The Ghost Of You

Chapter Five

James

This town was small enough to know that there was only so many places that Riley could hide. The town being small had another benefit, it meant that the one piece of information I knew may actually lead me to where I need to go 
Bill's

After looking into it I found out there is a café in the centre of the town called Bill's it's right by some park and opposite the town hall
Honestly, this entire town was rather sweet and wholesome, I'm not surprised that this is where Riley chose to hide

The closer I got to Bill's the more my stomach began to turn
"hey honey, table for one? or a bar seat?" A woman said as I walked into the café 
"Oh I'm actually looking for someone" I said looking around but only being disappointed when I couldn't see her

"Is Daniel here?" I asked, if I couldn't see Riley then my next bet would be to ask for Daniel. Part of me thinks asking for Riley would give Riley a chance to run again
"Yeah, he's out back. Take a seat and I'll grab him for you" She said offering me a smile as she walked away. Part of me was questioning if that was the Tanya that Daniel had mentioned, if it was I was 2 people in and only had to work out who Harrison was 

I swear if he's Riley's boyfriend, I will lose everything all over again..

"Holy shit" Daniel's voice said making me turn to see him walking towards me drying his hands on a towel before throwing it down on the table 
"I'm glad you got my hint" He continued with a smile on his face

"Is she here?" I asked but Daniel was quick to shake his head
"No she isn't, she was this morning and she could be tonight but I'm not sure" He answered
"What am I missing here, why is she running. Why has she played it that she is dead for the last 5 years" I asked but Daniel sighed

"Look, I want to tell you everything and I hope someday she tells you everything. But I've already betrayed Riley by letting you know about Bill's I cannot be the one to tell you this" He continued
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do, she keeps running but I don't have the first clue on what she is running from" I said leaning back in the booth defeated 

I knew I was close to finding her again but how long would it be before she ran again.. 
We all know that I would run to the ends of the earth for her, but what if I'm who she is running from? Then what do I do 

--

There is only so many things that you can do in this town, there are only so many options you can exhaust and I was at my wits end with mine
I had spent all day sitting in Bill's hoping that Riley would come in but she didn't. Eventually Daniel needed to close up and let the staff go home.. Meaning I was free falling into the night 

I had found a Bed and Breakfast that had room in town but I wasn't read to give up for the night.. Not even close 

But I also didn't know what else I was supposed to do. 

I could walk the streets until I get some sort of sign that Riley is around, that she is close but that's energy that I could saving for the daylight hours
I know how much Riley hates the dark, the night time. She would just be wondering the streets unless she had to 

Incoming Call... Dad.

"James? " His voice said filled with concern
"Hey Dad, it's rather late. Are you okay?" I asked, Dad and I have never really been the type to call each other unless it was urgent 
That's just the dynamic that we're used to
"I think I should be asking you that. Your Uncle called me today to tell me you never showed up for work? What is going on?" He asked 

I had been working at my Dad's company for as long as I can remember. He'd recently handed it down to my Uncle even though he wanted to hand it to me. I was in no way ready for that kind of responsibility

"We give you leeway when it comes to the anniversary but as far as he was concerned you were supposed to return today?" He asked
How was I supposed to tell Dad that I was 4 hours away chasing someone that everyone thought was just a ghost
"I just need some time okay? I've gone away for a little bit for a bit of closure then I'll be back" I pleaded. I couldn't give him any details no matter how much I wanted to 

"Talk to me James, what is going on? This isn't you." He said and he wasn't wrong

 For the last 5 years I mourn Riley on the date she passed, or at least I thought she passed, on any other days I would be trying my best to continue with life, trying to build a better one for her to come home to 
But evidently I'm neglecting that right now 

Right now all that matters is Riley and figuring out what is going on so that I can take her home, I can take her back to where she belongs 

"I'll be okay, I promise. Please I just need some time" I said before hearing him sigh
"Okay, I'll try keep your mother and sister off your back temporarily but keep in touch okay? Don't go down this dark road alone" He warned me 

I wasn't going down the dark road alone, I was chasing someone. Someone who didn't want to be chased but someone I couldn't dare let go..

As I started to head back to the Bed and Breakfast, I passed a flat block, there had to only be a handful of them in this town. I knew that she must be in one of them right?
But I wasn't expecting to see her with her feet hanging out of one of the windows landing on the metal fire escape 
She looked like she was contemplating a lot.. There was a lot on her mind and god she wasn't alone with that

Before I had the chance to call up to her or make her aware I was here.. She picked up a small child into her arms, from the distance it looked like a little girl 
One who looked exactly like Riley.. One who looked no more then a year old 
Meaning... She was someone elses

Riley hugged her daughter closer to her chest as the pair swayed side to side while Riley closed her eyes

Riley wasn't the same girl I once knew, this Riley was different. She was reserved, she was a mother. She was still my Riley but grown up
She was doing all the things we were supposed to do together 
But this time she was doing them alone 

I never thought I would say this.. 
But I really hope she is doing them alone. I can't stand the thought of her doing this with another guy..