The Ghost Of You

Chapter Thirty Eight

Riley

Harrison still clung to me like he always would every time that Billy had one of his meltdowns years ago. It is actually killing me to know that he remembers it all. I had prayed that he wouldn't..
"He's not going to come back is he?" Harrison whispered into the crook of my neck
"No baby, he isn't" I hoped. I couldn't promise that and I knew that but I had hope
"Are you two okay?" Eldon asked coming back into the room with both West and James 
James instantly came and stood next to me wrapping an arm around both Harrison and I

"Harrison, can you stay with your Dad while I got find Michelle?" I asked but Harrison only clung to me tighter
"No" Was on he said making me sigh
I should have guessed he would get himself into this state

"How about you going to our bed and have a lay down then I'll come join you as soon as I've spoken with Michelle?" I asked 
"You'll come back?" He asked softly and I nodded
"I promise monkey" I whispered kissing the top of his head 

A moment or two later he was safely back on the floor running off to the bedroom, he's a lot bigger now so I didn't think I anticipated the relief I would feel from putting him down

"Are you okay babe?" James asked and I nodded
"I need to find Michelle" I reminded him
"Why?" West asked, I bet in their heads she probably off sulking or worrying about what just happened but the tone he had made me think the worst
What if he was manipulating her like he used to do with me?
What is he was doing exactly what he would do to me?

Without a second thought, I headed straight out the back door. I could see Hunter and Sienna over by the rockpools looking at some shells while I could also see Michelle sat on the rocks over by the water
She had her head in her hands which was only solidifying my fears 

"Michelle?" I called making her turn to look at me, she had the same soft vacant look in her eyes she did the moment that Harrison told her the basis of what Billy had done
"Riley, I h-had" She started before bowing her head
"I'll go" She mumbled standing up attempting to walk past me but the second she tried to, I took a hold of her wrist pulling her back

"Don't leave Mich, talk to me please" I said making her look at me confused
"Why would you want me to do that Riley? I just brought someone back into your life the moment you came back to us?" She said but I shook my head pulling her into a tight hug I knew she needed 

"Billy isn't a nice guy, just like Harrison said but you weren't to know that. You probably had no idea of the connection between us and him and that's okay Michelle. I'm certainly not blaming you for that. Nobody is" I said but she shook her head pushing her hair out from around her face
"none of this is your fault okay? But I want to ask you something" I said watching as her eyes panicked slightly 

"Did he do something to you Michelle?" I asked watching as the panic in her eyes only become more frantic 
That is all I needed to see..

--

James

Riley had left in search of Michelle, the boys went to find Hunter and Sienna while I had one place in mind to go 
I walked through the corridor before coming to mine and Riley's room. I knew that Harrison would probably be camped out in there for the rest of the trip at least 
I don't know what he saw growing up, I don't know what was going through his head but I need to know that he is okay or he was at least going to be okay..

I walked into the room to see him laying on Riley's side of the bed clinging to the old baby blanket that he never sleeps with anymore
His entire body was squished together in a tight ball while he squeezed his eyes tightly closed

 I'd seen Harrison in a lot of different states over the last few years but even this was something new..

"Hey buddy" I whispered leaning down in front of him, I watched as he opened his eyes looking directly at mine
His eyes that were usually full of light and warmth were empty as they slowly and silently filled with tears
"Oh Harrison" I said moving forward so I was on the bed with him pulling him in closer
Harrison grew out of hugs and cuddles faster then I would have wanted, I got maybe half a year of them before he became too cool for them 
But right now this was exactly what he needed

"I didn't get to protect Mum back then Dad" he cried gripping onto my tightly
"I tried but I couldn't" He continued as I stroked his back to offer him some sort of comfort
"That wasn't your fault Harrison, you were only little when it was happening. I know that you did everything you could do" I said
"nobody here is blaming you for what happened but you need to remember something now" I said making his breath hitch as he looked up at him

"You are safe" I whispered as his breath started to slow down while he rested his head back on to me 

"I promise you, all of you are safe" I said again laying a soft kiss on the top of his head while he slowly but surely nodded off