't know why I'm acting like I care, I suppose it's what someone's supposed to do when others are sad."

I just ignored him, I was stuck in my own thoughts and didn't realize it when he walked over and sat on the bed. I flinched a little, I guess it's my natural reaction now. He then proceeded to try and "comfort me" by rubbing my back. I let him do it because he's mentally unstable and any action I take against him will result in pain. My tears started to dry again as I closed my eyes and slowly fell asleep.

I woke up to the sound of music, it sounded like it was coming from the kitchen. I got up and walked to the door and went to the kitchen. It was still dark outside so I was confused as to why music was playing. I made it to the kitchen but nobody was there, just a radio on the kitchen table. I walked up to it and lowered the volume so that I could sleep again. I turned around and saw a figure standing in front of me, a big, dark figure. I looked up slowly and saw Nick, I was relieved and disappointed.

"What are you doing out of your room, I don't remember giving you permission to leave."

Oh sh*t that's right, I'm in a house with a psychotic killer. "Oh, well I... I woke up to music playing and I couldn't go back to sleep. So I thought I'd lower it a bit." I just stood there not knowing if he was angry with me, waiting for his reply.

"Well if that's it then I'll just turn it off."

I was kinda confused, "Thank you. So you don't mind that I came out and touched your radio?" He looked over at me for a little bit, as if he was studying me.

"No, to be honest I thought you were trying to escape so I was pleased to hear that you weren't."

I gave out a quiet sigh, "Um... well if it's okay with you I'm going to go back to the room." I started to make my way over there when I felt his hand on my shoulder, he slightly squeezed it making me tense up.

"You know Rider, it seems as though your starting to walk normally now. You must not be in a lot of pain anymore."

I looked over my shoulder and my eyes watered at the sight of his smile, it was the same one I saw when I first met him. "A-actually um... it's still quite sensitive."

His eyes start to narrow, "Are you lying to me, you know you're not a good liar. If you're honest with me then your punishment will be small."

What do I do, if I say that I'm ok will he take me back down to the basement, if I don't say that I'm okay then he'll definitely do something to me. I don't know what to say, either way leads me to pain.

"What's the matter, cat got your tongue?"

He squeezed harder making me flinch. "Um... I'm actually feeling a lot better now."

"So... you did lie to me, now why would you do that, you know I hate liars."

"I know, I'm s-sorry, I was just scared that's all." My body was shivering at thought of going back down there. All of a sudden he took his hand off my shoulder and I finally breathed.

"You know what Rider, how about we play a game." I had a look of confusion plastered on my face. "Let's play hide and seek. If you manage to hide for 5 minutes without me finding you then you won't go to the basement. But, if I find you then you're going down there for as long as I want you too. Deal?"

"Ok. Let's play."
•••
Poor Rider, I don't know if he's going to get through this. Let's just hope that he's good at hide and seek.