It's a Nightmare

Chapter Fourteen

Lucas

I lay in the guest room bed, arms behind my head, staring up at the ceiling. Thoughts about my father raced through my mind, making me too restless to sleep, even though I could still feel the after effects of the panic attack.

Lucas Friar, you should be ashamed of yourself. Throwing yourself into the hands of Riley and her family. You're way too much for them to handle.

You don't deserve to stay with them.

As soon as I get out of prison, I'm going to give you what you deserve.

"You're not going to get out of prison Father. I'm going to speak against you."

You really want to do that? I know things about you. Things that will make me seem innocent and you guilty. Do you really want to take that chance?

I bit my lip, pondering his words.

"You're right Father. I don't deserve to be here. The only reason I'm here is because Riley and her family feel bad for me."

"Lucas?" A small voice came from the door. I looked up, craning my neck. It was Riley. She had pulled her brown curls up into a ponytail and now wore cropped black leggings and a white tank top with a red sequinned heart on it. Isaac was in her arms.

"Yeah Riley?"

"Dinner." She said quietly, keeping her eyes on the ground.

I followed her out of the room and into the kitchen. We sat down on the bench. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Riley scoot slightly away from me. She completely ignored me and went about feeding my brother. Something twinged in my gut. A little bit of...hurt. Yep, that was it.

"Thank you for dinner." I said.

Topanga smiled, "Thank you Lucas. I hope you enjoy it."

She scooped a large serving of Shepards Pie onto my plate. My mouth started watering. It looked so good. But something Father said popped into my head.

You're going to get very fat, Lucas. You won't be able to do anything if you get fat. Don't eat so much. We won't be able to afford it.

I scooped a little bit of mashed potatoes into my mouth, washing it down with a sip of water.

"Lucas, are you okay?" Auggie asked.

"Yeah. I'm okay." I continued picking at my food. "I'm just not very hungry."

"Would you like something else?" Topanga asked. My heart started racing. My stomach was churning.

"N-no. I'm good."

I ate another bite.

"So Lucas," Corey-Riley's dad-said. "What do you want to be when you're older?"

My hands felt clammy.

I have to get out of here

"A social worker." I responded. "Or someone that works in an orphanage. I want to work with kids."

"Very cool. Why do you want to work with kids?"

I started hyperventilating, "May I please be excused?"

Topanga and Corey looked at me with concern.

"Sure."

I raced into the bedroom, closing the door behind me.

I flopped down on the bed, breathing heavily.

"Calm down Lucas. Calm down. Why are you panicking?"

"I'm surrounded by people I don't know in a place I barely know. They're asking me questions. Riley's ignoring me. I haven't seen my brother since I got here, except for dinner. And my father could get out of prison and come after me."

"Lucas, I'm not ignoring you. Im a little sad. A little angry. A little hurt. But I'm not ignoring you. I'm sorry if it seems like that."

My breathing settled, "Riley?"

The bed dipped; warm arms wrapped around me.

"I'm here Lucas."