"Broken" and The Cyclist Crossover

2. Memories (Johnny)

I stared at the small photograph, lined with a silver frame, hung up on the opposite wall. Mum still hadn't taken the photograph down, no matter how many times I'd asked her to. It was Cara, plus it was pretty recent. I wanted nothing more to do with my sister, and even though I longed to erase her from my memory completely I had no chance of doing so.

The photo was one of her at the park, her thick dark brown hair was slicked back into a tight high ponytail. Her generic purple jumpsuit that I rarely ever saw her not wearing had been replaced with a red tank top and some pale green shorts. She seemed sort of distracted by something, and I was entirely unsure why mum had even had the thought of pinning this to the wall.

The only picture of Cara that I did treasure was the one attached to my keychain. It was Cara when she was just nine-years-old - when she was a nice person. I never should've shut her out in the first place and she still blames me for her actions, even pushing Ford down the stairs. She even said to me I'd treated her like crap and she was probably right. I never expected to her to become the rogue ten year old she did; we were really close before then, and I missed the old her. But...I knew I could never even forgive her for what she did to my best friend.

I got up from the table with a sigh; mum was baking a chocolate marble cake in the kitchen. I decided to ignore her and headed out of the front door, not even bothering to lock it behind me. Cara wouldn't be back any time soon; I knew that much.

I headed down the drive; rain pitter pattered on the paving slabs beneath my feet. I knew the direction to Ford's house off by heart now and I saw him a lot. I muttered to myself, Come on Johnny, you don't have to think about Cara all the time. The trouble was...every time I thought about Ford's injuries or met him in person, all I'd think about is Cara, and more often than not I'd often tell myself that 'this is my fault, I caused this.' Rather than facing Cara off like a reckless teenager I should've run and fetched help, not watch Ford fall.

I strolled through the usual long winding alleyway which I was now very used to. It was often quite, with a few food wrappers littered about...but today something seemed oddly eerie. I had the feeling that someone was watching me...and I didn't know who.

"Uhh...hello?" I called, my voice carrying swiftly through the misty air. There was no answer. I had that unsettling feeling that everyone gets when they know they aren't alone...

I continued walking, dragging my feet across the floor, trying to stay as quiet as possible. The eerie feeling didn't disperse. And then I heard something...it sounded like the crash of thunder...but I knew it wasn't.

A girl with long dyed red hair shot out from behind a trash can; she was holding a cymbal, probably the thing that I'd heard crash. I seemed to recognise this girl as Riya...the one who was arrested.

"Uhhh...you look like that Riya girl...should you be in a cell...?" I spoke shakily, my fingers clasping tightly around the prized keychain in my pocket.

"Is that any of your business?...Cara Sinclair's brother." I bit my lip, staring at Riya; she was wearing thick red lipstick and light blue eyeliner, making her look at lot older than she actually was.

"What do you even know about my sister?" I questioned angrily. Riya put a finger to her lips with a smirk.

"Oh, I know a lot, Johnny dear, and if you don't want Ford to be in another accident, then I'd suggest you come with me," Riya's smirk widened, she lowered her eyes in an evil stance. I gaped in horror; why were both Riya and my sister blackmailing everyone?

"I'm - I'm not falling for this," I stared at the ground, not moving.

"Then we'll do this the hard way..." She trailed off as I grabbed the lid of the trash can, lobbing it at her face. She charged at me; I tried to duck, but she's already grabbed hold of me.

"Everyone knows you're an arsonist Riya! you won't get away with this!" Riya smirked at me again.

Riya cleared her throat, "You're coming with me RIGHT NOW...and if you don't obey...you wouldn't want to find out the consequences..."