Terror

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Things weren't any better at Toronto General Hospital. River stood with a pillowcase over his head, with two cut areas for his eyes. He was exhausted from the constant amount of questions he had been receiving.

"Why did you confess? Are you lying about what your mother did? Did you enjoy being a model? Will you go back to modelling when this is all cleared up?"

It was too much for him, which is why he decided to take a break and get some iced coffee from Tim Hortons. Despite Cecile's warning about caffeine, he didn't care anymore.

Nevaeh handed him his phone and he saw a video of Mia being chased by security through the hospital halls. "They probably have more charges on them than any of us," Nevaeh commented, holding some cash.

River couldn't help but feel self-conscious as people stared at him, but he knew that covering his face was the only way to avoid being recognized.

"Mia sent me a Snapchat saying that Eden's siblings all turned up at the hospital. Security is being extra careful because they think they're going to beat someone up," Nevaeh explained.

They were standing in line at a Tim Hortons in the hospital, as they were still allowed to roam freely. River knew some people here, but most of his acquaintances were at Sick Kids hospital.

"Do we know when our court date is?" he asked.

No one knew for sure, but it had to be soon. The news reports were everywhere, with interviews of people who weren't seriously injured. They especially wanted to interview him because of his involvement im the incident with his mother. He didn't want to talk, but he knew that his mother's fate rested on his testimony.

He couldn't help but worry about his own potential punishment as well. Would it be true that he goes to jail? It's not that he has done much harm, especially considering that he arrived later.

While Nevaeh ordered the food, River put his hands in his pockets. It felt weird because he wouldn't do this at all since hand placement always had to be seen. If his hands were in his pocket, it would be seen as unprofessional.

"Am I getting stared at?" he asked Nevaeh.

He had never been a fan of attention, even during his modelling days. Despite whether the cameras were flashing brightly or the crowd was clapping, he still felt that all eyes were on him.

"You and me," she replied, handing him a bag and a cold cup of iced coffee.

"Let's find a place to eat where we won't attract too much attention," Nevaeh suggested.

River was unsure of where the should sit, knowing that if he removed the pillowcase, people would immediately start recording and asking him questions about his mother's arrest. He didn't want any more attention than he was already receiving.

As they looked around the busy cafeteria, he knew this wouldn't help their situation. Conversations dipped as they passed. Some lifted a phone, then another, pretending not to aim directly at him.

Suddenly, Mallory appeared in front of them and stated "You guys really stick out a lot. I mean, everyone is already staring at us. My parents actually came."

"Mine haven't," Nevaeh said. "Why don't you reveal yourself, Highlighter? You want to be a normal teenager, right? I want to be in some pictures too."

River let out a sigh and slowly removed the pillowcase with one hand. As soon as he did, people pulled out their phones or rushed towards him.

"Oh my gosh, you're River Dunlop!" Girls squealed.

It wasn't just his mother's fashion that people were fawning over, but he actually had fans. Despite this, he rarely posted on social media about anything, and when people asked why he stopped modelling, he would never answer.