The Ghost Of You

Chapter Twenty Four

Riley

"All I'm saying is that you don't need to worry about it Ri. Remember they were basically our family growing up" James said as we sat in the living room the following day.
I appreciate what he was trying to do, he wanted me to rekindle all of the friendships I had before I left but I can't 
Not without Harrison here. He should be here too, he should be meeting everyone alongside us
This isn't fair 

"Can we please just wait until Harrison is back James. I can't deal with all of this right now" I said picking up Sienna and walking over to the balcony 

I didn't want to argue with him, I knew he had the best intentions but without Harrison here my motivation to do anything is limited
Looking down at Sienna she was smiling, giggling playing with one of her toys. She was oblivious over everything that had gone one. She didn't need too know what was happened, I'm glad that it isn't affecting her as much as it could. 
But I need Harrison back
I need him more then I think anyone realises..

"Ri" James whispered making me look over my shoulder to see him leaning against the doorway
"I'm sorry James, I really am but-" I started before cutting myself off 
"Bubby?" Sienna said grabbing both of our attention. The moment those words left her lips I closed my eyes 

Sienna isn't able to say Harrison, she isn't at that age yet so it was always Bubby to her, just like when Harrison was little Sienna was Sissy. 
It's one of their little things together 

"Riley, breathe" James said coming over to the pair of us
"Can you watch her while I walk around the block or something please" I mumbled but James shook his head holding me in his arms
"Don't shut me out" He pleaded
"James, I need some space, I need to think. Please" I whispered looking at him hoping none of the tears would actually fall

"I will if you promise me something" He said stroking my hand lightly in the hope it would calm me down enough to accept his deal
"Promise me you'll come home" He added making me close my eyes again

"James" I whispered but he shook his head
"Promise me Riley or we'll be coming with you. I refuse to lose you again" He said, I wanted to promise him. I really did
But that wasn't something I could. This place didn't feel like home 
There was a level to it but it was completely home

"We're going to get him back. He's going to be okay, you're going to be okay. We are all going to be okay. But in order for us to do that you have to trust me, you have to come home Riley" He pleaded pulling me closer 
"I swear to you Riley, I'm not going to stop until he's home" James spoke softly placing his forehead against mine 
"I promise" I mumbled looking up at him watching as his big brown eyes light up slightly 
There was a light in them that I had only seen a few times, when I gave him the motivation to pass Maths, when I gave him the list, when I told him I loved him for the first time. 
It was his tell, his biggest one at that 

--

One thing I will never understand about this place is how we can grow up here but still not ever see the same thing twice 
This place was big enough to house millions of people. Each of them having their own motives, their own goals for the day
Most of them follow a pattern but never do they repeat it to the same exact point 
It's one of the things I loved about this place 

It's one of the many thing I know Harrison would love about this place 

He's my adventurous boy, just like James
He isn't one to care about the consequences as long as the journey was fun. The same little boy who was at his happiest sitting on the diner floor with his little sister and his Mum playing with some soft blocks before Sienna would knock them down

I need him, She needs him. This can't be the end of his story..

Before I could take a deep breath in, my phone in my pocket began to ring and I instantly knew it would be James. I had been gone for longer then a walk around the block but sitting in the middle of the city centre is exactly what I needed
"James I'm coming-" I started before a small scared voice cut me off
"Mum, Mum? is that you?" Harrison's strained voice said making my eyes instantly well with tears 

"Harrison, baby I'm here. Where are you?" I cried pushing all of my hair out of my face frantically looking around as if I was about to see him

"Now now Riley, I thought you would have been smarter then that" Another voice chuckled, one that sent shivers down my back faster then I could say boo
"Paul. Don't you dare touch him" I growled 
"I don't think you are in the position to be making those demands Riley" He said 
"Let me talk to my Mum!" I heard Harrison yell before being met with a sound of his scream 

"If you lay another hand on him I swear to god. Leave him the hell alone!" I yelled drawing attention of a few people around me 

"Riley Riley Riley. I warned you, so many god damn times about coming back. About messing with James" Paul added
"What did you really think? That you could come back and play happy families with him? I think you're missing a kid for that. After all Sienna isn't James' is she" He said, I could hear the smirk on his lips while he taunted me

"What do you want?" I asked
"What I want is for you to really be gone. I don't want you back but now that you have my family attached to these kids. I want you gone but you'll leave them behind with James" He said making my breath hitch 

"I can't" I whispered
"If you want your little boy happy and safe, then you'll do as I tell you" He growled

"You have 24 hours Riley. If I see you anywhere near James or the family after that.. Taking Harrison will be the least of your problems" Paul said right as the call ended