Tomorrow

Chapter 1

Riker's POVIt's a beautiful day in LA. The sun is shining and it's warm out, as I park my car. Maybe I'll go surfing later. I love summer in LA. Should I see if one of my brothers would want to join me?I shake my head, they cross my mind a lot.I lock my car doors and walk down the street.Almost three months since I quit R5 and things are going well.I got a part-time job giving lessons at a little music store. The owner cut me a break. I didn't need the money, but it gave me something to do. It helps fill my time and I love teaching too. He never offered music lessons before I told him I left the band. But with the way things are going, he'll have to think about getting another instructor to help out. I could ask Rocky or Ross if they would want to do it? Ugh. There I go again.It annoys me how much they pop into my head. I guess it shouldn't, I used to do everything with them. Now I never see them.I call my mother once a week. Rocky was right, she does worry about me. Every time she asks me to come over for dinner, and every time I decline. As nice as it would be, someone, probably Ross, would bring the band up and we would fight. And I didn't want to fight anymore.I miss my family. We were always close. They were my best friends. And I know they miss me too. I hear from them all, well except Ross, at least three times a week either through text or call. I usually don't talk to them, but they try. I will have to give in sooner or later. Suck it up and go see them. But not today... or tomorrow."Whoa!" Someone slams into me almost causing me to fall."Hey!" I exclaim.Grabbing the girl's arms, we steady each other."You should watch where you're going." I look at her, see her for the first time, and smile.She's pretty.Her long brown hair is loose around her face, and hanging in her eyes. She reaches up and pushes the hair out of her face."Sorry...I gotta go!" She offers me half of a smile.She lets go of me. I watch her jog towards the street. She turns and offers me a bigger smile."I didn't mean to hit you, I have to get out of here." She shrugs and gives a little wave before turning to the street.She never saw the car coming. I didn't either until it hit her. It happened in slow motion. She landed sideways on the hood of the car, banging her head. Her legs flew up and over her head causing her body to fall off the side of the car onto the pavement. She lands on her shoulder, rolling over to her stomach.I stand there in shock watching the black Chevy speed away.Did that just happen?I look over at the girl lying in the street. She isn't moving.Glancing up and down the block, to see if someone can help me but there isn't anyone around. I jog over to her. She must be dead! There's no way anyone could have survived that.I kneel trying not to notice the blood on the concrete and press my fingers to her wrist. I find her pulse. I pull out my phone ready to press 9-1-1."You have to get me out of here," The girl mumbles, trying to get up unsuccessfully. She glances up at me."I'm going to call 9-1-1," I assure her."No, They'll find me. Please don't let them get me.""You got hit by a car, you need medical attention.""Please," she begs, her eyes flutter shut and she loses consciousness.Shit! What should I do?I move around to the other side of her and put one arm under her legs. Pulling her close to my chest, I scoop her up and slowly stand up. She moans.I glance left and right to make sure no one is watching.I shouldn't move her. I should call the paramedics and let them take her to the hospital. I remember reading that you can do more damage by moving someone when they are in an accident. But she asked me to help her. Begged me. I have to do something.Somehow, I manage to get her in my car.When I'm in the driver's seat, I grab my phone and hit Tracy.Tracy is my neighbor. She's also an LPN. She will help me."Riker, I'm at work.""I know and I'm coming in with an emergency, can you help me?"She's silent for a few seconds, "Yeah, I'll meet you at entrance 'C'.""I owe you Trace.""Yeah, yeah, yeah," she mutters.I drive to the hospital as fast as I can without causing an accident. I pull up to entrance C. I throw the car in park and get out.I open the back door as Tracy rushes out to meet me."Jesus Riker. What did you do?""I didn't do it, I swear.""Sean, get her out. Put her on the gurney," Tracy orders.Sean walks over to the car and takes the girl out.Tracy examines."I want X-rays, and IV. Page Dr. Rider, stat."Sean wheels the gurney away."Go park, I'll meet you in room 341C," Tracy tells me, not waiting for my answer. She rushes in behind the gurney. The automatic doors shut behind her.It takes me a couple of minutes to get to the garage and park the car. I hurry into the hospital, wondering if the girl will be okay? Will the cops think I hit her? Isn't there some way to tell that it isn't my vehicle?I'm panicking. I've never seen anything like that before. I guess I have every reason to be panicky.I go to the elevators, what room is it? Shit, I can't remember. Is it 413C or 413B? No, it's C. I remember Tracy telling me a few weeks ago that they closed the C wing for renovation. It's definitely C, room... 341C. Hurrying down the deserted hallway I find the room and walk-in."What happened?" Tracy asks immediately, not taking her eyes off her patient. Her blonde ponytail bounces around as she does her job."She was running down the street and got hit by a car." I shift my weight to my right foot and cross my arms over my chest."What kind of car?""A Chevy, Impala I think. They didn't stop." Uncomfortable, I uncross my arms and hook my thumbs into the belt loops of my jeans. "It was the scariest thing I've ever seen, Trace. I went over not expecting her to be alive but she was... or is, and I start to call 9-1-1 but she woke up and begged me not to. It sounds like someone is after her.""Dr. Rider owes me a favor." She turns to me. "He'll examine her and make sure nothing's broken and there's no internal bleeding. He'll want to keep her for a few days for observation.""No!"Both Tracy and I jump. The girl is awake and looking at us."I need to get out of here or they'll find me." She tries to sit up.Tracy rushes over to her side. Placing a hand on the girls arm she eases her back onto the bed."It's all right, dear. You're going to be ok." She pats her arm when she lays back down.The girl looks at me with wide, pleading blue eyes. She's so scared and helpless. I have to try and help her."Trace, is there any way I can take her to my place after the doctor examines her? I mean, if something goes wrong you're right across the street."Tracy looks at me with a raised eyebrow. I shrug."Yeah, let's do that," The girl agrees before shutting her eyes again.