The Ghost Of You

Chapter Twelve

James 

I wasn't surprised to see that Piper was the first person awake. It had been that way growing up but I don't know since I'd been here I don't think there had been a time where Harrison hadn't woken up first
"Morning Pipes" I said earning a nod from her direction
Riley and Piper's reunion last night was certainly not what any of us had anticipated. It was a lot more intense that I thought it would have been

I thought that they would fall into each others arms like no time had passed but instead they were distance. They could barely talk to each other
There was a burnt bridge between the pair of them but I don't doubt that over time they'll fix it 

"How are you doing?" I asked pouring myself a cup of coffee from the pot
"James, this doesn't seem real" She whispered making me sigh taking a seat next to her

"I know what you mean, I keep think I'm about to wake up and she'll be gone again" I said before Piper began to tap her nails against the cup
"Who do you think it is?" She asked turning to look at me
"I have no idea" I muttered looking back out at the room

I have no idea who in our family would want to hurt Riley, who wouldn't want Riley around. Our entire family adores her or at least that is what I thought..

"It can't have been Mum or Dad. They both see her as more of a daughter, they even offered her to move in when you left for tour" Piper said smiling to herself slightly at the memory
"she had taken them up on the offer the day she left" Piper added making her shoulder sink a little 
"All we know is that she went near the bars and Dad's office that night. But it doesn't make sense" I reminded her

"James" Piper said making me hum in response
"Dad wasn't even at his office the day Riley disappeared. Mum made him take it off as it was the first full day without you. We all wanted him home plus they were planning on helping Riley move her things" She said only making me even more confused
"if he had been at the office, I'm certain he would be able to tell us more about it" Piper said and I nodded
"Have any of us asked Dad about any sort of CCTV of the day Riley went missing?" I asked but Piper thought for a moment before shaking her head

"I guess because she wasn't meant to be there, we assumed she wasn't there?" She asked making me sigh nodding knowing she had a point
But this point was one I wanted - I needed to explore.. 

If Riley wasn't at Dad's office, she had no reason to be in that side of town. There was really no explanation, every time I think we are getting somewhere it turns out to be a dead end and then we're back to square one 

"Those kids are my niece and nephew huh?" Piper asked making me smile with a nod
"You'll love them Piper" I chuckled
"Harrison may look like me but don't let it fool you, he is Riley through and through" He said making her smile
"And Sienna may look like Riley but I'm slowly and surely becoming her favourite" I winked
"Harrison is a character and a half, you should see how he is with Sienna. It reminds me of us when we were kids" I said making Piper smile widely before sighing 

"How did we end up here James?" She questioned but I shook my head
" I don't know Piper but I'm going to do all I can to get us all back on track" I said offering her a sympathetic smile but I knew she could see straight through it 

--

The rest of the morning continued, it got to almost midday when a sickly feeling started to creep up onto me
Riley and the kids hadn't woken up yet. I hadn't gone to check on them purely down to the fact I know both kids are incredibly light sleepers and the last thing I wanted to do was disturb them

But sleeping this late was not like them 

I turned to look at Piper who looked oblivious to it all while she sat there watching TV, but I couldn't shift that feeling 
The more I looked around the living room, the more I started to notice things
Small things.. but only just noticeable

Harrison's colouring that I had put on the kitchen island was no longer there, Sienna's blanket that was folded on the back of the sofa was gone. 
Her nappy bag that is usually by the front door, gone 

Riley's bag was nowhere to be seen either, this cannot be happening 

I looked over at the stand where all of their shoes usually sat, Riley's trainers weren't there, Sienna's shoes gone and Harrison's favourite pair.. the ones that light up were nowhere to be seen

" no no no" I panicked rising to my feet making Piper jump up turning to look at me
"What the hell James?" She said clutching her chest while I ran to the back of the flat, I pulled open the door to Harrison's room, it was empty. His wardrobe was open and there was barely anything hanging up

His room looked bare almost, most of his stuffed animals were gone. Including the Zebra he cannot seem to sleep without
His bed wasn't made but his bed was cold. He hadn't been in it for sometime now.. 

"Shit" I cursed rushing over to Riley's room, none of them were in there. Riley's dresser still had one draw open but it was empty
Sienna's emergency clothes from Riley's wardrobe were gone. They can't be..

"James what is going on?" Piper asked coming into the room looking around

"They're gone Piper.." I said before falling to my knees, this cannot be happening..