New beginnings

|12| Even?

-Ryker-

The streets were quiet at this hour. The kind of quiet that presses down on you, making every step feel heavier. But I wasn't out for peace of mind. This late-night walk had a purpose.

When Dad was alive, he always said, "Every decision comes with a price, Ryker. You just have to be ready to pay it." He paid his price, leaving me with the bill.

After he died, the cracks in our family became trenches. Mom wasn't herself anymore.The coke took over fast. At first, it was subtle. She'd disappear for hours, claiming she was just "out with friends." Then it became days. I found her one night, passed out on the couch, a line still on the coffee table next to her. Skye was crying in her room, terrified because Mom hadn't cooked dinner in days.

I was fifteen when the first wave of Dad's "business partners" came knocking. I didn't understand it all back then, but Dad had been involved with some dangerous people. The kind of people who don't care that he's gone-they just want what they're owed.

One night, I was walking home when a group of older guys jumped me. They weren't just random thugs; they were people Dad had crossed. I still remember their faces, the way they cornered me, demanding money I didn't have. It took everything in me to get away that night, and even then, I barely made it.

That was the moment I realized: I was on my own.

So now, I deal with them. I meet them when they call, give them whatever scraps I can pull together. I don't want Skye or Mom anywhere near this. It's my mess to clean up.

That's why I was out at 2 a.m., walking to meet one of these guys. My heart was pounding, but I kept my face steady. The last thing you can show these people is fear.

But as I turned a corner, I spotted a small figure in the distance, running. At first, I thought it was nothing-just someone out late. But the closer they got, the more I realized something was wrong.

It was Madeline.

She was running like she was trying to outrun her demons. Her steps were uneven, her body swaying.

And then, just as I was about to call out to her, she stumbled.

Instinct took over. I ran toward her, catching her just before she hit the ground.

"Mads! Are you okay?" I asked, holding her up as she tried to steady herself. Her skin was clammy, her breathing shallow.

She blinked at me, clearly out of it. "What are you doing out so late?!" I demanded, shaking her lightly to keep her conscious. "This is so dangerous-you can't do that."

"It's nothing. I'm fine," she muttered weakly, trying to push me away. "I was just out on a run."

"A run? At 2 a.m.? Are you crazy?" My voice was sharper than I intended, but I couldn't help it.

"I'm completely fine, see?" she insisted, trying to walk away. But her legs wobbled, and I caught her again before she could fall.

"This isn't about me," I said, frustrated. "Come sit here." I led her to a bench nearby, and for once, she didn't argue. She sank onto the bench, clearly drained.

Her silence worried me. "What were you thinking, Madeline?" I asked, my voice softer now. "You could've gotten seriously hurt."

She didn't answer, just looked away.

"Thanks," she whispered after a moment, her voice barely audible.

I let out a sigh, running a hand through my hair. "You scared the hell out of me, Mads."

She looked up at me, surprised. I guess she didn't think anyone cared about her anymore. But I did. I always have.

I guided Madeline to the bench, and she sank down with a shaky sigh. I stayed standing for a moment, unsure if I should sit or give her space. Eventually, I lowered myself beside her, the silence stretching between us.

"You okay?" I asked, glancing at her.

"Yeah... just a little dizzy," she murmured, staring at her hands.

We sat there quietly, the cold air biting at my skin. It was late, and the shadows from the streetlights stretched long across the sidewalk. I turned to her, breaking the silence.

"Mads, I'm sorry."

Her head snapped toward me, eyes wide. "For what?"

"For being... I don't know, missing, I guess. I've been trying to talk to you, but you don't exactly make it easy," I admitted, my voice softer than usual.

She looked away, her fingers tugging at the sleeves of her hoodie. "I didn't think you'd want to talk to me," she said after a pause.

I frowned. "Why wouldn't I?"

She let out a bitter laugh. "Because you're friends with Chloe and Clara, and everyone else who hates me. Why would you want to?"

"Mads," I said firmly, waiting for her to look at me. When she finally did, I sighed. "It's not that simple. Yeah, they're my friends, but... I care about you, too. I just don't know what's going on with you lately."

Her expression softened, but she didn't respond. Instead, she leaned back against the bench, staring up at the sky.

"So... Jayden," I said after a moment, shifting gears. "You guys seem close."

She blinked, her head snapping back down. "What about him?"

"I don't know," I said, trying to sound casual. "Just seems... weird."

"Weird?" she echoed, her tone defensive.

"Yeah," I said slowly. "I heard you weren't fond of him when you were younger. What changed?"

She shrugged, her expression unreadable. "People grow up, Ryker."

"Right," I muttered, but the uneasy feeling didn't go away. There was something off about Jayden. I just couldn't put my finger on it.

I hesitated, my next question lingering on the tip of my tongue. Finally, I decided to just say it. "Can I ask you something?"

Madeline turned her head toward me, her brows furrowing. "What is it?"

I took a deep breath, steadying myself. "When I was talking to Clara... she mentioned something. She seemed worried about you. Said she was scared you might be... relapsing."

Her face went pale, and her body stiffened beside me.

"What?" she said, her voice barely above a whisper.

"I didn't know what she meant," I said quickly, watching her reaction. "But it's been stuck in my head. What's she talking about, Mads?"

She didn't answer. Her hands curled into fists in her lap, and her gaze stayed fixed on the ground.

"Madeline," I said gently, leaning closer. "You can tell me."

She shook her head, her voice sharp. "I think I should go home now."

"Wait, Mads-"

"No," she said, standing up abruptly. "I'm fine. Really."

I stood up with her, not wanting to push too hard. "Okay. I'll walk you home."

She didn't argue, just nodded and started walking. I fell into step beside her, glancing at her every so often. She looked closed off, her shoulders tense, her face a mask.

I wanted to say something, to ask again, but I could tell she wasn't ready.

When we reached her house, she paused on the porch and looked back at me.

"Thanks, Ryker," she said quietly. "For... everything."

I nodded. "Anytime."

She hesitated for a moment, like she wanted to say more, but then she turned and went inside, the door clicking softly behind her.

As I walked back home, her reaction kept playing in my mind. What had Clara meant? What was Madeline hiding?

Whatever it was, it wasn't nothing.

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Sorry for the short chapter but I hope you enjoyed!<3