Demi-God: The Lost

Chapter Four

Riley slowly opens her eyes. The bright light of the sun forcing them closed with a wince. The events that happened last night are still foggy in her memory. There was a weird man with deep red eyes and was freakishly strong.

"Oh! You're awake!" Hiding behind a tree is a boy around Riley's age. He has rosie red hair and ocean blue eyes that have a slight pink to them. He walks over to Riley, a fruit in his hands, "Here, I figured you might be hungry." Riley stares at the fruit being held out to her, "It's an apple, you like apples right?" With a small nod she grabs the apple and scans the exterior of the fruit.

The apple is a lot nicer than the ones she's used to eating. Everything around her looks nicer too.

The place is beautiful. There's a large field with dozens of flowers and wheat even. The canal runs along the middle of the field, separating it into two. The other side has many hills and few trees, whereas this side is mainly flat with tons of trees. She has to be near the many lakes surrounding Rainsville.

"My name is Flynn! What's your name?!" He shouts with a big smile. Riley looks at the apple and begins eating it. The fruit is incredibly delicious. Probably the best fruit she's ever had.

"Riley. Riley Rykers." She mumbles. Flynn falls backwards onto the blanket, his hands resting behind his head. His gaze shifts to the sky. It looks like an endless ocean up there.

"There you are, Flynn!" Flynn sits up with a sparkle in his eyes. An old man walks over to the two, he has a large white beard and a farmer's hat. The man sits down across from Flynn and Riley.

"Grandpa!!" Flynn shouts happily, "This is Riley! My new friend!" Riley frowns, a new friend? Since when did they become friends? The old man laughs and rubs his beard gently.

"That's good, Flynn. I'm glad you can make some friends. Miss Riley, could you tell me why you were floating down the river?" Riley releases a deep sigh, her gaze fixated on the dandelions surrounding the blanket.

She reaches over and picks one from its stem. The small yellow petals holding tight to its base. The red eyes of the man from before appear in her mind. But so do the blue eyes that belong to her.

Maybe it's best if she keeps it to herself.

"I...um...I ran away from home," She mutters. She had left Mai and Benny and even Mary back home. Mai and Mary can surely take care of themselves.

But what about Benny? He can't go home, not with Joe in jail. And Mary isn't in any position to care for him. Riley can't rely on Mai to care for Benny either. She's got a life to live and no way can she drop Benny on Mai's mother.

Riley rubs her eyes and sighs gently.

"I don't have a family of my own. The only family I have left is being taken from me. I don't know what to do." The old man thinks to himself quietly, his gaze on the fields beyond the canal.

Whereas Flynn is staring at the sky with his feet reaching for the stars like he could actually touch one. "Go home, my dear. I know life is difficult. I know the feeling of being overwhelmed and believing that there isn't anything you can do."

She drops her head and fidgets with her hair. How is she supposed to go home when her life is ruined all because of Drunk Joe?

"Believe me, Riley." He places a gentle hand on her head. "Although it may seem like the end of the world, I promise you it is only the beginning." The old man's eyes sparkle with a look of marvel as he scans Riley's eyes as if he's looking for something.

"Keep faith in those around you, and they just might prove there is still kindness in their hearts." The old man gives Riley the most gentle smile she's ever received- and that's telling a lot with Mai around.