The Ghost Of You

Chapter Fourteen

Riley 

I managed to get Harrison into the small motel room with little to no objection last night, once again I don't think he was in the right mind set to be realising that James wasn't around. 
I couldn't help but think about how easy this would have been if he had come with 
But I don't think he would have given up everything to run with us. 
I couldn't ask him for that 

"Mum?" Harrison called the next morning sitting up in the large bed that we had all shared last night
"Where are we? Where is dad?" He asked.. here we go

"He uh, he had to go home baby. We've gone on a trip and we'll see him soon" I said trying to muster a smile that he'll believe 
"No he didn't" He said looking at me with anger
"He told me he wasn't going anywhere Mum! You made him leave didn't you!" He yelled this time spooking Sienna causing her to wake up, she let our a big wail as she does when she gets woken up

On any usual day.. Harrison would have rushed to her side but right now he was too angry at me

"I want to go with Dad. I don't want to be here" He yelled pushing himself off of the bed slamming the door to the bathroom

I knew that he was angry but I never expected Sienna to face the pain too. I walked over to her picking her up walking around attempting to soothe her but that wasn't working 
All of my usual tactics didn't work, bouncing her on my hip, rocking her back and forth.. Even singing to her
Nothing..

"Let me" Harrison grumbled walking out of the bathroom an hour later 
"It's okay" I said but he shook his head taking Sienna from my arms placing her down on the bed
I should know what to do with my own daughter, I've always known what to do 
How has things changed so much in a week.. 

Harrison had been laid on the bed with Sienna for some time now, her cries had slowly died down and I wouldn't be shocked if she hadn't fallen asleep again.
I was sat down on the sofa across the room from the bed hoping to give Harrison the time and space he needed but when he came to join me I was hoping silently he was wanting to talk 
"Is he coming back?" He whispered turning to look at me
"I don't know" I answered truthfully
"Can you be honest and tell me if he left?" He asked making my breath hitch 

"it's complicated Harrison" I explained but he shook his head
"You always say that Mum! If it was so complicated Dad would have never found us in the first place. He wanted to stay with us, he wanted to be with us" He said raising his voice again

"We left" I said bowing my head
"Why? Is it because of Auntie Piper?" he asked but I shook my head
"Harrison, there is a lot-" I started before he cut me off
"I don't care mum! You can't take me away in the middle of the night with out explaining things to me" he yelled before the noise behind us meant that Sienna was stirring again 

"Your Dad's uncle didn't want me around Harrison. He made that very clear, he'd already done something to me and I was not prepared to let him hurt you. If I didn't leave when I did then he would have done something to us, or to your Dad" I said blurting out everything I had kept hidden from James all week

"Your Dad found us, your Auntie found us. It was only a matter of time before their Uncle did to.. I can't let you two get hurt" I said with tears now flooding from my eyes 

I expected Harrison to yell again, to have more questions. To demand more answers but it was pleasantly surprised when his small arms wrapped around my sobbing chest pulling me towards him.. Comforting me just like he would used to as a baby 

"It's okay Mum. I'm sorry" Harrison whispered as I turned to cling to him
"I'll protect all of us. I promise" he whispered tightening his grip on me.

--

We'd gotten ourselves into a small routine for the last 3 days. Harrison and I haven't completely mended bridges. I don't think he'll forgive me for taking him away from James but I think he's slowly understanding 
Even though I wish he didn't need to..

"Mum can we go out today?" Harrison asked right as I had finished getting Sienna dressed
"side?" Sienna asked clapping her hands
We had been hiding in a city hoping it would give us a little bit more coverage then the small town. At least if James came looking here it would take him longer
"I'm sure we can find a park or something" I said offering both kids a smile
"Let's go Sienna!" Harrison cheered making his little sister clap her hands and giggle with glee

It wasn't as hard as I had anticipated to find a park, there was one in what I would call the heart of the city. It was surrounded by sky scrapers but inside the iron gates, it's almost like a brand new place. It's full of flowers and greenery
"Look Mum!" Harrison yelled before running off with Sienna kicking off of me trying to follow her brother
She's become more confident with her walking but still tends to be rather uneven on her feet
Nothing is going to stop her chasing after her big brother though

"Cute kids" A voice said as soon as I sat down on one of the benches close enough to watch Harrison and Sienna
"Uh thanks" I said offering the guy a soft smile before turning my attention back to the kids 

They were sat knee deep in the sand pit by now and I couldn't fault the smiles on their faces
It's almost like that last 2 weeks had never happened and we were merely on a vacation 

I turned briefly again as the guy who had spoken to me had got up grabbing my attention again
As he passed me he dropped a note over my shoulder letting it fall into my lap making me turn to him confused

He didn't look back at all, I didn't have a clue who he was or if I was meant to deem him familiar
But the moment I opened the note.. My blood ran cold 

I warned you to stay away from James, away from the entire family. Seems 5 years of being a ghost hasn't smartened you up at all. 

Keep an eye on those kids of yours Riley - Would hate for something to happen.

As soon as I read those words my eyes shot up to where Harrison and Sienna once were Harrison was still building his sandcastle while Sienna's attention had shifted to the same guy who gave me the note

This time he sat behind Sienna talking to her but the moment he looked at me, he smirked and nodded before getting up and walking away 

Who the hell is he...