Found (New Earth Saga)

Ch. 50

***RIVER POV***

Eric is alive. So many mixed emotions surrounded this truth. While I was glad my lie hadn't inadvertently gotten him killed, that didn't mean that it left him unscathed. Eric was in a coma, and essentially had been since being discovered in the woods near the hospital. No one knew how he even got there but somehow he did. Aside from that building mystery, I was growing more and more anxious about what might happen once/if Eric were to wake. Eric could reveal my lie. Eric could reveal what I'd done to Kerry. Eric would think I left him there as we never had chance to help him. What would the consequence be for my actions?

Every action resulted in some type of consequence eventually. Even Kerry was facing a version of consequences after all the terrible things she's done. Outside of what she'd done to me and now Eric, Kerry had murdered numerous children. In the deepest pit of my stomach I somehow justified my brutal actions toward her by thinking of that fact. Ugh- I know that is wrong, but it is a truth I will reveal to myself, and myself alone.

After spending the rest of the weekend with Thomas and Blue, returning to school was overstimulating. From the moment I entered the human halls, every conversation was about Eric. Eric had been all over the news and social media once again now that he was found. Not that I had any intention of talking to anyone, but I was sure to keep to myself even more since everyone seemed to know about Eric getting suspended because of me. Of course they didn't know that was a lie... Gossip traveled way too fast around here.

My classes felt strange with the absence of Jacob and Issac. According to Parisa and the chatter of gossip I'd been hearing at school, Jacob and Issac had both been suspended. I also knew that Jacob had his phone taken this entire time, so that explained why he hadn't answered any of my messages. As for Issac, I don't know where things stand with us. Last I saw him was when he stormed out of the co-ed area to confront Jacob. When Issac came back to school would he be mad at me? Would that actually be a bad thing?

Thomas prohibited me from seeing Issac after he learned about how I actually got bruised up in the first place. I wanted to set things right and explain the truth to Issac, but if he didn't want to talk to me that I'd get to keep avoiding actually confronting the truth, which was something I was basically a pro at by now. But a big part of me didn't want to have anything negative between Issac and I, as he'd proven to be a delightful escape from the complex life I'd been thrust into upon moving to Wendleton... Moving back to Wendleton I guess.

I felt my eyes light up when I saw Jacob enter our 1st period class carrying Parisa. His bruised eye had almost completely healed now.

"River! How are you holding up?" Jacob asked as soon as he set Parisa down. We exchanged pleasantries, both seeming to know we needed to talk more in depth in the near future. "Wanna sit together at lunch?" Jacob asked. Before I could answer Parisa interjected.

"Yes! Let's do it!" Parisa said enthusiastically. Had Jacob told Parisa about what went down? I remember Jacob's parents suggesting he keep this from her, but that was days ago, and those two were practically twins. Gods, had Parisa known what I'd done to Kerry all these days? Known about my lie?! I had too many questions floating around my mind. Of course there was one question I absolutely couldn't help but raise as soon as I saw Jacob was back... did that mean Issac would be back too?

The answer to at least one of my questions came as soon as the elevator doors opened leading to the co-ed table I usually sat at with none other than Issac. As soon as I saw his bright green eyes light up, relief consumed my body.

"RIVER!" Issac's voice boomed as his hand reached out, scooping me up in a firm hold. It wasn't so tight that it hurt or anything, but a warning would have been nice. "Mother earth River! I am so sorry! I wanted to call you this whole time but my parents took my phone. I've been grounded and it's been the absolute worst but I'm going to make it up to you I swear!" Issac quickly pulled me away from his face and set me on the table as abruptly as he'd picked me up. "I picked you up without asking. I'm sorry. Gods, I need to start making a list of things I'm sorry for,"