Kids in the Dark

Chapter 6

Theo's P.O.V

Wandering down the tunnel grew tiresome after only a few steps, so I stopped for a second to pull my skateboard out from behind my back, the fabric of my shirt catching as I did so. Holding it in one hand I took a small run before, setting it down and jumping on. The sound of the wheels rumbling over stone echoed along with Ryders attempts to catch up with me. I lazily leaned side to side, rolling the board in a snake like pattern, pulling it to a stop as I reached the waterfall.

Ryder came jogging up behind me, setting his bags down with a sigh, and flopping down on the ground. I dumped my bags next to his and began to rummage through them for something. My hand finally felt the smooth surface of my shampoo bottle.

"I'm taking a shower," I muttered, getting to my feet. I gave my brother a once over before saying, " I think you should too." Ryder shot up, glaring over at me.

"I do not," He said indignantly. His eyes trailed down to the dark patches of sweat under his arms. "Okay, so maybe I do." I chuckled and turned to face the edge of the water, leaving him to rummage for his wash kit. I pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it behind me, doing the same with my other clothes, until I was bare. I jumped into the frigid water, instantly wishing I hadn't. I was hesitant about stepping under the rush of the waterfall.

Against my better judgment, I took a step forwards and was pelted by the water crashing down from above. Soon I was drenched, and I retreated back to where I had left my shampoo. I scooped it up and squirted its orange contents into the palm of my hand. I rubbed it into my greasy hair until my hands were covered in white foam. I was just about to rinse it out when I heard Ryder's feet padding softly on the ground.

"Hey." Ryder smiled. Dressed only in his swimming trunks, I could see him shivering as I glanced over his body. Feeling my eyes on him, he self-consciously folded his arm his torso, hiding from me the scars that I knew stretched across his right side. I looked away, and made my way back over to the water, to remove the suds from my hair.

When I finally felt clean I wrapped myself in an old towel brought over by Ryder, grateful for its warm embrace. "I'm gonna cook some food in a minute," I announced. Ryder gave me a thumbs up to indicate he heard, and I turned to find some clean clothes.

I dug around in my bag, before giving up my search and tipping the bags content on the floor. I snatched up a pair of very holey jeans and paired them with a plain white top, which clung to my damp skin. Over this, I pulled on a red and black flannel with 'Idiot' painted on the back and hid my damp hair beneath a gray beanie. Just then Ryder came up behind me and wrapped his arms around me, the excess water soaking through my shirts.

"Piss of," I moaned pushing him off me. "Stop being such and ass." I heard him chuckle behind me.

"I'm your brother, It's my job to get on your nerves." He smirked, turning to his bag to begin his search for a suitable shirt.

"Yeah well, I wish you wouldn't" I grumbled, elbowing him in the ribs, as I wandered over to the bag that contained the food. "How do you feel about hot dogs?"

"Sounds good." Ryder smiled, once again folding his arms over his scars. I sighed and wandered over to my messenger bag that was bursting with food. I shouldered it, the various cans inside it clanging as I moved. I set it down next to the small camp stove and proceeded to sort out its contents. Locating a can of hot dogs, and one of barbecue beans I then dumped the rest of the bag's contents on the floor and found the object I was looking for. Snatching up the can opener in my hand I cracked open cans and set them on the stove.

Soon after setting the cooker alight the food was ready, and I decanted it into two plastic bowls and called out to my brother.

"Ryder fo-" but that was all I had to say as seconds later Ryder came hurtling over to where I sat on the floor. I held a bowl out for him and it was instantly taken from my grasp. Ryder looked up from his food and glanced around like a frenzied animal. "Here" I chuckled holding out a fork, which he took and began to wolf down his food like he hadn't been fed in weeks. Shaking my head I began to eat my own food.

Once finished I set my empty bowl aside and drifted over to where Ryder sat licking his bowl. "That's disgusting." I rolled my eye's and reached behind me for the small radio. Ryder set his bowl aside and rolled over to lie on his stomach. I handed him the radio, which he turned on, and closed his eyes listening to High Valley's new song. I was about to lay back when I got up and sat on my brother's back. He let out a satisfying wheeze of air as I let his body take my weight.

"Theo," Ryder gasped. "Get your fat ass off me."

"No." I laughed at his failing attempts to push me off.

"Please. Can't breathe."

"Fine." I sighed, not wanting to kill my brother, but I soon regretted my decision. Upon standing up, Ryder tackled me to the ground, instantly moving to take his place on my stomach. In an instance, the air was forced out, and my ribs felt like they were bending under his weight. I reached a hand up, level with the back of his neck and dug my fingers into his weak spot. In reaction, Ryder's shoulders shot up, and he squirmed to get away from me. As the pressure was released from my chest, oxygen once again took its place in my lungs. I stood up ready to chase Ryder when my phone vibrated on the floor.

Scooping it up in my hands, I turned it on and scanned the notifications. Right at the top was a text from out step dad. His contact name reading 'Ass-hole'.

How dare you little bastards come back to this house and steal from me. If I see either of you again I will beat you to within an inch of your lives.

I twiddled my thumbs unsure what to send back when it hit me.

"Hey, Ryder. Can you take a picture?" I asked holding out the phone to him

"Yeah just tell me when." He took the phone and directed the camera at me. I held out my right hand, middle finger raised. I heard the click of the picture being taken then took a look at the photo I was being shown.

My face was completely hidden by my hand producing and overall quite artsy effect. I hit send and shut the phone off, leaving it on an upturned bucket.