The Girl They Couldn't Find

Chapter 14

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-Claire 25/11/15
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Lucas' POV
In a way, I was glad that Riley ran away. My courage vanished the moment I looked into that exquisite sea of chocolate brown that she called eyes.

But it broke my heart.

Riley screamed, and her face was as white as a ghost. She dashed off to the toilets, and everyone else was told to stay away from the situation.

Maya ran up to me with her date_______.

"He's back Lucas!"
"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"
"We've got to help her!"
"Maya, what did the demon who looked like me do to Riley?"

Maya's date and my friend_______was dragged onto the dance floor by Yogi and Dennis, and Maya looked right into my eyes. Agony was all I saw.

"You have to understand...it didn't really happen."
"Maya..."
"She's still a virgin."
"How does this have anything to do with Demon Lucas?!"
"Lucas..." Maya didn't have to say anymore. I knew what had happened now.

I swear, my heart stopped and I wanted to crawl into a hole and die. Maya put her head on my chest, and I just stood there, frozen.

"It was only part of her mind...but do you remember when we went to the water park? She had bruises all over her thighs. Those demons are figments of Riley's imagination...and they can harm her in real life too."
"That is some f-ed up psychology."
"Someone's getting dirty."
"Explain, please!!"
"We need to help Riley. Before she actually kills herself."

"Lucas? Maya?"

Mr. Matthews ran up to us, biting his fingernails and on the phone with Mrs. Matthews, who had taken Auggie home after 10pm.

"Help my daughter. Please." Mr. Matthews subsequently went to call the Mental Health Hotline.

Farkle burst onto the scene. "Riley's locked herself in the toilets, we've got to go now!"
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Riley's POV
"No, no, no!" I screeched, louder than the most tragic banshee.

"You can't be back, please don't! You're hurting me!"

Demon Lucas merely stared malevolently at me. "Didn't you miss me Riles?" he hissed, ripping my dress.

"Don't you dare!"
"Come on Riley."
"Y-You're not real!"
"Then why are there bruises all over your legs?"

I aimed a roundhouse kick at his stomach. The good news is that I hit his stomach.

The bad news is, I didn't hurt him.

Rip. My gorgeous dress was now a mass of torn material. He grabbed my hair, and pulled hard, as if he was controlling a rampaging bull. I screamed, attempting to fight against him weakly. He made me want the pain, feel the pain.

Unexpectedly, Maya, Lucas and Farkle entered the room at top speeds, out of breath and yelling. Demon Lucas snarled, and everything went black.
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"She's awake!"

My head was pounding, as if a heavy metal band was playing music inside my head at full volume. The bathroom floor was surprisingly quite comfortable.

"Riley!" Farkle exclaimed, examining my ruined dress with a portable microscope.

"How can the demon do that to you?" Lucas interrogated, squeezing my hand tightly. I was lying on the dance floor. I twisted my aching neck over, and the clock read: 1:46

"You okay Riley?" Dad gently pushed me up, and I wrapped my arms around him, trying hard to cry.
As we drove home, I looked out the window and sighed.

I knew what I had to do.
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Maya's POV
I couldn't bear to see her like that. Riley is my best friend. No matter how annoying her optimism and excessive smiles are, I don't think I could live without her.

I just needed an escape.

Is that selfish? My best friend was being murdered from the inside, and I was the one begging for an escape.

I can't bear the pain of seeing Riley like this.

As I walked through Manhattan, the summer breeze kissed my cheeks. Traffic roared past me, and I thumped my high heels against the slate grey pavement. Mr. Matthews had offered to drive me home, but I wasn't going home tonight. Besides, Mum was forced to leave after I received my diploma, and I wouldn't see her for another two days. She was away in a business trip, promoting the sales of 'Topanga's Tortellini.'

I headed towards a certain apartment block, my heart thudding beneath my chest. He understood me. His sister had committed suicide when he was thirteen. Through the ordeal, he held me tight and promised to never let go. He held my hand when I dropped it, and really should've gone to jail for stealing my heart.

I knocked on the door. As it slowly opened, I could feel a rhinoceros jamming its horn against the inside of my stomach.

"Hey Maya," he susurrated. His teeth were pearly white, and his eyes lit up the entire apartment.

"Riley's demons are back," I managed to choke out. I couldn't speak; anxiety was tightening my  throat. His eyes widened, and he ushered me inside, and we reclined on the couch.

"Maya...I had fun at graduation," he mumbled, softly brushing his fingers across my hand. I looked into his dark brown eyes, and felt my heart flutter.

"Help me forget," I breathed as his hands moved down to my waist. I felt my heartbeat quicken, and I felt my sweaty  face burn up. I settled my hands on his, and he kissed me gently. Fire burned through my body. I had never felt this way before. I pressed into his lips, kissing him passionately, and I felt electricity fly through my body, making me feel like I was on top of the world.

He pulled away and whispered, "I love you."

I took his hand, and let the night live young.
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"Morning Maya."

I grinned as he wrapped me in a bear hug and kissed my cheek. I flipped the second pancake, and the pancakes looked exceptionally delicious, if I do say so myself. The sun streamed in through the window, and the pleasing smell of lavender filled the kitchen.

"Put on a shirt you doof!" I groaned, nudging him away. He smirked suavely, and I felt my insides melt like butter.
"You're wearing it." I WAS wearing his oversized shirt with a guitar motif that said: ROCK OR NOT.

"When are your parents coming home?" I queried, as he snatched a perfect pancake form the pile, and scoffed it down in the blink of an eye.
"Tonight, so we have the whole day to ourselves. I'm glad I'm going to Pennbrook with you."
"I'm glad we had last night," I giggled, and I kissed him, and his lips turned upwards into a smile.

All of a sudden, my phone rang.

"What up Farkle?"
"Where are you?!?!?!?"
"None of your beeswax." Farkle sounded like he hadn't slept, and I could hear the worry in his voice.
"Farkle, why did you call?"
"..."

There was an agonising pause, and _______ exchanged worried looks with me. (A/N: I did it again, >;) who Maya with?)

"Maya...Riley's gone missing."