Never Too Late | Grey's Anatomy AU

5 | Killing Me Softly With His Song

Riley POV:

A Week Later

Well, well, well, look what we have here. It seems as if I'm cursed and another dark cloud has followed me. I wake up in a barn and it's dark. I don't have any of my clothes on and I immediately knew what happened. It's happened before in foster homes and nobody believed me. They said that I was crazy and that I was making up stuff, so those parents just ended up putting me back in the system. Maybe I should've just stayed at the dream house, maybe I should've stayed so I could hear Meredith's explanation for the nonsense that came out of her mouth not too long ago. How could someone be so heartless? I'm kinda glad that she didn't say it to my face though because I would've knocked her out right then and there.

I've been raped. I've been used. I'm just waiting for the guy to slit my throat and end it right here. I don't even know what's the point of living anymore. It's cold and I can't see anything. I feel like I've probably been here a while because in way hungrier than usual. I think about just sitting here and dying, but then I remember the people who truly love me. Jonathan and I have always had a good relationship, we were always there for each other and we would tell each other everything. He hasn't been there since I was born, but he's been in my life far longer than my parents have. To me, he's been there since day one. I trust him with my life, he's even my emergency contact.

Derek, Jo, Zola, and little Bailey. They're so wonderful. They think that I'm so special and they care for me. Derek and I only spent a month together, but it was the best month anyone could ever have. He was so content with me. I can truly say that Zola and Bailey have the best dad ever, no question. Jo. Jo Wilson. Probably the best woman I have ever met in my life and the closest thing to a mother. She's been my best friend besides Derek and Jonathan. I learned that she used to be a foster kid too, her mother left her at a fire station and she lived in a bunch of homes just like me. She always told me that I could talk to her about anything and that I would be safe with her. I found out a while ago that she works at the same hospital as my parents, so she must know about my situation, even though she has yet to bring it up. But she's great and I'm so glad to have met her. When Zola and I would hang out, I would always braid her hair and Derek would be so confused, so I showed him some new styles and techniques. It was so much fun, I wish I could get back to that. Bailey is just the cutest. Derek says he looks a lot like me and I believe him. He would always fall asleep in my arms, had no problems when I changed his diapers, he started to stand up a little bit and eventually he'll be walking soon, it's amazing.

I find my clothes, scattered across the ground and I put them on. This guy probably took my phone, so I clearly can't call anyone. I find a door and somehow, it's left open so I run and I can't see anything at all. It's most likely a little after nine. I keep on running through this forest and I don't even know where I am. But then I look up and see the Space Needle, so I know I'm not too far away from home. I start to feel extremely dizzy and nauseous and I start to get migraines. They're probably from all of the drugs that this scumbag gave me and also because I haven't eaten in forever. I pass out and hit my head on some sidewalk.

I try to get up, but I have no strength, not energy to do so.

Derek POV:

Riley has been missing since the morning after the dinner at our place. A whole bunch of us have been putting up "missing" posters around the neighbourhood. When we checked the room, the window was left open and I guess she snuck out, but I don't understand why. We talked to the police, Jonathan, her school, everyone and nobody has seen any trace of her. I'm really worried about her. Hopefully, she's not hurt and she'll return home soon. I don't know if I could go on and be happy without her here.

Meredith POV:

Ever since that dinner, I've been thinking about Riley a lot. I regret what I said. It's hard for me to let people in my life again because I'm not a people person. It's like letting Thatcher back into my life, it's painful, reminds me of my dark past. I honestly owe Riley an apology, she's been nothing but nice and sweet to me and I've just been bitter. She deserves the world and I understand why Derek loves her so much. I don't know why I said that about her. This is probably how Lexie, Amelia, and Maggie felt when I didn't let them into my life. I now realize how cruel of a person I was. I had no right to be mean to them and the same goes for Riley. At the time, they were just people I didn't want to know. I built a relationship with Lexie and she's dead now. I just can't deal with losing another person in my life now, I don't plan to.