Stranger At My Door

19. Drowning In Silence

DS Thompson re-entered the room with a soft click of the door. His presence brought a stillness that seemed to press the already suffocating tension down even harder.

"There is no new information at the moment," he began, his voice steady but flat. "I've had word from DCI Campbell to let you go home. She said she will update you as soon as anything comes in."

My heart sank, the emptiness of his words weighing heavier than I expected. No news. No leads. Just the same aching void, stretching on as Amber remained missing. I glanced at Ridge, whose expression was a mask of control, but his knuckles were white from the tension in his grip on the edge of the table.

Home. The word felt hollow, meaningless. How was I supposed to go home?

What home? I couldn't face Loretta. 

I didn't have a home anymore. 

Ridge stood, pulling me gently to my feet, his grip firm but careful. I followed him out of the station, the cold air biting at my skin the moment we stepped outside. The rain lashed down in relentless sheets, soaking us to the bone before we even reached the car. My breath came in short bursts as Ridge tugged me through the downpour, the world around us a blur of cold, wet chaos. By the time we slid into the car, water dripped from our clothes onto the seats, and I shivered uncontrollably.

Ridge flicked the heaters on full blast, the warmth flooding the small space, but it barely made a dent in the chill that had settled deep inside me. I could feel my damp clothes clinging to my skin, but that discomfort was nothing compared to the gnawing emptiness that filled me. No news. No leads. Just the endless uncertainty hanging over everything.

"Where am I supposed to go?" I asked rubbing my palms into my eyes. 

Ridge glanced at me, his face shadowed by the dim glow of the dashboard. His jaw tightened, and for a moment, I thought he wouldn't answer. 

"You can stay with me." He said, his voice low "If you want to" 

I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. The lump in my throat was growing tighter, and the warmth from the heaters, though welcome, did nothing to soften the cold knot of fear inside me.

I wiped my eyes, the weight of everything pressing down on my chest. The rain battered the car as we drove through the dark countryside, and with every passing mile, the sinking feeling grew deeper.

By the time we reached Ridge's apartment, my entire body felt heavy with exhaustion. Inside the warmth of Ridge's apartment building, the heat wrapped around me, but it barely touched the chill rooted deep inside. My clothes were still damp, clinging to my skin like a reminder of the chaos outside.

I followed Ridge to the door of his apartment,  I could fee him glancing at me from time to time, but he didn't say anything. 

I felt like I was going to crumble at any moment, there was nothing that could be said that would take away my guilt. 

Ridge opened the door allowing me to step inside first the warmth in the living room  wasn't enough to stop the trembling that had taken hold of me. Water dripped from my hair onto the floor, but I barely noticed. I stood there, feeling the weight of the night pressing down on me.

"I'll grab you something dry," Ridge said quietly after noticing how badly I was shaking.

I nodded, but I couldn't move. My feet were glued to the floor, the adrenaline from the night still rushing through me, mixing with fear and confusion. I felt like I was drowning in it all.

Ridge took a slow step toward me, concern etched on his face. 

"Sam?" His voice was soft, almost a whisper. He stopped in front of me, his hand hovering just above my arm as if he wasn't sure whether to touch me. "You're shaking."

He took my hand and led me into the next room. He stood me by the radiator, then went into his drawers and fished out a pair of joggers and a faded grey t-shirt.

"Here," Ridge said, holding out the clothes. His voice was gentle but full of concern. I took them, the fabric heavy in my hands, but I didn't move. I couldn't. I was frozen in place, the weight of the night pressing down on me.

He came closer, his presence steady and warm. He brushed a strand of wet hair from my face, his eyes searching mine. 

"You're worrying me," he said softly. "I'll get you some water. I think you're in shock."

His words barely registered. I could feel the concern in his voice, but I was too disconnected. I knew I didn't want him to move away from me.

As he went to leave, I reached out and grabbed his jacket, pulling him closer.

Ridge froze, his eyes widening in surprise as he felt my grip tighten. He looked down at my hand, then back into my eyes, his expression unreadable. I didn't know why I'd done it. I just knew I didn't want to be alone.

"Sam..." he began, his voice soft, hesitant, but I didn't give him time to finish.

I pulled him closer, my heart pounding as I crashed my lips against his. The kiss was urgent, desperate—like I was drowning, and he was the only thing keeping me afloat. Ridge stood still for a moment, shocked by my sudden move, but then he kissed me back, his hands instinctively finding my waist.

Without breaking the kiss, Ridge slid his hands under my thighs, lifting me off the ground. I gasped against his mouth, my arms wrapping around his neck as he carried me across the room. Before I knew it, I was perched on top of the chest of drawers, my legs wrapping around his waist.

His lips were hot against mine, his breath ragged as his hands moved across my back, pulling me closer. 

I pushed him away slightly and then lifted my wet jumper and t-shirt pulling it off of me and then pulled him back to me kissing him, needing him so I could feel something. 

Anything.