The Storm

Part 12

           

Riley shut her eyes and took in a long deep breath as she finished telling her side of the story. Ayla couldn't take her eyes of her friend as she felt her chest sink. Riley had definitely had it worse than her. She now knew why Riley had been so distant from her. The room was silent for a few moments as Dr. Law finished writing in her notebook. She looked up at Riley. "I know this is cliché, but how do you feel about what happened?"

Riley face contorted into a look of disgust and anger. "I'm fucking pissed!" She yelled as she threw her hands up. "I was supposed to die in that basement...." she whispered as her demeanor changed.  She looked away from the two other women as her gaze seemed far away.

"Why do you seem upset that you survived?" Law asked concentrating on the woman before her. 

Riley slowly turned to look at her. "You really have no idea what its like... That fucking monster beat me to a pulp.... Carved his initials into my chest... He fucking messed with my mind and my body...I was ready for death that night. He took that from me. He is watching me suffer every fucking day. I'm sorry but you really can't help me. I thought you could but I now know you're just like him. False promises." She now stood towering over the doctor. She pointed her trembling finger down at her. "I will not build my hopes up again. You can give me nothing. You cannot fix this. I'm done here." She turned and left the room. Ayla stared shocked at what had just happened. It was certainly not like Riley to act in such a way. Ayla stood and followed her friend out of the office. She caught her right before Riley was about to get into her car. 

"Riley!!!" She yelled running down the stairs and grabbing her friends arm. Riley turned and shoved Ayla back. Ayla looked at her with wide eyes. 

"Stop fucking touching me! You know your lil boyfriend doesn't approve! Just leave me alone Ayla." 

Ayla watched as Riley got in her car and left. Ayla was frozen in shock. Tears pricked at her eyes as she tried to comprehend what was happening. "M-miss? Are you alright?" a soft voice asked in front of her. Ayla looked up to see a young man looking at her curiously. He was wearing an old yellow hoodie and dirty jeans. He looked as if he was in his mid twenties. The guy was smiling at her...at least until he caught a glimpse of her face.  Ayla watched as the young mans smile dropped off his face. She turned from him. 

"I'm okay...thanks." She choked out as she started to walk home. She only got a few steps before the boy spoke again. 

"What happened to your lips and chin?" He asked as he ran up behind her following her strides. 

"Nothing." Ayla answered without stopping. 

"Jack didn't think it was nothing...In fact he
still talks about you, Ayla." The man laughed making Ayla stop dead in her tracks. 

"What did you say?" She asked as she turned to face him. He was gone. "What the actual fuck." she murmured to herself as she continued to look around for the man. She sighed to herself and continued her walk to take her shift at the diner.