Records Later, Still Confined (Sequel to BTC)

Chapter 27 (Trigger Warning)

A/N: Trigger Warning: Violent mentions of abuse and rape. This chapter contains a violent rape scene/flashback/memory/dream. The most violent thing I've ever written is in this chapter so when you see italics, you may want to not read it.

No One's POV

Chris walks out of the bedroom the next morning to find Sabrina standing near Riley's closed bedroom door. Chris raises an eyebrow.

"Do I even wanna know?"

"Sshh!" Sabrina shushes.

"I'll say again: do I even wanna know?" Chris asks, at whisper level this time.

Sabrina rolls her eyes, "Riley's gonna sing, now come listen!"

Chris rolls his eyes, but then decides to just go with it and leans against the door with Sabrina.

x

Moments prior.

Max wakes up in Riley's bed, alone. She sits up, holding the covers to herself. She then spots Riley, siting on the couch with a guitar in her lap.

Max smiles, "Hey."

Riley smiles, "Morning."

Max quirks an eyebrow, "You're gonna sing some more, huh?"

Riley grows serious, "Well...My little performance yesterday was sort of impromptu, so I wasn't able to make it as perfect as I could. And...I started thinking about how, yeah, we've been together for a year, but...we are still pretty young..."

"And?"

"And I sometimes feel like because of that, the universe is just sort of waiting for you and I to split, and I don't want that to happen."

"I don't either; so we won't let it happen."

Riley gives a small smile, "Well, I've just had this song stuck in my head all morning..."

"Which one?"

Riley pauses, then starts strumming her guitar.

x

Meanwhile.

Sabrina leans back again leans back against the wall by the door, "We probably shouldn't be doing this, should we?" She whispers.

"Probably not."

"But we're not gonna leave, are we?"

"We are not."

They hear Riley start to play her guitar and sing.

I found myself dreaming
In silver and gold
Like a scene from a movie
That every broken heart knows

Sabrina puts a hand on her chest and smiles, "I love this song..."

We were walking on moonlight
And you pulled me close
Split second and you disappeared
And then I was all alone
I woke up in tears
With you by my side
A breath of relief
And I realized...
No, we're not promised tomorrow...

"Singing a love song to get the girl. Well done, Riley." Chris says at whisper level in a joking manner.

So I'm gonna love you
Like I'm gonna lose you
I'm gonna hold you
Like I'm saying goodbye...
Wherever we're standing
I won't take you for granted
'Cause you'll never know when
When we run out of time...
So I'm gonna love you...
Like I'm gonna lose you...
I'm gonna love you...
Like I'm gonna lose you...